Re: cards cost

[cturley2@aol.com (Cturley2)]

Yes, it does seem like many of the sellers that offer A2 and IIgs cards,
hardware and systems - reap a hefty profit with their auction efforts on
eBay.com.  But, then you occassionally will see some things on eBay.com that
are real bargains too.  

And the comp.sys.apple2.marketplace newsgroup has some good deals on occasion. 
I guess it's just the old -> supply and demand thing that keeps the easy to
find A2 stuff elsewhere - at such a hefty cost from places like eBay.com.  With
the end of the cards from Sequential Systems, there's only two retailers I'm
aware of now for buying any Apple II and/or IIgs cards  new -at fairly
reasonable prices; Alltech and ///SHH Systems.  Oh, there are several other
retailers that still have their stock of old and original Apple II cards
offered from their websites; new, used and refurbished.  But, the prices of
most of them are just about as hefty as you'd find them to be from the eBay.com
auctions. 

I've managed to aquire a great collection of Apple II and IIgs cards, hardware
and systems over the past few years - by just keeping an eye opened for good
deals when they are offered on the Internet.  But, then I spend from 10 to 12
hours 5 to 6 days a week now - searching for Apple II things on the WWW. 

So, I'm at an advantage there - with finding many good bargains often. 
However, the time I spend searching for it all - has it's own price to pay :)) 
 The best A2 and IIgs bargains I've ever found for just a few dollars - are
from the marketplace newsgroup, the local thrift shops and used computer
stores, which I check out often.  Though, I've had a good many given to me as
gifts from several close friends during the past year - for which I'm very
thankful and grateful for.  I don't intend selling any of them, as I'm really
just a collector and want to keep them.  Maybe some day I'll win the CA
SuperLotto and can make some duplicates to sell at near cost to others that
seek them.  We shall see :)  It's a dream I often thank of.

Just take a look back at what the Apple 1 used to cost - during it's first few
years of circulation and what it commands today!  True, the Apple II line  had
millions of units and cards sold.  But, a lot of it has ended up in dumpsters
and on to their graves  over the last decade - under land fill also.  

I'd guess that in the next ten years or so - the original Apple II and rare
cards for the entire Apple II line of computers will do the same -with respect
to the prices they will command from the sellers and have payed for them by the
buyers.  They are becoming more and more of a classic in their status - with
each passing year now. 

Cheers,
Tom