Thread
Quadra 950.... mmmmmmm.... Why the prices?
Anyone else noticed them selling for like $400 on ebay? Link later, the bell rang.
I've seen them selling for more than that. Usually the people selling them that high are selling them in ebay stores. Individual sellers usually don't get those sorts of prices unless there is something special about the machine.
Well, mine has 256MB RAM... I wonder how much it would go for? Teh case isn't at all yellowed. Any thoughts?
If you want to sell it, sell it and find out. I seen one go for $375 but it was brand new looking and went to a low feedback bidder (as in could be a fake sale to get interest up). One before that (also mint) went for $127 or so. Before that I seen units sell for $40 or so (many of them, some in very nice condition).
If the unit has 256MB of RAM* that would be 4 sets of 16MB 30 PIN SIMMs, a set can sell for $20-30 easy so that is $80-120 there. I have been lucky and the last few systems I snagged had atleast 1 set of 16MB SIMMs inside (all free). Of the (5) 950's I have I think I only paid for 2 of them ($75 for ones including shipping back in 2000, $40ish for one a couple years ago shipped and full of cards)
The only problem with them is people have to be close to you to avoid crazy shipping charges, or local pickup. Shipping tends to be more then the selling price most times. The again 68k is starting to be a little less common on ebay (especially in good clean working condition), so prices have inched up.
*I asume all the RAM is on the motherboard and not using a daystar PPC card with 4x72 pin slots.
If the unit has 256MB of RAM* that would be 4 sets of 16MB 30 PIN SIMMs, a set can sell for $20-30 easy so that is $80-120 there. I have been lucky and the last few systems I snagged had atleast 1 set of 16MB SIMMs inside (all free). Of the (5) 950's I have I think I only paid for 2 of them ($75 for ones including shipping back in 2000, $40ish for one a couple years ago shipped and full of cards)
The only problem with them is people have to be close to you to avoid crazy shipping charges, or local pickup. Shipping tends to be more then the selling price most times. The again 68k is starting to be a little less common on ebay (especially in good clean working condition), so prices have inched up.
*I asume all the RAM is on the motherboard and not using a daystar PPC card with 4x72 pin slots.
68k Mac's used to be a dime a dozen on eBay. They very near literally had too be given a way. The good machines like Quadra's are getting rare. If you notice the guy who supposedly bought the 950 for $400 had either one or zero feedbacks. Also neither seller nor buyer has left each other feedback on the transaction. I have some doubt in my mind if the sale actually went through.
Bah. Fine, ruin my money hopes 
I can hardly give away 68K machines because they have to be local pick up--shipping is too expensive with good packing materials and so forth. I have three sitting right here that no one will come pick up in Riverside, Ca
Just keep looking. You'll find some guy who will sell it for a buck or two eventually. You'll need it cheap because Quadra 900s/950s are a pain to ship.
The number of 68K Macs is shrinking but the demand for different types of machines have gone up and down. For example, the Colour Classic is always in demand, but there aren't as many people interested in SE/30s as there used to be. Quadras are more popular now. Classics have gone up in price but aren't really popular anymore.
The number of 68K Macs is shrinking but the demand for different types of machines have gone up and down. For example, the Colour Classic is always in demand, but there aren't as many people interested in SE/30s as there used to be. Quadras are more popular now. Classics have gone up in price but aren't really popular anymore.
well, the 512k with hyperdrive that I had went for $193.50 and the quadra went for $72.
I think we're at the start of the collector's phase, when the value begins to rise again after hitting ~$0. Most individuals, schools and companies have finished their mass dumpings of 68k Macs. You can still get some good deals (on eBay and off) and even free 68k Macs but nothing at all like it was 4-5 years ago when I acquired the bulk of my Mac stuff.
The early compacts and the Quadras seem to be the "valuable" ones right now. Quadras have been up in price for a couple years, especially the tower models. Though I'm now seeing stock SEs and Classics go for $10-$20, occasionally more. 3 years ago it could be hard to give away the poor things sometimes, much less sell it for anything.
The early compacts and the Quadras seem to be the "valuable" ones right now. Quadras have been up in price for a couple years, especially the tower models. Though I'm now seeing stock SEs and Classics go for $10-$20, occasionally more. 3 years ago it could be hard to give away the poor things sometimes, much less sell it for anything.
Yeah, we're shifting into the 'free g3-era' era now... I recently picked up 5 (!) iMac G3s (DVs too!) off Freecycle.
They're getting very cheap now, and the 68ks are going up in price.
They're getting very cheap now, and the 68ks are going up in price.
I was going to bid on a 950 and was willing to pay about $75 for it. Including shipping one just went on ebay for $120+
Now may the time for Beige PCI Macs and G3s; they can be cheaper these days than the 68k machines.
Yeah I can go over to ISU's surplus and get a beige G3 for $10 or so
G3s and the low-end PCI PowerMacs are all reaching the free/almost free range now. Higher end PCI Macs and their clones (mostly the Tsunami-based ones) have never hit the $0 mark in general. There's always been some demand for them.
I've found that software in particular is getting tough to find. A few years ago, you could almost always find MacDraw II on eBay, often shrinkwrapped. Even a program like Word 5.1 wouldn't have been too hard to track down. Now it's tough to find much of anything older than CD-ROM there. I've been looking for a shrinkwrapped MacWrite II for a few days now with no luck. Had I been searching in 2004-2005 it would have been easy to track down the brand new software.
