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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: MissileMike on Sun, 24 October 2010, 10:49:15

Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 24 October 2010, 10:49:15: Here it is (http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Space-Saver-Clicky-Keyboard-NIB-/170556745623?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27b5f96797)

Let's see how high it goes. I am thinking about bidding 200 right off the bat :o
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jpc on Sun, 24 October 2010, 11:48:26: Quote from: MissileMike;237963
Here it is (http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Space-Saver-Clicky-Keyboard-NIB-/170556745623?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27b5f96797)

Irony:

Our trolls profess their love for old Windows versions.

Meanwhile, the world's only reliable provider of mint condition Model M space saving keyboards has what appears to be a windows 2000 reference in his ebay username.

Dear comptek, we love you and we need you to change...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 08:13:32: Not even 24 hours and it's already up to 177$

This one may hit 300$
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 09:16:53: Minis, I am on a quest for minis.

The current high bidder has purchased at least two from comptek already, and appears to be some kind of typewriter collector with an unlimited budget. Not easy to bid against!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kriminal on Mon, 25 October 2010, 12:37:55: Good Luck with acquiring that NIB IBM ssk, i got my blue label and black label mini used...
might tackle a NIB mini after a get a topre keyboard :)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: Zen on Mon, 25 October 2010, 12:42:01: Hehe ..
I made a bid, 175$, just to teach the opportunists a lesson.
Anyone making a bid less than 150$ is insulting the seller IMO..
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: zefrer on Mon, 25 October 2010, 12:57:53: It's ebay. The bots don't bid until the last minute
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 13:11:18: Comptek starts the bidding and lets the buyer set the price. He(she) isn't insulting anyone.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 13:20:43: Now I'm afraid to bid because I will definitely be insulting someone no matter what.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Mon, 25 October 2010, 13:29:35: Seems someone with the user jacobsenjw is buying all comptekw2k NIBs, ATM he's the highest bidder a***b(2768) at $203.50 with just under 6 days to the end.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 13:40:20: Yes, that guy.... He buys tons of typewriter stuff too, lots of model m keyboards, and seems to have an unlimited budget.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: Zen on Mon, 25 October 2010, 15:16:35: Kishy, I tend to agree with you that some sort of scam is happening right before our eyes..
On the other hand, being located in Denmark, Europe, I can not recall having seen a Beemer space-saver around here, EVER ...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kill will on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:19:50: I am sure glad I went on my space saving binge (i bought 5) over 18 months ago when the prices were $75-125.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:24:53: I don't think there is a shill. The bidders who are winning and coming in 2nd have long histories on ebay of keyboard buying from many, many sellers.

Have you ever tried to find one outside of ebay? I can't find any outside of ebay even for sale.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:35:02: Quote from: jpc;238012

Our trolls profess their love for old Windows versions.

Get off OCN!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:36:48: Quote from: Zen;238567
Kishy, I tend to agree with you that some sort of scam is happening right before our eyes.....
I agree with you both, there's a very slight possibility we maybe wrong but the facts speaks otherwise. It is very difficult to believe a seasoned buyer/seller with 2768 feedbacks would place such a high bid on the 1st. day of a Listing. I may consider myself to be stupid but it would take more subtle deviousness to make a monkey out of me......

Ummm...........am I been dubbed into promotional advertisements again ???
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:41:02: Ebay auctions that go from low prices to beyond previous market values on opening day, sometimes in just a couple of hours, then basically sitting there until just before auction ends is a typical pattern for shill bids. People drive the price up, then hope to be outbid at the end, protecting their investment or driving it up for the seller. It might not have anything to do with the seller, it could be collectors driving prices or another dealer sitting on a stack of them waiting for the current seller to run out of stock.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:41:56: But who is it who keeps buying these Minis?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:44:15: If you create enough stir, then the general public will pay what "the going rate is" whether it's artificial or truly driven by supply/demand. So many people are buying the minis, but the price is higher than the true market should have made it, based on the pattern of bids that you see on these auctions.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 16:48:48: I noticed your ortek fetched a hefty price today, didjamatic. No shill bidding there. I am sitting on an identical keyboard and might put it up.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Mon, 25 October 2010, 17:09:11: Quote from: MissileMike;238640
I noticed your ortek fetched a hefty price today, didjamatic. No shill bidding there. I am sitting on an identical keyboard and might put it up.

