Want a 9-track repair business?

I had three 9-tracks I'd picked up a few years ago. None worked out of the box; they collected dust. Last weekend I knew I'd pass by http://www.comco-inc.com/ in Bettendorf, Iowa, one of the few 9-track sales and service places I'd found. I didn't have much advance warning, so I just brought the drives with me and left them at his door step because the shop was closed. I left an M4 9914, an Overland Data 5622, and an HP 88780. Diagnosis is $495, deductable from repairs if I proceed. Ouch! He says he still sells "a few" 9-tracks a year. His offer to me was a reconditioned HP 88780 for $1795 including manual, cleaning pads and a scratch tape. He said "BIG IDEA... Here's a wonderful chance to corner the 9-track business: I'll sell you 1000 lbs of parts for $1,000 (FOB Bettendorf). I'll even throw in graphics, manuals, etc. At the very least, you will be able to build several drives. I am not kidding." The building he's in has a commercial real-estate "for sale" sign out front. Maybe he was a renter and he needs to move. - John