12 Feb
2003
12 Feb
'03
11:21 p.m.
cctech-request(a)classiccmp.org schrieb am 12.02.2003:
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Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 15:05:43 -0600 (CST)
From: <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu>
To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: DEC xx2247 keys
Reply-To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
I bought a xx2247 key from ebay. Just in case others are planning to do the
same, the key appears to be an almost brand new copy. There is a *slight*
amount of rust in the areas that were cut away, but other than that it is
nice shiny new chrome.
I purchased mine for the starting bid of $10, but they then charged me $10
more for shipping (actual shipping was $4.30), making for an expensive key.
Thats a general problem on Ebay, seller tend to cover their listing-costs into
the "shipping" or "handling" fees they charge. Your only chance to
make this
clear is a mail to the seller on this before you bid. Make clear that you will
only bid if the seller follows the rates of e.g. USPS or some other
shippingcompany. Then you have the choice to take or to leave it.
I called the local locksmith and they will duplicate
this type of key for
$6 each. The other thing to note is that the key I obtained from Ebay auction
is stamped Do Not Duplicate, which the original DEC keys (I have 2) do not say.
I figure they had a original copied a few years back, and added the Do Not
Duplicate just in case a customer needed more than 1 key, so they would
have to pay through the nose for it.
On my PDP8E I have a similar key, also having this text. Thatone is original
however. So there seems to be both versions to be around.
Now I see they have the starting bid boosted to $25, for a non-original
duplicate key, what a load of...
That way too expensive, hope they don't sell it and come back on the carpet.
PS: I happen to have the locking mechanism disconnected from a PDP 8/E
power supply, and before i reinstall it, i plan to bring it and the keys
to that locksmith so i can have some cheaper, 'working' copies of the
key made. I like having a key sitting in the lock ready to turn. If others
need a key, let me know and i'm sure I can get you one for a lot less
than that ebay guy.
Nice offer!
Frank
12 Feb
12 Feb
11:51 p.m.
On Thu, 13 Feb 2003, Frank Arnold wrote:
Not to smack anybody personally, but I see this objection a lot, and
it is sort of irritating.
I don't sell much on ebay, but I do trade and sell a lot of parts.
If I'm a low-volume shipper, and I'm selling something *for a profit*,
$10 S&H is about what it would cost to mail a key. Even if I'm making a
trip to the post office anyway, and using free USPS boxes, the time
spent packaging the item, making labels, and getting to the counter to
pay postage takes a considerable amount of time. My time, especially
during business hours, is expensive. I charge for it. That's the
"handling" part....
I simply factor in the listed S&H as part of the eBay price. If it's
too high, I don't bid. If it's not specified, I don't bid till I've
asked the seller. It's not rocket science. It's also really
presumptuous for me to decide what constitutes reasonable compensation
for someone else's time and trouble.
Doc
cctech-request(a)classiccmp.org schrieb am 12.02.2003:
I purchased
mine for the starting bid of $10, but they then charged me $10
more for shipping (actual shipping was $4.30), making for an expensive key.
Thats a general problem on Ebay, seller tend to cover their listing-costs into
the "shipping" or "handling" fees they charge. Your only chance to
make this
clear is a mail to the seller on this before you bid. Make clear that you will
only bid if the seller follows the rates of e.g. USPS or some other
shippingcompany. Then you have the choice to take or to leave it. 
13 Feb
13 Feb
4:37 p.m.
Not to smack anybody personally, but I see this
objection a lot, and
it is sort of irritating.
I don't sell much on ebay, but I do trade and sell a lot of parts.
If I'm a low-volume shipper, and I'm selling something *for a profit*,
$10 S&H is about what it would cost to mail a key. Even if I'm making a
I simply factor in the listed S&H as part of the
eBay price. If it's
Thats the thing, as long as they disclose whatever sillyass rate they want
to charge, then thats what it is and don't bid if you don't like it.
BUT
$10 S&H for a key, that could easily be dropped in a padded envelope and
mailed for $2, if it WAS NOT disclosed would get a neutral or negative
feedback from me.
7984
days inactive
7985
days old
2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
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doc＠mdrconsult.com -
fm.arnold＠gmx.net -
mikeford＠socal.rr.com