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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ander on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:05:27

Title: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: ander on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:05:27
It seems we've been using GF to also discuss less-than-great "finds"—so, here's one:


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Will someone please tell me why people are bidding $100 + $20 shipping for a 1996 Lexmark Model M? Just because it's clean?
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: pr0ximity on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:07:19
reddit, mostly. I swear every time I read a discussion there the prices are silly.

Coming from a person who frequents reddit and enjoys it quite a bit over there at times, btw. It has its place, but the explosion of people has had some interesting side effects. Especially when coupled with the rest of the reddit ecosystem's culture.

EDIT: You should see the market for Korean customs. I thought I paid a pretty large sum for mine and I'm fairly confident even I could make a sizeable profit currently.
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: chyros on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:35:22
1996 should be one of the last ones made though, right?
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: Techno Trousers on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:56:02
From my own observations, I think the 1391401 model number commands a semi-premium price. Of course we all know that it's silly, but for whatever reason that model number has really captured a place in the hearts of the non or semi enthusiasts out there.

I saw a seller list three separate Model Ms in a row, and the 1391401 had a $10 higher starting price for no apparent reason.
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 19 February 2016, 21:58:26
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:56:02
From my own observations, I think the 1391401 model number commands a semi-premium price.

I had no idea that they were still numbering blue labels 1391401 as late as 1996.

Personally, I would prefer a Lexmark-branded specimen if it was made by Lexmark.
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: ander on Sat, 20 February 2016, 01:01:07
Quote from: pr0ximity on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:07:19
reddit, mostly. I swear every time I read a discussion there the prices are silly... Coming from a person who frequents reddit and enjoys it quite a bit over there at times, btw. It has its place, but the explosion of people has had some interesting side effects. Especially when coupled with the rest of the reddit ecosystem's culture.

EDIT: You should see the market for Korean customs. I thought I paid a pretty large sum for mine and I'm fairly confident even I could make a sizeable profit currently.

Thanks for your input... However, I don't understand what you mean about Reddit having something to do with it. So people mention a certain eBay listing there, which causes people to bid on it whether it's especially worthwhile or not? The sheer power of suggestion?

And maybe I'm just being dense, but what could Korean customs possibly have to do with this? That seems like a rather marvelous non sequitur (which I could also appreciate).


Quote from: fohat.digs on Fri, 19 February 2016, 21:58:26
Personally, I would prefer a Lexmark-branded specimen if it was made by Lexmark.

Lexmark-numbered, you mean?
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: pr0ximity on Sat, 20 February 2016, 05:16:16
Quote from: ander on Sat, 20 February 2016, 01:01:07
Quote from: pr0ximity on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:07:19
reddit, mostly. I swear every time I read a discussion there the prices are silly... Coming from a person who frequents reddit and enjoys it quite a bit over there at times, btw. It has its place, but the explosion of people has had some interesting side effects. Especially when coupled with the rest of the reddit ecosystem's culture.

EDIT: You should see the market for Korean customs. I thought I paid a pretty large sum for mine and I'm fairly confident even I could make a sizeable profit currently.

Thanks for your input... However, I don't understand what you mean about Reddit having something to do with it. So people mention a certain eBay listing there, which causes people to bid on it whether it's especially worthwhile or not? The sheer power of suggestion?

And maybe I'm just being dense, but what could Korean customs possibly have to do with this? That seems like a rather marvelous non sequitur (which I could also appreciate).

You asked why the price was so high. It's because the explosive growth in demand.
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: chyros on Sat, 20 February 2016, 05:26:12
Quote from: fohat.digs on Fri, 19 February 2016, 21:58:26
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Fri, 19 February 2016, 19:56:02
From my own observations, I think the 1391401 model number commands a semi-premium price.

I had no idea that they were still numbering blue labels 1391401 as late as 1996.
Well, the '1401 is just the part number for non-square detachable two-part American Model Ms isn't it? That's why there are so many of them.

From what I've seen though, square-badge or industrial seems to fetch from than 1401 (and for good reason).
Title: Re: $100 for pretty ordinary Model M?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 20 February 2016, 07:39:22
Quote from: fohat.digs on Fri, 19 February 2016, 21:58:26

Personally, I would prefer a Lexmark-branded specimen if it was made by Lexmark.


Looking at this again, they seem to be even more uncommon than I had thought, only the 1398601:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard