Author Topic: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand  (Read 3815 times)

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Offline JWK

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4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« on: Sat, 23 November 2013, 23:18:45 »
The recent $500 sales seem to have stimulated supply.   Suddenly people are digging through their attics and the shelves in the garage, trying to remember where they put that SSK.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281212417894
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331070405043
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131054936015
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171180810057

Question is, how many $500 buyers are out there?  Has the market suddenly collapsed; the $350 BIN is sitting there, untouched.   Where will the new price point settle; six months ago, these rarely sold over $150. 

It's so exciting to watch economics at work.   

Offline PointyFox

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 23 November 2013, 23:24:07 »
Why do people want them so badly?

Offline JWK

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 23 November 2013, 23:24:59 »
This fellow is so excited at finding a SSK for $0.01 that he's already bid 5 times. 
http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&_trksid=p2047675.l2565&rt=nc&item=171180810057

You can just feel the agony and inner turmoil....
"No, wait,... sombody might figure out that I've bid $11.75.  I'd better increase that to $17.25.... No, that's too easy to guess,.... I'll bid $41.67, nobody'll ever guess that.   Oh,... but somebody might bid $50 even.  So I'd better bid $51.50.  Oh, but I'll put in $57.34.  Yeah, that'll win it...."


Offline dante

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 23 November 2013, 23:53:18 »
Why do people want them so badly?

because the numpad is in the way of the alcohol

Offline berserkfan

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 01:12:00 »
Hehheh

Am a happy user of the Model M122 and F XT, and between them, I find no need for the SSK. I think SSK has a cool factor, but beyond that, is not superior to a Model F in key feel, or a Model M terminal in usability.

Portability? Hell, SSK is significantly heavier and bigger than a Filco TKL. And those professionals who do a lot of typing and moving around will prefer HHKBs.

SSK's the kind of keyboard I would buy at $150 for my collection, and would stay away at $250 and above. If you have so much money, buy a HHKB and customize it to the max and you would get something more mobile, equal in quality and key feel, and probably just as lasting.
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline tbc

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 01:25:48 »
people like different switches?  what's new?
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Offline Pacifist

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 01:38:48 »
This fellow is so excited at finding a SSK for $0.01 that he's already bid 5 times. 
http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&_trksid=p2047675.l2565&rt=nc&item=171180810057

You can just feel the agony and inner turmoil....
"No, wait,... sombody might figure out that I've bid $11.75.  I'd better increase that to $17.25.... No, that's too easy to guess,.... I'll bid $41.67, nobody'll ever guess that.   Oh,... but somebody might bid $50 even.  So I'd better bid $51.50.  Oh, but I'll put in $57.34.  Yeah, that'll win it...."

ANNDDDDDDDDDDD $250

Offline 127001

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 11:20:34 »
Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...

Offline Sniping

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 11:41:36 »
Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...

Did he have 12? I only saw 4 on the list and I PM'd him twice wanting to buy one....no response.

Offline berserkfan

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 11:42:58 »
yeah, and because he priced them 10 bucks above my buy target, i didn't bite. heh!

oh well, it left me with more money to buy Tinlong's other amazing goodies!

Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline Michael

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 13:11:21 »
It boggles the mind why the BIN one for 350 isnt gone yet. It's clearly in better shape than some of the other ones...

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 14:16:22 »
It boggles the mind why the BIN one for 350 isnt gone yet. It's clearly in better shape than some of the other ones...

I allowed myself to get caught up in a price war a couple of years ago. I wanted a Model F AT and my lust grew over a couple of months when none turned up on ebay. And, as later became obvious, there were a couple of others like me.

Finally, after this drought, a single specimen came up for sale every 2-3 weeks, and we bid them up into the $120-160 range, until about 4-5 had sold, and (presumably) we had each gotten one or more to have a really nice one for the collection.

Afterwards, supply opened up, and prices dropped back to the $80-100 range as usual.
"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline berserkfan

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #12 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 15:25:45 »
actually, fohat, I was wondering if you could kindly educate us on your ebay experiences. You seem to have plenty both as a seller and a buyer.

I, too, am hardly any good when it comes to bidding. The best I can be is to be disciplined, so that I don't go overbudget. This does help keep me from bidding prices that I regret and have to beg my way out with the seller. But there are many times when I suspect I bid too low, and also times when I hesitated to click buy it now and some other people benefitted.

It boggles the mind why the BIN one for 350 isnt gone yet. It's clearly in better shape than some of the other ones...

I allowed myself to get caught up in a price war a couple of years ago. I wanted a Model F AT and my lust grew over a couple of months when none turned up on ebay. And, as later became obvious, there were a couple of others like me.

Finally, after this drought, a single specimen came up for sale every 2-3 weeks, and we bid them up into the $120-160 range, until about 4-5 had sold, and (presumably) we had each gotten one or more to have a really nice one for the collection.