I would like to buy it for a true market price of $38, PM sent. :tongue:
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 17:16:03: Quote from: J888www;238656
I would like to buy it for a true market price of $38, PM sent. :tongue:

I would like to sell it for the price didja sold his:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190453426432&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190453426432&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kill will on Mon, 25 October 2010, 18:29:00: I used to do some shill bidding. It is a good tactic for selling rare cars and other rare higher priced commodities. All you need are friends/family with accounts to bid on your goods. Then a very dumb person will walk in at the end and buy it for an outrageous price that you tested and maximized through shill bidding. That's the beauty, there is USUALLY that one dumb rich person aka webwit lol and if there isn't, you can always try again pretty easily.

webwit is not a shill bidder. he is the fish, or whale lol

Also in the ebay world, if a product gets shill bid up to lets say $1000 when the going rate is only $300. The next auction for the same product is obviously going to be much higher than $300 because people new to the product will think "this is a good deal since the last one went for $1000"

That's why I foresee the next m15 selling for over $1200 even though 2 years ago they were going for $600 range.

It is definitely simple economics at play, BUT shill bidding may have occurred at some point to manipulate the price.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Mon, 25 October 2010, 18:56:11: Quote from: kill will;238677
That's the beauty, there is USUALLY that one dumb rich person aka webwit lol and if there isn't, you can always try again pretty easily.

webwit is not a shill bidder. he is the fish, or whale lol
How courageous. You obviously do not know Webwit.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kill will on Mon, 25 October 2010, 19:03:21: {EDIT}

lol

WEBWIT is the greatest keyboard collector in the world

lol
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kriminal on Mon, 25 October 2010, 19:22:25: heh a lurker spitting hate in webwits face... wow
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kill will on Mon, 25 October 2010, 19:32:21: Ripster this is wheels83. you are quite the character. Even though you have just brought my mother into this conversation. I still think you are a great dude lol

I am starting to remember why I stopped visiting this forum though haha

That keyboard may very well be a Comptekw2K. I probably bought 2 keyboards from him over 18 months ago. I know its key action was my favorite out the 8 minis I have owned. I have given 5 of them away to friends because I felt they needed to experience buckling springs.

Why are you so defensive? And about all things, webwit?!?!

I don't get it.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 19:56:32: What I was saying was that when an auction gets a crapload of bids on day 1 or even hour 1, it's usually people just bidding to drive the price that don't actually intend to buy it. If you really wanted to buy it for your own use, you would be smarter than that and wait until later on to drop the big bids.

But I don't think this is a grossly overpriced keyboard by any means. I'd pay $200 for one in the box for sure. A good deal more if it was industrial. (nudge Ripster) It's just that those early bids are clearly not by someone wanting to win it at a low price, that's all I'm saying.

As for the price of the Ortek, those are as rare as they come. And all of them I've seen have sold for more than $170 on ebay so that is no surprise. I absolutely love that keyboard and apparently I'm not alone. For good reason it is a standout among the mechanical compacts, but very very hard to find. The hand full I got were pristine and being fukka switches iced the cake.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 25 October 2010, 20:00:05: I opened my bid at 150 for the last two auctions. I was still interested when it hit 200 but backed off when it went higher. I know there is a lot of interest in these keyboards and have no expectation of scoring one for less than 150. I guess I don't know how to bid properly...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 20:02:31: I think Computekw2k is a fine seller, I've spoke with him a couple of times.

So you'll sell me your industrial mini for less than $200? :)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 25 October 2010, 20:12:19: This is reminding me of high school.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Mon, 25 October 2010, 22:20:49: Comptek always puts his items up at the same time. I was waiting for this one to show up, maybe others were too, and so they got excited and bid.

