Why is it that every year about this time folks break out thier "Lost Treasures!", "Kept in a closet for 20 years!", "Squeaky Clean!", "Ultra Rare!!" Apple II and Mac items?
They could have placed these things up for auction any time during the year and probably sold them with no problems for a reasonable amount, but they always wait until Christmas when they think that they can jack up the price (not only of the item, but for shipping too) and get away with it.
One of my favorites is "Still Wrapped in the Original Plastic" software packages. Yes; some of these programs are just about (yeah, just about) worth the five to ten times markup that they cost when they first came out, but you know as soon as you buy it and it arrives in the mail that you'll rip it open to use or play and then it will be worth less than the original price. Buy used.....it saves time and money.
I know, Iknow. I'm being cynical again. Being a collector AND a user of Apple II's and Mac's makes me wonder ; again...
"WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING?!?!?"
Anyone else have any Yuletide sentiments on this subject?
Happy Holidays Everyone! 
Which people, the people who pay ridiculous seasonal prices to defile NRFB merchandise, or the people selling said merchandise at what is clearly the optimal time for doing so?
The buyers probably *are* idiots. (Although if you have someone on your shopping list who wants to find an Apple ][ under the Christmas tree more then anything else in the whole world up-to-and-including a magical flying pony then perhaps it's worth paying whatever it costs to get it. Isn't happiness supposed to be priceless or something?) The sellers, however, are doing *exactly* the right thing. Unless you think satisfying the demand for retrocomputing relics is some sort charity work you've got every right to seek top dollar for your wares.
(It's true that some of these guys selling have ridiculous ideas what some things "should cost", generally the ones selling stuff "Buy it Now!" from their "eBay stores". Apparently they snag enough just newbies/suckers willing to cough up $40 for a disk or a manual that the "real collectors" know better about to make it worth their while, however.)
Gouging for shipping is pretty lame certainly, but eBay sellers have the option of doing that year-round. Nothing new there.
I thought we went through this all already in the $50k Apple I thread.
Could be Doc......
Like I said, sometimes I get cynical.
I said something about it at work this morning and one of the guys asked if I were a Communist. lol
Just venting I guess.
Don't feel bad. It's the same way with toys. I'm
into antique electric trains (Pre-War WW2) and the
same thing happens. Either you are a collector or
an "operator" (I'm both). Same with the computers.
I'm both. So I usually buy my first item to use and
then, if the money is there, and the price is right,
and I REALLY want one "mint-in-the-box" I'll get a
second.
I NEVER buy around the Christmas season because the
crazies come out thinking that their stuff is gold.
Best advice, hold onto your money and be patient and
shop around. Resist the initial impulse to make the
first buy.
Trust me. Another one WILL come along and at a better
price.