New (but selling used) computer shop, and hauls

From: Mzthompson_at_aol.com <(Mzthompson_at_aol.com)>
Date: Thu Jul 18 20:28:01 2002

There seems to be a number of shops springing up around here selling
used Wintel. I try to visit each new one just to see what is what.
Most times, one visit is enough.

The latest one was an experience. The owner knows absolutely nothing beyond
Intel. On the first visit, he took me to one back room. It is full of
of Apple stuff and more. He mentioned some keyboards in another back room
and said they use a modular phone plug. We went for a look and he held
one up with the keys facing me. I told him to look at the tag, it should
say LK401. His mouth dropped open. Also had a couple IBM model M keyboards.
I was then out of time and had to leave.

On my next visit I made a couple of offers and picked up some stuff.
The first was the box full of LK201/401/402 keyboards. Just over a
dozen for $5 for the box. Also got three Apple IIc's with power supplies,
but no monitors nor mice. I suspect they are there if I were to dig deep
enough. A friend wanted these and was content to get just the machines
for $5 each.

A rough list of known Apple stuff remaining is 6 SE's, 6 ImageWriters,
5 or 6 external drives, 3 GS's, and a scanner. There was three
LaserWriter II's the first time and he seemed willing to sell them for
around $10 each. However, I goofed by not taking them then and there.
Someone offered him $50 each before I got back. My friend and I are
trying to decide what to offer for the remaining Apple pile.

After having sold some stuff (i.e. cash in his pocket), he was eager to
show me some more old stuff in the basement. He mentioned having a lot
of terminals down there and I assumed might be DEC to go with the keyboards.
Nope, most it was absolutely total junk.

He is quite proud of his store and proud of the fact that he is doing
a booming business selling internet ready 486 machines for $50. A lot
of those sales are made because he is willing to extend financing to
his customers. Yep, that's right, customers financing a $50 computer.
He wasn't too happy when I told him I give them away because I got
more of than I know what to do with from people bringing them by all
the time and other sources.

I have since been told by a more 'upscale' store that he is bugging them
all the time, wanting technical advice and the like.

Oh well, each to his own.

Mike
Received on Thu Jul 18 2002 - 20:28:01 BST