Same with compact Macs. Anyone remember being able to get Mac Classics for a penny plus shipping?
Same with compact Macs. Anyone remember being able to get Mac Classics for a penny plus shipping?
the B&W is still about 30-40$. G4 systems are STILL in the 100reds!
Um, no. The B&W is pretty much free-$15. The earl G4s are anywhere from $50-85.
It can depend on configuration (and a bit of bidding luck with eBay). Stock G3s are indeed close to $0. One with upgrades, even just extra RAM, could easily go higher though. Same with the early G4s. Their low point seems to be about $30 right now for stock setups of the early models but some upgrades can send them into the hundreds again.
I generally reference stock configurations when comparing prices on Macs. Calculating value of RAM and upgrades gets too tricky for simpler comparisons.
The eBay market is wonderful.
Whenever I list an LC 550 it's purchased almost immediately, or bid on almost immediately. People will pay up to $100 plus shipping up to $170 (international) for one of my LC 550s. I got these during the past few months from schools selling pallets for $5 each.
I put LC 580s in the eBay store for $29 each and they're already starting to sell out. I'm going to have to go pull some more out of storage. They are yellowed but I put 132 MB of RAM in so maybe that helps them move.
I sold out of 5260/120s at $19-$29 each. These are 5 Road Apple Macs. And I sold out. However, I did install some software on each one that probably improved the value somewhat (old copies of Office and AppleWorks), and bumped the RAM to at least 32 MB.
I sold my first Beige G3 for $39. 384 MB RAM and Jaguar installed but otherwise stock.
Sold an iMac yesterday on Craigslist for $30. 333 MHz Purple, 32 MB RAM, OS 8.5.1. But I included a keyboard, mouse, and power cable. It was an entire system that he can take away and set up and get right to work.
One trick to get more money is, sell entire systems. Keyboard, mouse, power cable are required. With a tower you don't have to include a monitor since they're heavy, but it's nice.
Bump up the RAM. Purchase big bulk lots of RAM off eBay. Same thing with PRAM batteries - I have a wholesaler I get batteries from.
Provide a professional package. An LC 550 that's been cleaned, new PRAM battery, 32 MB SIMM installed, keyboard, mouse, power cable is gonna go for $40. An LC 550 by it's self, dirty, no OS, etc. is going to go for 1 cent. Same thing applies when you're buying - look for those dirty poorly marketed auctions and buy those to save money.
Everyone said I was crazy to take in all these stock commodity Macs but it's making money, and it's fun shipping all around the world.
Whenever I list an LC 550 it's purchased almost immediately, or bid on almost immediately. People will pay up to $100 plus shipping up to $170 (international) for one of my LC 550s. I got these during the past few months from schools selling pallets for $5 each.
I put LC 580s in the eBay store for $29 each and they're already starting to sell out. I'm going to have to go pull some more out of storage. They are yellowed but I put 132 MB of RAM in so maybe that helps them move.
I sold out of 5260/120s at $19-$29 each. These are 5 Road Apple Macs. And I sold out. However, I did install some software on each one that probably improved the value somewhat (old copies of Office and AppleWorks), and bumped the RAM to at least 32 MB.
I sold my first Beige G3 for $39. 384 MB RAM and Jaguar installed but otherwise stock.
Sold an iMac yesterday on Craigslist for $30. 333 MHz Purple, 32 MB RAM, OS 8.5.1. But I included a keyboard, mouse, and power cable. It was an entire system that he can take away and set up and get right to work.
One trick to get more money is, sell entire systems. Keyboard, mouse, power cable are required. With a tower you don't have to include a monitor since they're heavy, but it's nice.
Bump up the RAM. Purchase big bulk lots of RAM off eBay. Same thing with PRAM batteries - I have a wholesaler I get batteries from.
Provide a professional package. An LC 550 that's been cleaned, new PRAM battery, 32 MB SIMM installed, keyboard, mouse, power cable is gonna go for $40. An LC 550 by it's self, dirty, no OS, etc. is going to go for 1 cent. Same thing applies when you're buying - look for those dirty poorly marketed auctions and buy those to save money.
Everyone said I was crazy to take in all these stock commodity Macs but it's making money, and it's fun shipping all around the world.
I just had someone pay over $280 to have an LC 550 shipped to Iceland.
People on this forum tend to get Macs for much cheaper then what ebay prices them at. You seem to be selling overseas where Apple never sold that many units so they are rare there.
You generally paid little to nothing for those 580's, and we tend to get that the same price.
The replies were geared toward adding items to a collection, you seem to buy just to resell.
Now, now: Richardson to my mind is a stalwart 68Ker who appreciates the good things from the past, and who is handing on pallets of these good things from the past to new homes. If he can make beer money doing so, so much the better.
I also have a collection. I don't just buy to resell. Granted, if I buy a pallet of 15 LCs - some are gonna have to go either way. I can't keep all of those. I have a big duplication in desktop Beige G3s as well, so some of those have to go. More room for more interesting things. Buying the pallets also lets me pick out the best condition Macs for the collection.
beachycove put it in a good way - it's not enough money to live on but it's nice extra change.
beachycove put it in a good way - it's not enough money to live on but it's nice extra change.
Mike_Richardson's weird LC 550s and 580s never sold in Europe. I doubt whether 5xxs were ever on the price list. Thus they are going to appeal to appeal to a minority of collectors outside North America. Congratulations to Mike for spotting the export market for road Macs that were never offered overseas 