Who sells old/vintage Mac gear in Australia these days?

[Ben W]

Hi all,

It's been a few years since I've done any serious acquistion of old
Macs but the bug has caught me again and I'm keen to acquire some more
models that eluded me first time around, or that I sold off before and
now regret doing so!

There's obviously plenty of stuff that can be sourced from the States,
but for heavier/bulkier items like CRT monitors, printers, All-In-Ones
and larger towers the costs it's not so practical.

Unfortunately it appears the secondhand-Mac market here in Australia
has completed ditched anything pre-Jobsonian… don't know if they've
sold out their remaining gear, if the surplus supplies have run out, or
they just don't see the value in selling anything so far removed from
the current Macintosh environment. New Wave Systems used to have some
stuff but they're all modern-only now. Same with AppleBits, as far as I
can tell.

eBay's also a far cry from what it was a decade ago and what systems
that are offered lately have been at insane prices. Personally I'm
hoping it is just a few sharks trying to capitalise on SJ's passing.

Ten years ago when I lived in Melbourne there was an old guy called Ray
(Whitehirst?) who ran Ray's MacWreck down in Williamstown. I think it
was a post-retirement hobby-business for him. He had both his house and
a nearby storage unit absolutely jam-packed with old gear, hundreds of
systems and peripherals. I bought several bits and bobs off him over a
couple of years. I still have his phone number but am relucant to call
as he isn't listed anywhere anymore - and for all I know he may have
passed on.

Does anybody know of any current, reliable traders of old Mac goodness
in Australia?

Cheers, Ben.

[Stephen Harker]

Post by Ben W
It's been a few years since I've done any serious acquistion of old
Macs but the bug has caught me again and I'm keen to acquire some more
models that eluded me first time around, or that I sold off before and
now regret doing so!
There's obviously plenty of stuff that can be sourced from the States,
but for heavier/bulkier items like CRT monitors, printers, All-In-Ones
and larger towers the costs it's not so practical.
Unfortunately it appears the secondhand-Mac market here in Australia
has completed ditched anything pre-Jobsonian… don't know if they've
sold out their remaining gear, if the surplus supplies have run out,
or they just don't see the value in selling anything so far removed
from the current Macintosh environment. New Wave Systems used to have
some stuff but they're all modern-only now. Same with AppleBits, as
far as I can tell.

I am not sure what you mean by pre-Jobsonian (I would tend to
interpret that as Apple-][). However, try some of the links at the
following, last time I looked some had older Apple hardware PowerMacs
and some 68K macs. But that was at least a year ago.

http://www.barefeetware.com/buying/

You seem to have tried the more obvious. AppleBits doesn't seem to
list anything before G3 Powermacs/iMacs.

[Ben W]

Sorry, yes 'pre-Jobsian' doesn't really make sense. Clearly I made that
post too late at night!

I'm talking about Macs and related stuff prior to Jobs' return in 1997.
Terms like "Old World Macs" and "Beige Macs" would be more appropriate.

I checked through the BareFeetware site (used to visit there years ago)
and it appears that all the places listed are now only offering newer
stuff. No real surprises…. I can't imagine there's much value in
selling IIcis and I'm guessing ex-school etc. sources have well and
truly dried up and/or been disposed of now.

Cheers, Ben.

Post by Stephen Harker
I am not sure what you mean by pre-Jobsonian (I would tend to
interpret that as Apple-][). However, try some of the links at the
following, last time I looked some had older Apple hardware PowerMacs
and some 68K macs. But that was at least a year ago.
http://www.barefeetware.com/buying/
You seem to have tried the more obvious. AppleBits doesn't seem to
list anything before G3 Powermacs/iMacs.

[David Morrison]

Post by Ben W
Does anybody know of any current, reliable traders of old Mac goodness
in Australia?

I suspect that most of the old stuff is in personal collections. The Mac
user group in Newcastle got this in 2009:


Hi there,

My father in Newcastle has numerous old apples which he can't bear to
throw out. These computers, including the old green screen, SE and LC,
are in working condition. I can obtain all the names of them this week
and get back to you.

The reason I am e-mailing is because my father is moving to NZ and my
mother is putting her foot down on the need to get rid of these
antiques. I imagine these old computers in working condition are worth
something, and I promised my father that I would help find a good home
for them.