Afterwards, supply opened up, and prices dropped back to the $80-100 range as usual.
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 24 November 2013, 16:10:14 »
actually, fohat, I was wondering if you could kindly educate us on your ebay experiences. You seem to have plenty both as a seller and a buyer.

I will make a new post here in great finds.
"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline theMANtonio

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 00:27:22 »
Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...

Did he have 12? I only saw 4 on the list and I PM'd him twice wanting to buy one....no response.


Never got a response from Tinlong (probably cuz of my low post count lol).

Personally, I'd love to add one to my collection and I love the aesthetics of the board. I've seen a lot of hacked SSKs, but nothing compares to the original.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 November 2013, 11:38:32 by theMANtonio »

Offline terran5992

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 00:37:39 »
Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...

Did he have 12? I only saw 4 on the list and I PM'd him twice wanting to buy one....no response.


Never got a response from Tinlong (probably cuz of my low post count lol). But no worries.. I think I found my way to some moderately priced SSKs.


Personally, I'd love to add one to my collection and I love the aesthetics of the board. I've seen a lot of hacked SSKs, but nothing compares to the original.

He replied to me . With one word 'lol'

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Offline Pacifist

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 02:50:42 »
Guys... Tinlong had 12 of them for sale for 160 a piece...

Did he have 12? I only saw 4 on the list and I PM'd him twice wanting to buy one....no response.


Never got a response from Tinlong (probably cuz of my low post count lol). But no worries.. I think I found my way to some moderately priced SSKs.


Personally, I'd love to add one to my collection and I love the aesthetics of the board. I've seen a lot of hacked SSKs, but nothing compares to the original.

He replied to me . With one word 'lol'

Typical tinnie

Offline tinlong117

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 03:22:56 »
It is time to use my monopoly power to drive the price up. ^_^

theMANtonio: the new lot hasnt arrived yet.

terran: Blame me for your stupidity.  :rolleyes:

Offline Pacifist

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 03:40:31 »
It is time to use my monopoly power to drive the price up. ^_^

theMANtonio: the new lot hasnt arrived yet.

terran:
Show Image
Blame me for your stupidity.  :rolleyes:

to be fair tinnie this is GH not DT, don't think terran saw the post

Offline tinlong117

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 03:51:23 »
It is time to use my monopoly power to drive the price up. ^_^

theMANtonio: the new lot hasnt arrived yet.

terran:
Show Image
Blame me for your stupidity.  :rolleyes:

to be fair tinnie this is GH not DT, don't think terran saw the post

BUT YOU STILL CANNOT BLAME ME FOR YOUR STUPIDITY. IT DOESNT MAKE ANY ****ING SENSE!

AND ONE MORE, I CAN JUST PUT THEM TO EBAY AND SELLING THEM FOR 250 USD+.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 November 2013, 03:55:17 by tinlong117 »

Offline Pacifist

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 03:59:14 »
It is time to use my monopoly power to drive the price up. ^_^

theMANtonio: the new lot hasnt arrived yet.

terran:
Show Image
Blame me for your stupidity.  :rolleyes:

to be fair tinnie this is GH not DT, don't think terran saw the post

BUT YOU STILL CANNOT BLAME ME FOR YOUR STUPIDITY. IT DOESNT MAKE ANY ****ING SENSE!

AND ONE MORE, I CAN JUST PUT THEM TO EBAY AND SELLING THEM FOR 250 USD+.

Now now tinnie, let's use our inside voices. Do you have model f for terran?

Offline theMANtonio

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 09:15:36 »
It is time to use my monopoly power to drive the price up. ^_^

theMANtonio: the new lot hasnt arrived yet.

terran:
Show Image
Blame me for your stupidity.  ::)

Appreciate the reply  :thumb:
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 November 2013, 09:52:48 by theMANtonio »

Offline E TwentyNine

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #22 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 09:48:28 »
Personally, I'd love to add one to my collection and I love the aesthetics of the board. I've seen a lot of hacked SSKs, but nothing compares to the original.

There's little difference.   Nothing you'd notice day-to-day if you don't need numberpad.

I have a true SSK and two SMK's (Space modded keyboard? I'll think of a good acronym for a fullsize to SSK mod one of these days) and when I was using the SSK more the only reason I ever had to turn on the numpad was to enter extended characters via ALT-numpad, which was rare.

The feel is the same, I don't miss the numberpad layer.  The only diffference is the case is higher (same width), and I'm going to be looking into making a caseless mod at some point, making it slightly smaller than an SSK.
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Offline snoopy

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #23 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 09:52:59 »
One of the factors I would always prefer a original ssk over a modded one (hacked from normal Model M) is the design. Everything looks perfect on the ssk, the geometry is perfect. I miss that on most of the modified ones.

Offline Photekq

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Re: 4 IBM SSKs on ebay - supply and demand
« Reply #24 on: Mon, 25 November 2013, 09:59:14 »
Now now tinnie, let's use our inside voices.
stop talking like a condescending prick pls
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