Mac128
Well-known member
Although often discussed, I have been tracking 128K units sold on eBay for over 2 years now and lately I am noticing a disturbing rise in prices and am at a loss to explain it.
First, aren't we in a global economic recession? Second, it's not like the 128K is particularly rare, as the links I will post below will attest (over 10 units in only two months. And I assure you this is normal for 128Ks, there is NOTHING rare about them.
Now to quash some aspects of this discussion before they get started ... PLEASE DON'T discuss specific sellers or the prices they charge (i.e starting price or BIN). That's NOT what this is about. I want to have a serious discussion about the motivations behind the inflated prices buyers pay for these Macs on eBay from all sellers, not one in particular. If you take it to that negative seller-bashing place, the discussion will be shut down, and nothing will get discussed. So if that's what you want to do, move on please.
While we are used to complete Mac systems that ship in original boxes, in original condition, with original accessories, that sell in the $1,000+ range, I'm seeing an alarming rise in selling prices of dead 128Ks and upgraded to 512Ks, without much else of value in the auctions.
What's behind this?
My personal theory is that the prices are being driven up by resellers who are buying up upgraded and dead 128Ks in order to fix and/or restore them. Imagine, you buy a 512K upgraded 128K for $365, replace the logicboard with a 128K one (two on eBay recently for $79 ea.), and then turn around and sell it for almost double. Whether a re-seller wins the auction or not, it forces the average collector to step up to the league of the professional seller who intends to reap the highest profits possible, and also reducing the number of fixer-uppers available for the do-it-yourself experience which is so intrinsic to many of us who are more invested in our Macs than just the bottom line.
$565
$430 This one was not even an original 128K but the second generation model!
$365 This one has been upgraded to 512K!
$850
$158 This one doesn't even work!
$1200
$520
$1294
$1025
$731
First, aren't we in a global economic recession? Second, it's not like the 128K is particularly rare, as the links I will post below will attest (over 10 units in only two months. And I assure you this is normal for 128Ks, there is NOTHING rare about them.
Now to quash some aspects of this discussion before they get started ... PLEASE DON'T discuss specific sellers or the prices they charge (i.e starting price or BIN). That's NOT what this is about. I want to have a serious discussion about the motivations behind the inflated prices buyers pay for these Macs on eBay from all sellers, not one in particular. If you take it to that negative seller-bashing place, the discussion will be shut down, and nothing will get discussed. So if that's what you want to do, move on please.
While we are used to complete Mac systems that ship in original boxes, in original condition, with original accessories, that sell in the $1,000+ range, I'm seeing an alarming rise in selling prices of dead 128Ks and upgraded to 512Ks, without much else of value in the auctions.
What's behind this?
My personal theory is that the prices are being driven up by resellers who are buying up upgraded and dead 128Ks in order to fix and/or restore them. Imagine, you buy a 512K upgraded 128K for $365, replace the logicboard with a 128K one (two on eBay recently for $79 ea.), and then turn around and sell it for almost double. Whether a re-seller wins the auction or not, it forces the average collector to step up to the league of the professional seller who intends to reap the highest profits possible, and also reducing the number of fixer-uppers available for the do-it-yourself experience which is so intrinsic to many of us who are more invested in our Macs than just the bottom line.
$565
$430 This one was not even an original 128K but the second generation model!
$365 This one has been upgraded to 512K!
$850
$158 This one doesn't even work!
$1200
$520
$1294
$1025
$731