[GreenKeys] Nice M15 on eBay

[Bob McConnell]

WA5CAB at cs.com wrote:
> I'm sorry to have to reveal this apparently well guarded secret to you folks, 
> but these two statements illustrate in spades the reason that 99% of all TTY 
> machines end up scrapped and melted down or in a landfill.  When even the 
> collectors think that they are all worthless pieces of junk, why should any 
> non-collector bother to do anything with one that turns up other than put it out 
> front with the rest of the garbage?  If it isn't worth buying, it isn't worth 
> keeping.
> 
> Robert & Susan Downs - Houston

Unfortunately, what we actually have here is a severe mismatch in 
expectations. Those speculators on eBay looking for the big payoff 
believe there are a number of wealthy collectors out here just begging 
for an opportunity to share some of that wealth. In reality, most of us 
looking to obtain a few of these machines are far from wealthy. In fact 
many are living on fixed incomes with very little room for discretionary 
spending. Our desire is driven more by nostalgia and fond memories 
rather than wanting to help preserve the history of these unique 
devices. Most of us learned to love the equipment while working as a 
technician or in military service, neither of which is known for 
providing excessive wealth or comfort later in life.

Maybe there are a few collectors out there paying some of those 
exorbitant prices, but I don't know of any. Even if I had space for a 
couple of machines, I couldn't afford to pay most of the minimum prices 
and shipping costs being requested by the speculators, and I still have 
a good paying job. My family is more important to me than the nostalgia 
at this point.

Yes, that means that more machines will end up in the scrap heap or 
landfill, but until the speculators decide to accept reality, there is 
very little we can do about it.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP