eBay as a barometer...

Over the past few days, I've fired up the browser to see what various items go for on eBay (to use as a guide, as I realize that eBay is not the only such site out there). The most recent lookup has been for my mother's IBM Selectric II self-correcting typewriter.

I would be tempted to keep the beast (it's heavy) if it worked, but nothing happens when it's plugged in and turned on, and while I realize this may be due to any of several rather easily repaired problems, the fact of the matter is that even if the machine worked perfectly and came with an infinite supply of impression and correction tapes, I would not ever use it on a regular basis.

Interestingly enough, pretty much all of the Selectric II typewriters offered on eBay look rather alone and abandoned, in the sense that nobody is bidding for them, except for this one Selectric II that is currently up to $150 after 6 bids, with just about a day left before the auction ends. (And perhaps its popularity has to do with the fact that it is being offered together with some number of impression and correction tapes!)

Cheers...