11 Mar
2009
11 Mar
'09
11:31 p.m.
Richard wrote:
What I've noticed on this list is that the people
here have a tendency
to undervalue what other people are willing to pay for vintage computing
gear. Whether that's because they are just too cheap to pay a higher
price or because they are living in a past-time when vintage computing
collecting wasn't popular (I paid $100 11 years ago) or whatever, I
don't know. However, it has been consistent observation in my experience.
I've found this same sentiment uttered on many collector listserves and
suspect it is related to another phenomena (not cheapness). Since most
on each list are active participants in the collecting community in
question (vintage computing here) they are much more aware of the
opportunities, where they are likely to crop up, and often get a
favorable price from sellers who are willing to sell for less money and
aggravation than selling normally requires.
Many ebayers aren't tied into this underground, and will pay more since
that is the major (only?) place they can buy material.
I also buy/sell/collect microscopes and other scientific apparatus.
I've noticed this same tendency in myself - feeling that many seller
prices are outrageous given what I've been successful buying things for
in the past. But I've come to realize that I know what constitutes a
good value, and only buy in those instances I think I'm getting a good
price (or at least a workable one). So I don't cast bad words on those
sellers anymore - they're just pricing based on their experience with
how rare something is - no more and no less. Unless of course they're
crooks. <grin>
Best,
John