I feel a little awkward posting this, but as my teachers years ago use to say...the only dumb questions are those which are not asked.
I've owned an Apple I since day one. Over the years, it has become a dust collector and many times it was close to going into the scrap heap. But something kept telling me to hang onto it. However, the time has come for me to let go of this bit of history and get it into the hands of someone who might better appreciate it.
This is not a 'for sale' posting, but rather a question to the experts in the group. What do you believe is the best way to sell this collectors item?
Thanks much for any ideas you may have!
Regards -- Bruce
I'm not an expert at selling collectable hardware but IIRC, Sellam Ismail at vintage.org has conducted the auctions of the last two Apple 1s to show up on the market. His email address is on the site so I'd get in touch with him. If nothing else he could probably point you in the right direction.
You could do it on eBay or similar auction sites but you run the high risk of falling prey to the /. effect and get bombarded with fake bids.
Link to one of the Apple 1 auctions
Good luck.
Welcome to the Apple I Owners' Club, Bruce. I, too, owned an Apple I for many years. I sold it last year to an individual who expressed an interest in buying one here on the Applefritter forum. Think long and hard about selling it, though. Once sold, it is gone forever!
There are only a handful of original owners with Apple I's still around. The computers are so rare that the value fluctuates according to the very limited availability of willing buyers and willing sellers.
The Vintage Computer Fair may be a viable option for you, as well as eBay to at least make known to a great many people that you are willing to sell this rarest of Apple computers.
Take care, negotiate wisely and take your time finding a good home for it.
Thanks for the tip on Sellam Ismail. I will be getting in touch with him to see what he has to say.
I've thought about eBay. I've sold and bought a fair amount of test and measurement equipment on that venue, but I'm not sure it is the best one to use for selling an Apple I on. As you pointed out, the number of bogus bids can be a huge problem. I happened to see a wedding dress a gent was selling hit 99,999,999.00 (which btw is the limit for a max bid on eBay). Of course these were bogus...when the dust settled it went for something like 3.8K. But still...not worth all the problems.
Thanks again!
Regards -- Bruce
Larry,
Thank you for your comments and suggestions.
I've thought long and hard about parting with my Apple I. One thing I learned years ago is that collectables are best owned by those who appreciate them AND are willing to let others appreciate them to. While I do appreciate what I have....I'm failing at the second part. Having something 'collecting dust' seems rather selfish.
I still have some thinking to do. I'm going to follow up on the suggestions I've been given and see where it leads me.
I've had the little gem this long....a few more weeks/months of planning are not going to hurt either of us!
Thanks again Larry!
Regards -- Bruce
VCF 7.0 in October may be the way to go. They do live online auction and really draw international attention. Best of luck with your departure.
i am looking to purchase an apple 1. I am currently negotiating on another and would love to talk further with you. I can be emailed at
-a016363@allstate.com- leave out the "-"'s
i am a serious buyer with cash.
Brad