Do you know of any groups or individuals, who may be interested in these
computers? Any suggestions would be very greatly appreciated.


It transpired that he had these:

- A tiwanese copy of an AppleII with some genuine apple parts (specifics
will be included in a later e-mail when Dad lists them)
- Apple SE
- Macintosh IIci
- Apple LC
- Powermac 7700
- iMac (blue/green colour)
- eMac
- Powerbook G3


We couldn't find anyone who wanted them unfortunately, and I don't know
what happened to them eventually.

[Ben W]

Hi David, I've sent you an email re: this.

Cheers, Ben.

Post by David Morrison

Post by Ben W
Does anybody know of any current, reliable traders of old Mac goodness
in Australia?

I suspect that most of the old stuff is in personal collections. The Mac
Hi there,
My father in Newcastle has numerous old apples which he can't bear to
throw out. These computers, including the old green screen, SE and LC,
are in working condition. I can obtain all the names of them this week
and get back to you.
The reason I am e-mailing is because my father is moving to NZ and my
mother is putting her foot down on the need to get rid of these
antiques. I imagine these old computers in working condition are worth
something, and I promised my father that I would help find a good home
for them.
Do you know of any groups or individuals, who may be interested in these
computers? Any suggestions would be very greatly appreciated.
- A tiwanese copy of an AppleII with some genuine apple parts (specifics
will be included in a later e-mail when Dad lists them)
- Apple SE
- Macintosh IIci
- Apple LC
- Powermac 7700
- iMac (blue/green colour)
- eMac
- Powerbook G3
We couldn't find anyone who wanted them unfortunately, and I don't know
what happened to them eventually.

[David Morrison]

I mentioned the old computers in my previous post on a user group
mailing list. These comments from the list might be of use:

From: David Phillips <***@yahoo.com.au>
To: Discussions by AppleUsers <appleusers-***@appleusers.org>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:09:07 +1000

I have a warehouse of old apples from Apple II's to the eMac. I
refurbish them for groups. I have a kindy using some II's as I have a
lot of suitable games. We have placed iMacs in retirement villages as an
internet lounge for the residents as well. We send a lot overseas and
our members go to train locals in the use and maintenance of them. We
have 400 7200/120's overseas right now.

We have reached 44 20 foot containers both local and overseas. I have
2000 feet of storage on a 5 hectare block of land.

If any one requires spare parts please contact me. I have parts for the
Apple II's and Macs. I will supply for the cost of postage.

History .... the first Mac (a +) was purchased by a Australian
scientist in Melbourne cost over $4400.00 at the time and did not have a
hard drive but did have two floppys when the machine went to the'' great
beyond'' someone from AUSOM put out a plea for another. I have some but
ended sending a Classic for him to use. iMacs were our at that time but
he wanted the same. We talked him into a Classic. His son works for NASA
in the US.

David Phillips
Apple-MAQ Lions Club
We Serve
Brisbane
-----------------------------------------------------

From: ***@ausom.net.au

David

I would be VERY interested in publishing details about your group's work
in this particular area. Do you have some more information readily
available but if not could I prevail upon you to simply expand a little
the information in your last post here?

AUSOM has a number of Members who do similar refurbishing of computers ˜
they may be inspired by a story from your group or may be able to supply
you with suitable computers.

[Mike Dee]

Post by Ben W
eBay's also a far cry from what it was a decade ago and what systems
that are offered lately have been at insane prices. Personally I'm
hoping it is just a few sharks trying to capitalise on SJ's passing.

eBay au can still be rewarding, bargain-wise, if you keep an eye on the
Computer "Vintage" section. Yes some do try to get more than what an
item is worth, but not all do.

[Bill Dixon]

