Mongrel Model M—why are people bidding?

[ander]

What do you guys make of this?:

IBM Model M + NOS Cable, Metal Badge, vintage mechanical keyboard 1391401











It a 1391401 whose top the seller's swapped out with one from a 1st-gen terminal M (square logo, no lock lights). Yet it's getting a bunch of bids (currently at $81 + shipping).

Do you think these bidders think it's a rarity of some kind? Don't they get that this board has even less collector's value than, say, a Unicomp?

Go figure.

[antquinonez]

The seller's very upfront about what he has going on here. I bidded a couple bucks on this but some other people wanted this a lot more than me. Grrrrrrr. I was surprised to see it get so high, though, it is a franken keyboard. The heart wants what it wants.

I got a Frankenstein 1988 1391401 with a blue badge. Seller didn't point out the oddness but I'm informed enough to know that makes no sense. The keyboard has a tight sdl chord and white rubber pads so I was okay with spending 40 bucks on it.

[zslane]

No, there is no way to account for this other than a complete lack of good judgment (and taste). After all, that is the fundamental basis for all Model M (and F) acquisitions. 

[taylorswiftttttt]

removed

[zslane]

Why are you guys hating?

Well, in my case, because I feel the Model M is the worst "professional" keyboard ever foisted on the public.

(Why? Because it is bulky, noisy, and ugly as hell. Its impressive durability doesn't begin to make up for its utter lack of style and character.)

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[MandrewDavis]

I'm guessing that everyone is yet to recognize the seller as Ohaimark? The bidders knew what they were bidding on, its a nice looking board, and acquiring all of those parts individually would be more expensive than $81. The only thing wrong with it is that its not a Model-F   

[antquinonez]

Why pick on this Model M, which is undeniably a board that the seller has put effort into? Why not pick on other Model Ms on eBay, of which there are many at a worse quality and higher price?

About your views on the Model Ms aesthetics, I'm sure you know you're in the minority.

Yeah, someone please give me a hundred bucks for a filthy, stained keyboard with a broken cord.

[antquinonez]

Why are you guys hating?

Well, in my case, because I feel the Model M is the worst "professional" keyboard ever foisted on the public.

(Why? Because it is bulky, noisy, and ugly as hell. Its impressive durability doesn't begin to make up for its utter lack of style and character.)

Let me guess, you like RGB leds that light up like a Christmas tree on acid.

[Leslieann]

Almost any good, clean, complete, working Model M is worth around $100 these days.
Yes, you can find cheaper but pretty much any you find for less than $80 have something wrong with them. Usually broken or missing keys.

It's kind of surprising how fast these are going up in price.

[klennkellon]

I'd say anything under $90 isn't a bad price for a Model M. You can pick up a brand new Unicomp for $90, but with a Model M you get a higher quality board at the exchange that it's almost certainly second hand.

But it does pain me to see something common like an AT-101w or Model M sold for $100+ "ULTRA RETRO VINTAGE CLICKY GAMING KEYBOARD IBM CLICK CLACK"

I saw an ebay title as "CLICKY KEYBOARD LOVE THAT CLICK CLACK SOUND"