Maybe I should hold on to that Ortek...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: zefrer on Tue, 26 October 2010, 07:07:05: Guys guys.. There's no harm in disagreeing, or arguing but can we please lay off the name calling and **** (see what I did there?). This isn't high school.

Take some recreational whatever and relax.. :D

Lovely keyboard tho.. NIB.. damn.
Someone mentioned not knowing how to bid on ebay. Here's a tip, pick an auction with a lot of interest and see how many bids come in the last minute.. Then see where the bids came from and how frequently one user account bid in that last minute or last few minutes.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 26 October 2010, 07:35:10: Edit: Kishy contacted me and explained what happened.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 26 October 2010, 07:37:10: No, IIRC, he left because he was having his posts (and not others') deleted in the GHSS thread.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: zefrer on Tue, 26 October 2010, 08:04:31: Yes I can see that you ignore what people say and just snipe at the last minute whatever you feel like...

Look up the definition of what that is if you want. But you'll just ignore this anyway
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: zefrer on Tue, 26 October 2010, 08:27:54: I don't think you understand. I was referring to the fact that if you bid with still days to go the price _will_ get inflated. If you don't bid at all and setup a snipe bid at the last minute with a limit at the highest value you are willing to spend you are much more likely to get a better price than bidding early.

I never said the point was to win, I was referring to ways to make your (plural) bids 'better'.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Tue, 26 October 2010, 08:33:45: Quote from: MissileMike;238738

Maybe I should hold on to that Ortek...

Don't be silly, that Ortek is the worst keyboard in your whole collection, get rid of it quick as possible. I am willing to offer an extremely generous market value price of US$42 and you pay for the cost of Shipping. PM sent. :tongue:

Edit: Offer retracted, but I will be still accept that Ortek and you still pay cost of shipping and that's the final offer. At a later stage, if you want to get rid of it, I shall charge you a fee.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:31:01: I will consider your generous offer, J888www :)

btw, a terminal space saver M went for only 41$ last week, I planned to snipe it and was prepared to go up to 100$, but was in a meeting and couldn't excuse myself to bid. That's the downside of sniping- maybe some bidders aren't going to be around when the auction ends. Are there tools that can do this for you?

EDIT: There are plenty of sniping tools. Damnit I am stupid.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:59:01: Quote from: ripster;238848
Now THIS was a great deal. Complicated White ALPS clickys. I paid less (including shipping) for this than what the seller paid in shipping.
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6242&stc=1&d=1260337174)

Did you buy that from me?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Thu, 28 October 2010, 08:56:51: his items sell for that much because they are desirable by other member in the keyboard community.

Its not shill bidding is how bad do you want that item.

Heck my own M13 sold for 152.00 just last month when others where not reaching that mark and eventhough I had placed a reasonable BIN for 110.00 it still sold for 152.00.

I know for my sake it boggles my mind how this seller is constantly putting space savers sale.

I am not a space saver kind of guy, I use the enter key from the key pad more than the enter from the main block of keys. (I cant lose that key!!)

Now if there was a space saver from 1985 or 1986 I would atleast consider it if I could place a silver label on it! Hahahaha
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 28 October 2010, 10:56:51: Quote from: ripster;238948
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6240&stc=1&d=1260333575)

Holy smokes that is awesome packaging! Not only is there no padding, but there's 2 keyboards to clank together!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 28 October 2010, 10:58:16: I like the few pieces of paper like it's a half-ass attempt at padding.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: DesktopJinx on Thu, 28 October 2010, 11:39:04: I am enjoying the cognitive dissonance between the box's "Girl Stuff" label (in magenta marker) and the contents.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kriminal on Thu, 28 October 2010, 12:09:38: Quote from: didjamatic;239833
Holy smokes that is awesome packaging! Not only is there no padding, but there's 2 keyboards to clank together!

see now the rubberdome was placed to "cushion" the other keyboard..
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sat, 30 October 2010, 20:36:37: The a***b person buys tons of typewriter keys too. I am betting he is making steampunk keyboards.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 30 October 2010, 22:09:57: Quote from: ripster;239861
I just think you and Didja are just sour grape Ebay competitors spreading FUD.

