Ask HN: Best place to sell old computers, Commodore PET e.g.

[NovemberLegend]

I have a few machines that I'd like to sell, realized that I'm never going to get around to refurbishing them, replacing the electrolytic caps, etc. Searches mostly return eBay sellers, when I look for current prices.

But it seems like I'm missing something. Is there such a thing as an online antique computer marketplace, the equivalent of the M.I.T. Flea Market, maybe ? I'd like to be more confident in the prices I'm putting on them, and it seems like eBay is the only thing being promoted by the search results. I'm near Boston, btw.

Machines are: Apple II, Macintosh Plus, DECstation 5000/120, Commodore PET 4032, Amiga 1000

[thorin]

In the uk there are a lot of groups set up for popular old tech on fb. Selling on those groups gets the machines to people who will be actively using them or even putting in a museum and there are people that can repair issues and source components. You get good prices on there. E.g. on "Spectrum for Everyone" there are several of the original developers participating. I think I still have an A500 around somewhere, I'm sure there will be similar Apple and Commodore groups near you. We even have a physical museum near me that is always interested in buying / selling/ donations.

[NovemberLegend → thorin]

Thanks, I thought about museums, there's a "Computer Museum" in Boston that I went to decades ago. But I doubt I have anything unique, or worth their time, really. Been looking for specific groups to get an idea of the actual values, some prices I've seen on ebay are 3x the others, for apparently the same items.

[gladiatr72]

Depending on your locale, there may be a Commodore or Apple// club nearby. Even if there isn't a buyer for all components, they can probably hook you into their network of vintage computing device enthusiests.

[NovemberLegend → gladiatr72]

Thanks for the reply. I got the gray text on this almost immediately, then couldn't see it under the new or ask tabs. Might try asking again on Sunday morning to catch a different crowd, but apparently this isn't a topic that's relevant here.

Specific clubs for each machine is probably the way I'll have to go. I'm south of Boston, so I figure there's a good chance of finding something.

[abecedarius]

Craigslist used to have lots of local ads for vintage computers like this. Not so much in recent years (though there are still some); have local markets moved to Facebook or what? (I'm a luddite towards FB.)

[NovemberLegend → abecedarius]

Same, not a fan of their "real names only" policy. But that's all I'm seeing, a couple of retro and vintage computing groups on fb, and some eBay sellers.