Anyone else noticed the rise in value of compact Macs?

[puckman]

Yup, most collectible Apple items have gone up in value, specially after Steve's death. Kinda painful to think of that seeing I had a WHOLE room full of Apple stuff that I had to get rid of when I moved to Japan.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Dead artist syndrome.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I decided to throw my fully functional Classic on there Sunday night, and it's already up to $81. :O

What a difference compared to when I bought it 3-4 years ago when nobody even thought it was worth the 99-cent opening bid.

 

[sirwiggum]

I noticed it too when I was idly browsing ebay.

Examples like my Mac Classic 2 now go for over £50.

Other machines such as a Commodore 64 in box I noticed at an antiques fair for £200! A boxed ZX Spectrum for £150.

Also, there are a couple of C64 web.its on ebay UK currently for £215-£250!

Kicking myself as I had a C64. Before I moved I also had to get rid of loads of apple gear before the prices shot up, a beige G3, Performa LC475, Classic.

Really must dig out the Mac Plus from my parents loft at some point!

 

[bibilit]

hi,

Here is another example:

Pretty standard SE/30, sold for 700 € (962 $) in France.

http://annonces.ebay.fr/viewad/Apple-mac-se-30/5039500743?bu=http%3A%2F%2Finformatique-pda.shop.ebay.fr%2FMacs-de-bureau-%2F69557%2Fi.html%3F_trksid%3Dp1703029.c0.m282%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0%26_pgn%3D4%26_fln%3D1%26LH_PrefLoc%3D0%26_nkw%3Dapple%26_catref%3D1

Complete,with bag and set of system discs.

 

[tt]

There are definitely some fairly common components going for ~10x what they would about 10 years ago. I doubt it will last very long though.

Systems rising in value is probably a good thing long-term. Collectors with hoards may be more willing to circulate machines that could be sitting in questionable long-term storage scenarios. E-recyclers may have more incentive to put time into selling instead of recycling them.

 

[MacJunky]

The thing about electronics recyclers is that, at least where I am, if someone says "recycle only" their hands are tied. You cannot touch it and it goes straight onto the pallet. Also, they generally do not have the means or knowhow to test old Macs nor are they willing to bring on a special person just to do it.

And even if they have the knowhow, they are not about to spend time recapping boards and hunting for working SCSI drives and whatnot.

 

[tt]

Good point. I have seen more "recycling" companies selling parts though, like floppy drives and boards. However, it is annoying that they are charging prices that are at a level where it makes more sense to just buy another complete system (would rather not) for parts. I wonder if they really have the expertise to test and refurbish them to justify the extra expense.

 

[Unknown_K]

The one recycling company I dealt with locally would charge the same money for a whole vintage system as they would for a part out of it after they stripped it. I guess it is better for them to make some money without having to do any work. Either way none of it was tested, they only did that with newer items meant for systems they referbed (HD's, DVDROM, nwer video cards, power supplies, RAM) and they over charged for those.

 

[macman142]

Wake me up when I can sell my "wall of compacts" for $10k.

Been watching ebay Australia recently at prices for compacts. Bidding usually ends between $50 and $200 each!

I should have put it in here, but I did make a thread a few days ago about a Performa 200 that went for over $300 USD.

Here's the link viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17167

 

[JDW]

Yup, most collectible Apple items have gone up in value, specially after Steve's death. Kinda painful to think of that seeing I had a WHOLE room full of Apple stuff that I had to get rid of when I moved to Japan.

I took my Macs with me when I moved to Japan 17 years ago. One of those was a Mac IIvx that I had upgraded to a Quadra 650 (cost me $1000 at that time). I later sold that Mac to the Japanese company I worked for, for $1200 -- they bought a NuBUS card for it and used it as a 24/7 fax server (which is still in operation, from what I understand).

As to prices of vintage Mac stuff, I am in no way surprised. Sharks swarm when they smell death. And sadly, many are using Steve Jobs to rip people off. One example, I've seen the premier issue of Macworld (with Steve and the 3 Macs on the cover) selling for $100 or less in the past, but now you see the price for that magazine going for between $250 and $500. Absolutely unbelievable.

 

[kem554991]

I snagged a fully functional SE with case, keyboard, mouse, and manuals at the local Goodwill Computerworks for about ten bucks two years ago. If I had any desire to sell it, that thing could go for around $200 in the current market.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Incredible! My Mac Classic closed at $255, and bidder already paid! I thought it was pretty good, until I searched completed auctions and saw other Classics went for $465, $275, and $500!

 

[tt]

Sharks indeed!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190598272356&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

"Since the unfortunate passing of Steve Jobs, these original Mac's are only going increase in value over time."

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Wow, that person even went so far as to Photoshop the image of Steve Jobs into the Mac SE. I didn't mention Steve Jobs at all in my auction, I didn't want to risk sounding tasteless.

 

[highlandcattle]

Well, in belgium compact are still worth next to nothing in total i paid 20 euro for my two SE's and Classic II

 

[tt]

Yeah, I thought that was impressive, though it is inaccurate since there are no black borders:

 

[Scott Baret]

Hmm...I've got an SE I'm not using in my closet and a broken Classic in my garage. The holidays are coming up, which means lots of spending...

Nah, I'm going to hold on to them so I don't have to spend $500 for another one.

 

[JDW]

There's a Mac 128k going for $3000 now on our favorite auction site! It's nice, but nothing extraordinary. 8-o

 

[Bunsen]

Nah, I'm going to hold on to them so I don't have to spend $500 for another one.

Mmm, good point. Anything I sell now, I really should be willing to never see again.