Ease up there rippy. All I said was that when you see people hammering in high bids on day 1 it is typically buyers wanting to drive the price up and who enjoy the novelty of seeing something they already own go for high dollars. No one including Bigpook who drops a $150 bid on day 1 expects to win it, so why bid? It's to draw attention to the auction and participate in a push for a higher price. There's nothing wrong with it, bid how you will. I've done the same thing on keyboards, but bidding with intent to win is different than bidding to drive a price high or spectating as the prices increase.

Now here is where I screwed up:

The mistake was that I thought any bid with intent to drive a price up without winning it was a shill bid, but apparently I was mistaken. A shill is someone working with the seller, pretending to not have any association with them. And I didn't suspect that because the field of buyers is diverse, it's not just 1-2 people winning it and many who have won are on this forum.

There's no sour grapes here. I just misunderstood the term.

Oh and I'd sell that AAPL.

(http://blog.oxagile.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/android_apple.jpg)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 31 October 2010, 09:08:05: I did the same thing on the current comptekw2k offering and it went over 200, which is my stopping point. If I didn't bid at all, it would still be going for the high price. I am not the only one that wants one.
My way may not be the best way, but I have scored 4 Model M Mini's doing this.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 31 October 2010, 10:01:32: Shill bidding, bidding too early...whatever. It is all academic to me. The bottom line is someone will pay X amount of dollars for whatever given widget.
If someone is 'shilling' and the price goes over what I was willing to pay, then guess what, I lose the bid. I make some effort to look at past prices to see where the number 'should' be. In the case of the mini's they are in the 200+ range. Like I said, I am ok up to 200. Which is why I haven't scored any lately : )

Now, months from now if for some reason the price drops because demand drops and we are now talking 100 dollars then good for me. What sucks is if someone really wants one but can't afford the high price. So that person is left out in the cold, too bad. Buy a filco with blue cherries and move on. Or keep saving : )

I look at things differently, so feel free to flame me. If I need toilet paper, I go to Walmart and get the jumbo pack. Its the cheapest TP I can get with the most rolls. But we are talking about commodity products, I want the cheaper/lower price.

Keyboards that are no longer produced and that are 'limited in supply' are a different story. And really the only 'value' is the 'value' I place on it, not the seller. A seller is nothing if he doesn't have a buyer, right?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 31 October 2010, 10:50:34: haha : ) thats pretty trippy. There must be some magic aura that surrounds these keyboards or we geeks are just insane. lol.
comptekw2k must be laughing all the way to the bank.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 31 October 2010, 10:59:13: I have a few now, and there is something about them, not sure what it is, but I love them. And the saddest part is I use filco browns as my daily keyboards, but I still want more minis!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 12:24:59: I dont believe the hype... whats soo special about a smaller model M? Come on really it works in the same way as a normal model m and plus you get to keep the numpad section.

Why would you want to pay more for something that is not even complete!

In the same way that I can turn around and say that the m's from 1985 are the best!

this is just a rant dont take me seriously
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: elbowglue on Sun, 31 October 2010, 12:46:14: It seems you could save a whole lot of money buying a regular model M or endurapro and cutting off the numpad section. But then it wouldn't be as sexy and isn't that the main reason we buy keyboards? :)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 12:51:28: Quote from: kishy;240781
stacking them on a shelf though...waiting for an opportunity to sell them for $500 each.

He is investing for the future

Quote from: elbowglue;240782
It seems you could save a whole lot of money buying a regular model M or endurapro and cutting off the numpad section. But then it wouldn't be as sexy and isn't that the main reason we buy keyboards? :)

everything is sexy depending on how you look at them.

