C= prices going crazy

[WelshWizard]

a number of C64's were listed on TM apart from Carcenomy who got one for a small price all the rest of the stuff went high for untested stuff
untested 1541 $44 and another for $45
C64 No PSU and no full test other than the light comes on $60
and an Oz made one went for $81
last I saw for the dataset 1531 was $14.50

all good for those who have some already but is it good for the vintage scene? I may even flick some of mine off if prices keep going up like this.

[Carcenomy]

To be honest I'm just more suprised that we both managed to get what we did for fair prices. I'm expecting both items will be knackered, but it was worth the go!
Commodore pricing in New Zealand is bizarre - they held a freaking huge market share here, there's more of them in circulation than any other vintage machine yet the pricing somehow manages to stay more inline with what's being paid internationally regardless, even on components of dubious quality...

[WelshWizard]

To be honest I'm just more suprised that we both managed to get what we did for fair prices. I'm expecting both items will be knackered, but it was worth the go!
Commodore pricing in New Zealand is bizarre - they held a freaking huge market share here, there's more of them in circulation than any other vintage machine yet the pricing somehow manages to stay more inline with what's being paid internationally regardless, even on components of dubious quality...

International I can get C64c's for 10 Euro plus postage, and that is tested and working fine, just waiting to see how much the postage is, ( with out the brick )


I notice it was the same bidder who took most of the other C= stuff not sure who VIC20 is but I check his previous bidding history and it seem to be mostly old laptops he buy and sells

[Carcenomy]

OH! I thought you'd got that 1541 for $10.50, didn't realize that it got up to $45. That's absurd...

[lizardb0y]

It has been a slow but relentless upwards creep over many years. It always surprises me when I see things (ZX81 - mentally pegged at $5-$10) sell for substantially more (ZX81s selling for $70-$100 in working condition), but when I think about it, it has been almost 15 years since I set that mental price. Times change. I think the plan is to catch them when they're only recently old (Last year I picked up a few early model PlayStations for a few bucks each).

The first breadbin C64 I bought was 50c or $1 in a lot with a bunch of tapes back in 1997 or thereabouts. They were common as muck, and nobody wanted them. Now people want them and they're not nearly as regularly seen for sale. Old hardware seldom comes up at school fairs, garage and jumble sales any more, so we rely more and more on the dealers (both profesisonal and amateur) who spend the time finding these things and charging a premium reselling through Trade Me.

[tezza]

Yes prices are rising and it's not surprising. Although millions of C64s were made they are getting less common. They are classic machines associated with the formative years of many so nostalgia is a big factor too.

[WelshWizard]

Well it makes the most expensive one I purchased seem cheep $108 came with Monitor Disk Drive, K/B ( one key broken) but tested and loaded games.
Just the key that's the problem as its broken off at the base, not just popped off, looking for a spare as at the moment I don't want to break any of the spare C= as I think they all maybe easy repairs.

It would seem its not just C=

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =441386820
standing at $101 with 5hrs to go

[WelshWizard]

Just found this


"The commodore 64 is, along with the Apple II and the Atari XL computers, the most famous home computer. According to the 2001 edition of Guinness book of records, the C64 was the most "prolific computing device ever manufactured". During its production run from 1982 to... 1993, about 30 million (!) units were sold. To put this number in perspective, that's more than all the Macintoshes in the world. "

at this address

http://www.4keyboard.com/commodore64non ... p-141.html

[lizardb0y]

For a very detailed and well researched article on various personal computer sales figures through the 70s, 80s and 90s, go check out http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2005 ... share.ars/

There's a detailed analysis of Commodore 64 sales figures here: http://www.pagetable.com/?p=547

[Carcenomy]

Wasn't that a C64C that you bought for $108 WelshWizard? If this one I just bought works out I can send you the keyboard from my dead, mismatched one?

[WelshWizard]

sounds good

[tezza]

For a very detailed and well researched article on various personal computer sales figures through the 70s, 80s and 90s, go check out http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2005 ... share.ars/

There's a detailed analysis of Commodore 64 sales figures here: http://www.pagetable.com/?p=547

Yes, I've read that document Andrew. It's a good one and puts some myths to bed regards the TRS-80 vrs Apple in the days of the "trinity". Recommended.

[WelshWizard]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =443987407

Right royal battle

Bid history

The reserve price was: $50.00 the reserve price has been met
$315.12 4 Feb 6:35 pm ddr8 (400 )
$310.12 4 Feb 6:34 pm vic20 (228 )
$305.12 4 Feb 6:34 pm ddr8 (400 )
$305.11 4 Feb 6:34 pm vic20 (228 )
$300.11 4 Feb 6:32 pm ddr8 (400 )
$295.11 4 Feb 6:31 pm vic20 (228 )
$290.11 4 Feb 6:31 pm ddr8 (400 )
$290.05 4 Feb 6:31 pm vic20 (228 )

Sold for $315.12
I am beginning to think the one site that claims prices on Old Systems goes crazy in summer time is right,

[lizardb0y]

I seem to remember picking up a working Vic-20 from the Vinnie's next to my old work for $2. They only wanted 50c, but I talked them into taking the whole $2.

The real question is; is this a bubble, or long term trend? (aka Is now the time to rationalise my collection?)

[tezza]

Well, as mentioned here, I got a working Vic-20, a working ZX-Spectrum, a few fixable Apple IIes plus some other gear all up for $16.

That notwithstanding however, the price of vintage computers, particularly the classic models, will increase in price. Not enough to retire on, but ones in good condition and working will fetch more than just junkyard prices.