The Current 128K Phenomenon

[krye]

Due to the rise of the iPhone and iPad, everyone thinks they're a fanboy now. Rising stock prices? Maybe. People that 2 years ago never so much as touched an Apple computer are now being exposed to "our world". They see an Apple logo and think, "Wow, I bet I can get a ton of money for that. Apple's hot!"

I've seen post after post on eBay of people selling old PowerBook s, etc with the disclaimer. "I don't know anything about this so it's being sold as is" They're obviously not the original owner, came into possession of an old Mac, and they’re trying to sell it for $200.

Anyone else notice that the prices went through the roof after Steve died? People just cashing in. Same as when Michael Jackson died. eBay saw a huge in-rush of Michael Jackson memorabilia going for ridiculous prices.

I remember in 2008, I bought a complete mint condition Mac Plus on eBay for $20 bucks. I bought my SE complete in the carrying case with external 800k drive for $70 bucks. These prices were common. Now people want $300 for a beat up yellowed SE.

Hopefully it dies down soon and the prices go back to being more realistic.

 

[JDW]

Krye, it won't happen anytime soon. I say this unfortunate fact while sharing in your sorrow over the auction sharks. Apple is perpetually in the news because they're doing well. They're making a movie about the life of Steve Jobs, as if the Pirates of Silicon Valley wasn't enough. I don't expect to EBay prices to wane until Apple's popularity wanes, and the media puts less emphasis on Apple. For most people (which exclude most of us), the old adage "out of sight, out of mind" rings true.

 

[sirwiggum]

I see it as a combination of apple riding the crest of the iphone wave and the current trend for retro.

They're like classic cars, people bought up classics in the 80s and then after the 90s recession they weren't worth that much. Enjoy them for what they are but people shouldn't be stockpiling them as an investment.

A lot of people are snapping them up to sell on to make a quick buck. They're likely the same type of wheeler dealers that buy an old car on gumtree and relist it an hour later with a fake service history.

Why do I have 2 compacts then?

I bought the plus about 13 years ago for £5 as I liked the compacts in school and fancied one for home. It didn't work, sat about then went into the attic when I went to university (UK version of 'college'). I picked up the classic 2 from a local art gallery that must have been clearing out, looked in good condition and a reasonable price, local too (difficult to find items locally). Brings back memories of typing articles into the old school newsletter or IT classes, printing your letters from Clarisworks to the Laserwriter.

Yes they may be worth a few pound, but then over the years the caps are likely to leak or some other catastrophe, so I'm not seeing them as long term investments. I would like to keep them as nice as possible and as long as possible, but physics is against that.

I mind I was watching that Pawn Stars on the TV and someone came in with a IIGS and was looking a few hundred dollars. They offered a low price and were in the back playing games on it.