Ex. my wife is very pretty but only depends in what angle you are looking and what type of light is on.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 31 October 2010, 13:07:10: I like the Mini form factor better versus the full size. It takes up less space. I really like BS keys too. Unicomp makes a decent keyboard, but they don't have tenkeyless version, too bad, I would certainly buy one.
So if you like tenkeyless, and BS keys, than the IBM mini is the only choice out there.

I would think there is a very, very small group of people that would be that passionate about it, but they do exist. And it looks like they are willing to pay for it too.

I don't care too much for conspiracy theories. I suppose someone could be hoarding them to make a killing sometime in the future, but that doesn't seem very rational to me.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 13:29:19: Rip I'll trade you my wife for an Industrial Model M from 1985
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 31 October 2010, 13:49:20: They didn't make an Industrial mini in 1985. The only industrial Model M Space Saving keyboards had the oval label which didn't exist until later. No silver label "mini" Model M was ever made. (I'm talking a standard AT compatible Model M, not terminal keyboards)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:05:17: My wife is cute, so I won't trade her for your industrial mini, but I would happily offer my dog, a 12 year old "vintage" Jack Russell Terrier. I suspect she will be easier to take care of than KillerBee's wife.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:26:51: hahahaha!!

Mind you my wife is very understanding, she lets me have atleast 3 keyboards (home/office/office) (she did make me sell the other just because I was not using them) all the audio gear I have plus a hobby car!

I think ugly or not with a wife like this I think I'll hold on to her for now. Sorry rip no deal.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:28:58: Quote from: didjamatic;240799
They didn't make an Industrial mini in 1985

I know that, I was referring to a full size M.

Believe me if they did I'd probaly have it.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: KillerBee on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:31:47: MissileMike's wife

(http://www.techchee.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/angel-kitty-usb-bra-keyboard-020807.jpg)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:35:46: Quote from: KillerBee;240823
MissileMike's wife

Show Image
(http://www.techchee.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/angel-kitty-usb-bra-keyboard-020807.jpg)

I would like to add that I have 40 keyboards and she doesn't care.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jpc on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:38:47: Quote from: kishy;240770
You keep posting that, but it keeps not applying because it's still only one seller, one keyboard, and one person willing to pay for it.

It applies. Unicomp could build SSKs. As could anyone else; the patents are expired.

If demand were higher, they would be.

Demand is not so high. The Model M is a niche item and the SSK is a niche within a niche. The market is meeting that small demand with a small supply, reallocating existing SSKs to the people who want or need them most. It's an equilibrium.

I would like to imagine that a better equilibrium is possible. Dear Steve Jobs, please buy Unicomp, build the SSK, bundle them with new Mac desktops, and tell the world how great they are...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: woody on Mon, 01 November 2010, 10:11:08: Quote from: MissileMike;240807
... but I would happily offer my dog, a 12 year old "vintage" Jack Russell Terrier.

I can haz the dawg?
________
Acura Legend specifications (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Acura_Legend)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Mon, 01 November 2010, 17:29:18: Quote from: woody;241096
I can haz the dawg?
No, I can haz dat delicious dawg.

Is my eyesight becoming clearer or am I wrong in that Angel Kitty needs to shave armpit ?

Picture of my late wife. :sad: I was so proud.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: zefrer on Thu, 04 November 2010, 05:11:35: You're a monkey (no offense, I believe in equal rights for monkeys everywhere) and you're worrying about unshaved armpits? Metrosexual monkey?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 07 November 2010, 18:37:41: It is Sunday night after the off-week and old faithful has yet to erupt. No mini from comptekw2k on ebay.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 08 November 2010, 06:07:53: Maybe there are none left... : (

The last of the V8 Interceptors... a piece of history!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: Shawn Stanford on Mon, 08 November 2010, 15:07:56: Awesome...
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: ironman31 on Sun, 14 November 2010, 12:43:09: http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Space-Saver-Clicky-Keyboard-NIB-/180587421025?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2a0bd95d61#ht_1340wt_1139

And so they return
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jaynoon on Sun, 14 November 2010, 15:22:45: Quote from: ripster;246718
I think it will sell for market price.

