geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bettablue on Wed, 21 September 2011, 09:46:32
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I've noticed that E-Bay has more listings for IBM Model M keyboards than I can count. (Not too hard) It seems that people are discovering the value of selling these things faster than buyers are snatching them up. Today, I say one selling for only $10.00! That one is a 401 model with a ps2 connector. Others are going for as much as $50.00, but there is one thing in common. None of them have any bids. This is curious.
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these are still auctions right? not bin(buy it now) just put a few of those on "watch list" and see what they end up for, usually around 30 to 40 inc shipping.
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That's a good thing right?
Abundance > scarcity?
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Just make sure you get a good look at the model number. You don't want to end up with a PS2 model or the rubber dome. Also, the pictures can be deceiving in terms of color. The keyboard may appear more yellow or more white than the actual product.
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Model Ms don't get yellow.
And what's wrong with PS2?
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Nothing wrong with PS/2. I was thinking of the terminal models. The PS/2 would be the smart way to go.
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I have bought and sold several. I just listed a nice bolt-modded blue label at $100. Interested to see what happens. I plan to drop the price $10 per week until it sells. No filthy lucre for the seller in there at those margins.
Personally, I almost always do BIN as a seller, because I think it is more respectful for everybody involved to see a firm honest price. I would rather drop the price over time than take my chances on who is hot for something this week.
As a buyer, I always use Auction Sniper because I don't want to have to keep going back to an auction to see where it stands, and putting in tall bids early just drives the price way up.
Sniping is very common, and I am surprised, when people seem surprised, that the price went from $3 to $75 in the last 30 seconds.
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My point here is simply that there now a lot more model M keyboards showing up for sale/auction. Some are actually selling with a buy it now option, but the numbers I've seen ove the last few days is highter than I have ever seen them. That's definitley goog for those like my who love model M boards, and yes, a PS2 is definitely the way to go. I personally don't need a blue cube, as my mobo still has PS2 connectors for the keyboard and mouse. When I have to upgrade my computer, then I'll probably need one, but for now, all is good.
I was just curious as to why there are so many selling now. When I was looking for one, there were only a couple for sale at any given time and the prices were crazy high, bolted or not.
I also agree with harrymoss. I love the BIN option. At least you know you're actually buying and not just inflating the price. I really do hate sniping, although I have done it on occasion with mixed results.
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I am more surprised about the Model F ATs. Last spring I started desperately craving one, and until mid-summer there were virtually none for sale on ebay.
Then I strangled myself by bidding way high on the next couple that came along, all I ever wanted was one really nice one.
Sniping is the only way to bid on ebay. Any bid placed directly with ebay starts an upward spiral that can create a too-high price. If I will bid $100 for something and do it through ebay on day 1, the chances of being beaten are pretty high. And almost as bad as if I start at $50 with the intent of going up $10 each time somebody else raises the ante. Plus the time and work of keeping track of it all.
Sniping at $100 means that I know that in the last minute a bid will go in at whatever it needs to be, up to my limit, even if I am asleep at the time.
I can understand that people with a psychological/moral aversion would hate sniping, since you have such a formidable opponent. About the only thing to do is mimic the behavior and put in your high bid at the last minute, assuming that you are sitting at your computer at exactly the right time.