pdp8/f (now Amiga poster)

At 06:57 PM 10/13/99 +0100, Tony Duell wrote: Yes, exactly. Someone on this list warned me these manuals were highly sought. The auction on eBay just ended at $169. I listed the second manual this morning, and I hope it goes for as much. Yes, I rescinded my offer once I realized my mistake. I entertained the notion I was the subject of a joke, frankly. I couldn't believe this manual could be worth ~$200. Wouldn't it be nasty to tell someone that their spare 5 1/4 PC floppy might be worth $300, if you hated eBay? So I sent a note to the several people who'd responded to my free offer, and no one complained outright. Perhaps they ran away in disgust, but I didn't think it was a big deal. You're right, I'd made a mistake. But it was one guy who wasn't even asking for the manual who stepped forward to tell me it was worth considerably more than zero. I was being generous, giving away something I thought had no value. If there was actual money involved - that is, if I'd said I'll sell this manual for $10 and someone stepped forward - well, I'd probably feel the same way you described, a deal's a deal. I have no doubt there that a sense of community ethics arise in mailing lists like this. I don't think I crossed the line. In fact, I certainly thought my penance (to who? The mailing list god?) of offering some rare Amiga-head posters to the list would make up for getting close to the line. I understand the collector / enthusiast / speculator angle. I don't buy the argument that anyone spending too much money on eBay must have a black heart, though. Right now, ~$300 gives me more of a thrill. I have no way of judging the sincerity of those who asked for the free manuals. Do you? How can I distinguish the True SGI Enthusiast from the one without an SGI who will put it on the shelf? As a side note, I have an e-mail folder half-full of similar deals-gone-south. I can't tell you how many times people have offered something here, or on news groups, then not responded, or responded and then never followed through, etc. I don't get too worked up about it. - John