That is incredibly insightful, I would have to agree :p
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: DesktopJinx on Sun, 14 November 2010, 17:53:05: I love conspiracy theories!

Who's behind the pernicious inflation of mini-M prices?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: Buckling_Summer on Mon, 15 November 2010, 01:21:58: Quote from: DesktopJinx;246813
I love conspiracy theories!

Who's behind the pernicious inflation of mini-M prices?

The guy that has been building steampunk model Ms? ;-)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jwj1219 on Sun, 21 November 2010, 08:51:58: Kishy: Does it hurt being wrong all the time? I bought the 4 previous NIB minis. I'm not a shill bidder. I've been working with computers since before they had keyboards and monitors. I started my own business 28 years ago; it's successful, & I do have that kind of disposable income. I used to be a participating member here, but dropped it when the forums turned into BS sessions. Only 1 person here thought to email and ask me what I was doing with the minis. The reason I started buying them on eBay is because the local supplier I had for them started selling them to Japan for about $1000 each. & no, I am not doing the same.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: kill will on Sun, 21 November 2010, 09:51:46: A new account saying NIB's being re-sold for $1000. Sounds like a shill bidding tactic to me. Well played.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 21 November 2010, 10:47:22: If you have bought the previous 4 Minis, congratulations that's awesome. But that is also a good indicator of why the price has gone up. That's the time frame that they have crossed the $200 mark by a significant margin. Whenever 1 person decides to outbid everyone else on an item that has been relisted multiple times, it tends to drive the price up. There's nothing illegal, immoral, wrong or problematic about it - that's how we determine market value. Unless you know the seller personally of course, then that would be shill bidding. If there were more than 1 of you that were dead set on winning the last 4, the value would be even higher.

A few years ago M13's were the cat's meow and getting up to $300. Now you see them in the $50 range frequently and even a NIB that was just over $100.

M15's were going for very high prices, then quite a few went for $500 and below (with keypad even!), now they're back up high again.

NIB Mini price increase since August:
Sold for $172 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180547471559)
Sold for $212 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180566704048)
Sold for $255 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170551030837)
Sold for $265 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170556745623)
Sold for $300 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180560085886)

One thing is for sure, they are very sought after. It will be interesting to see what happens to their value when the current seller runs out.

Now that winter is here, more people will be indoors buying keyboards so that could add to their value as well.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 21 November 2010, 12:39:57: jwj1219 is legit. He is definitely the bidder he claims to be, because I was the one who contacted him on ebay to see what he was doing with the minis.

Which is more logical: An elaborate conspiracy to drive up the price of space savers, or some guy who builds steampunk keyboards for clients.

PS: I am trying this on one of my 95$ terminal minis.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 21 November 2010, 12:50:57: The Black M13's were really sought after before I got into mechanical keyboards. I read a few articles on mechanicals and they mentioned the rarity of black M13's, which may have contributed to the price spikes.

Maybe it was just the timing of when I looked for them but they seemed to be very expensive every time I checked and the prices routinely reached high 200's.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jwj1219 on Sun, 21 November 2010, 12:54:00: Wrong again, Kishy, on all counts. But think what you like. I'm not new to geekhack, either, as I said. I just had to set up a new account to reply to this nonsense. So tell me, if it's not possible to find out the identity of bidders, how did someone on this forum find my i.d.? Sorry, that's actually a rhetorical question, all anyone has to do is check the feedback ratings to see who bought something, then you can email the bidders. Or just ask the seller who's buying them - no, I don't know the seller. In case no one noticed, I didn't buy this last mini. For those who don't believe the prices these things are bringing overseas, try selling one there. So once again, Kishy, I have to ask, does it hurt being wrong ALL the time?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:01:28: Quote from: ripster;250113
Welcome To Geekhack!

