On Thu, 24 Apr 2003, Adrian Vickers wrote:
> The relative values of things to people - especially collector items - is
> so variable as to be almost meaningless. I'd have happily paid ?100 for a
> Sharp MZ-80K two years ago. Now I'll baulk at anything over about ?25, and
> I'd prefer it free. Why? Because I have two of them now. Their relative
> value to me as a purchaser has changed significantly for reasons which are
> totally unrelated to their "real" value. Same goes for the MZ-80A & B, of
> which I have 2 & 1 examples respectively. I'd still pay ?50 or so for a VGC
> "B", as the one I have has a slightly dubious keyboard & a nasty scratch in
> the screen which I don't think is repairable.
This is a really good point. There has to be an objective value based on
true scarcity (i.e. how many total units produced), not regional
scarcity, and generally acknowledged historical and/or technical
significance. eBay prices do not generally reflect objective value.
I think Michael Nadeau's book made great strides towards this end, but
refinement is still needed.
To be sure, prices for old computers will still not settle in the near
future.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
Received on Fri Apr 25 2003 - 02:10:00 BST