Re: Fair price for this system?

[rubywand@aol.com]

In article <5cb8bk$36l$1@newshound.csrv.uidaho.edu>,
maas931@owl.csrv.uidaho.edu (Michael Maas) writes:

>
>There's a local pawn shop that's got a //c with monochrome monitor (the
>12" - not the 9"), and imagewriter, and some software. I've been quoted a
>number of prices for it, the most common being $75. What would be a fair
>price to try to talk them down to, or should I go for the $75?
>
>Better yet, is there a web site that tracks used Apple ][ prices?
>
>

     Regarding a web site's tracking of used Apple ][ prices:
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace is fairly good because it is a place where
stuff is actually sold. On the other hand, used Apple2 prices vary
tremendously and these variations are widespread. (That is, there are lots
of places selling Apple IIe's for $50 or more and lots of places selling
them for $20, etc..)

     One of the chief factors in pricing is location. If the stuff is
where you can pick it up with minimal hassle, it is 'worth more' than
stuff you have to hunt for or order via mail.

     Regarding the specific deal you mention: $75 would be a high price in
Houston, Texas and many other U.S. cities because schools have been
dumping Apple2 computers, drives, monitors, ... at school sales and user
group swap meets. $35 is about the most a IIc with mono-monitor would go
for.

     You mention a 12" mono-monitor. Today, large size is a negative
attribute for a monochrome monitor. The 12" monitor has nearly zero market
value. (Most shops would regard the space taken up to display the 12"
monitor as wasted.)

      In your home, it takes up space which should go to a color monitor.
A 9" monitor would be better and a 7" better yet. The whole idea of the
IIc is compactness. A large non-color monitor defeats this advantage. You
might as well get a IIe.

     Similar concerns apply regarding the ImageWriter. Even if it is an
ImageWriter II, you are talking about a large, heavy, obsolete printer. It
has very little market value.

     $75 is too much ... for you to ask for carting away the system.

     If you like the seller, want to spend some money, and feel generous,
offer $40 for the whole ball of wax. If the system includes IIc Tech
Reference, BASIC, DOS, and ProDOS manuals, offer $50.  


Rubywand