I think "Welcome back to Geekhack" is more appropriate, but who was this masked lone-geeker ?
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:04:51: Wrong all the time is pretty harsh and untrue as Kishy has made a great deal of knowledgeable contributions. Why not pleasantly state facts rather than making it personal? (Or is there more personal history here than I'm aware of? Maybe I don't have the facts.)

Anyway, so are you steampunking these? I'd love to see pics.

I've bought some old typewriters but can't bring myself to destroy them to do a steampunk mod. I end up shining up the typewriters and displaying them in my house instead. I recently got an early 30's Royal that is absolutely stunning. :)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:10:06: I already clarified that I misunderstood the term "shill" and happily ate my own words.

EDIT: I also stated that I have had conversations with the seller and didn't think he was in on anything like that so :p
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:10:09: Quote from: ripster;250179
It's against forum rules to reveal the identity of a Geekhacker.

Curiosity killed the monkey, never expected anyone to reveal anything. I am only guilty of being having my curiosity stirred by self revelation.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: MissileMike on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:16:10: Let's move on and see a steampunk mini!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: msiegel on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:20:19: Quote from: MissileMike;250187
a steampunk mini!

+1!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:20:30: Agreed!
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: J888www on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:23:29: Yes and also more info on how to sell these NIBs to Japan. :madgrin:
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:41:05: Quote from: ripster;250179
It's against forum rules to reveal the identity of a Geekhacker.

So revealing that ripster is really the North American Cherry keyboard distributor would be tacky? or just BS?

+1 to see more steampunks. I made one about three years ago and foolishly sold it before becoming a Geekhack member, where the gloating rights would gain rep +1.
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: TexasFlood on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:47:48: Quote from: ricercar;250193
So revealing that ripster is really the North American Cherry keyboard distributor would be tacky?

The truth is revealed?
(http://estergoldberg.typepad.com/.a/6a0105349ca980970c0133f254029e970b-500wi)
Title: comptekw2k's latest
Post by: jwj1219 on Sun, 21 November 2010, 13:56:58: Ok, maybe Kishy isn't wrong ALL the time, but he's certainly been wrong about me - ALL the time. No, I did not appreciate my eBay i.d. being outed on this site - that shouldn't happen. It's that kind of thing that made me drop out of Geekhack the last time. Well, that and being told, when I had a Vista question, that I should go learn about computers before asking questions on a computer forum. Considering I learned how to program computers back in the days of Fortran and Cobol, that sort of wrankled me.

Selling overseas is a lot of fun... That's sarcasm, the NAFTA agreement stuff you have to go through is a pain, as are all the duty forms you have to fill out for each shipment. I have my business set up for overseas sales, but I dread it every time I receive an order. It may be possible to sell through eBay, but I don't know how well that goes.

I had a supplier in the Philadelphia area who had about 2 dozen minis that were NIB, or NOS to us older hackers (New Old Stock), and I bought them one at a time from him when he set up at a local trade fair. He literally had a Japanese buyer at one of the fairs approach him and agreed to take all his NIB keyboards for between $750 and $950 each, and he had minis, M-13s, M-15s, 401s, and who knows what else. So much for my supplier...

I do three things with the minis. First; I prefer them for my office computers - space is always at a premium on my desks. Second; I adapt the minis to old computerized engraving machines. Take them out of the case and they're close to an exact fit for the old machines, and they plug right in since the machines used similar keyboards. Third; about 15 years ago I used to make what I called Victorian keyboards from the minis - wood frames, leather backing, and engraved brass key caps. I think it's been about 10 years since I made one, but I have a customer who recently ordered 4, if I still made them, so I am. Personally, I like Datamancer's keyboards much better (and I've ordered one of his for myself). If people want to see a photo of them, I'll be happy to post one when they're done.

I am thinking about using old typewriter keycaps for the keys, but I also have a friend and part-time employee who makes jewelry from them - why I buy those. Those bracelets sell really well at flea markets. Who knew?