Post by Ben W
Hi all,
It's been a few years since I've done any serious acquistion of old Macs
but the bug has caught me again and I'm keen to acquire some more models
that eluded me first time around, or that I sold off before and now
regret doing so!
There's obviously plenty of stuff that can be sourced from the States,
but for heavier/bulkier items like CRT monitors, printers, All-In-Ones
and larger towers the costs it's not so practical.
Unfortunately it appears the secondhand-Mac market here in Australia has
completed ditched anything pre-Jobsonian… don't know if they've sold out
their remaining gear, if the surplus supplies have run out, or they just
don't see the value in selling anything so far removed from the current
Macintosh environment. New Wave Systems used to have some stuff but
they're all modern-only now. Same with AppleBits, as far as I can tell.
eBay's also a far cry from what it was a decade ago and what systems
that are offered lately have been at insane prices. Personally I'm
hoping it is just a few sharks trying to capitalise on SJ's passing.
Ten years ago when I lived in Melbourne there was an old guy called Ray
(Whitehirst?) who ran Ray's MacWreck down in Williamstown. I think it
was a post-retirement hobby-business for him. He had both his house and
a nearby storage unit absolutely jam-packed with old gear, hundreds of
systems and peripherals. I bought several bits and bobs off him over a
couple of years. I still have his phone number but am relucant to call
as he isn't listed anywhere anymore - and for all I know he may have
passed on.
Does anybody know of any current, reliable traders of old Mac goodness
in Australia?
Cheers, Ben.

Hi Ben (and others),

I have garage full of old Macs that I am planning to dispose of. They
range from a Classic II upwards.

The only problem is that I am in Hobart.

Please let me know if, and what, your are interested in?

Cheers,

Bill

[i***@gmail.com]

Hi There

Do you still have any old macintosh computers to sell?

Indianna

Post by Bill Dixon

Post by Ben W
Hi all,
It's been a few years since I've done any serious acquistion of old Macs
but the bug has caught me again and I'm keen to acquire some more models
that eluded me first time around, or that I sold off before and now
regret doing so!
There's obviously plenty of stuff that can be sourced from the States,
but for heavier/bulkier items like CRT monitors, printers, All-In-Ones
and larger towers the costs it's not so practical.
Unfortunately it appears the secondhand-Mac market here in Australia has
completed ditched anything pre-Jobsonian… don't know if they've sold out
their remaining gear, if the surplus supplies have run out, or they just
don't see the value in selling anything so far removed from the current
Macintosh environment. New Wave Systems used to have some stuff but
they're all modern-only now. Same with AppleBits, as far as I can tell.
eBay's also a far cry from what it was a decade ago and what systems
that are offered lately have been at insane prices. Personally I'm
hoping it is just a few sharks trying to capitalise on SJ's passing.
Ten years ago when I lived in Melbourne there was an old guy called Ray
(Whitehirst?) who ran Ray's MacWreck down in Williamstown. I think it
was a post-retirement hobby-business for him. He had both his house and
a nearby storage unit absolutely jam-packed with old gear, hundreds of
systems and peripherals. I bought several bits and bobs off him over a
couple of years. I still have his phone number but am relucant to call
as he isn't listed anywhere anymore - and for all I know he may have
passed on.
Does anybody know of any current, reliable traders of old Mac goodness
in Australia?
Cheers, Ben.

Hi Ben (and others),
I have garage full of old Macs that I am planning to dispose of. They
range from a Classic II upwards.
The only problem is that I am in Hobart.
Please let me know if, and what, your are interested in?
Cheers,
Bill

[Stephen Harker]

Another source you can try is <http://www.barefeetware.com/buying/> and
the links given there. I know several of the stores linked to do sell
some older equipment at least to powerpc based.

[z***@gmail.com]

LC475
LC III
SE FDHD
Classic
Classic II
Color Classic
8100/100
8100/110
Quadra 840AV
PM 9600/233
PM G3 minitower 266Mhz
PB 1400C/166 med Sonnet Cresendo G3 333Mhz
PB 17" G3 1Ghz
2X Airport Extreme router from 2003
Airport Extreme card for PowerMac
and a lot of scsi drives. i can ship to AUS

[Barry OGrady]

eBay.

=======
‘A being so powerful and so full of knowledge as a God
who could create the universe, is to our finite minds
omnipotent and omniscient, and it revolts our understanding
to suppose that his benevolence is not unbounded, for what
advantage can there be in the sufferings of millions of the
lower animals throughout almost endless time?’
-Charles Darwin

[z***@gmail.com]

i have theese LC475
LC III
SE FDHD
Classic
Classic II
Color Classic
8100/100
8100/110
Quadra 840AV
PM 9600/233
PM G3 minitower 266Mhz
PB 1400C/166 med Sonnet Cresendo G3 333Mhz
PB 17" G3 1Ghz
2X Airport Extreme router fra 2003
Airport Extreme kort til PowerMac

please respond on my email ***@gmail.com

[Barry OGrady]

eBay.

=======
‘A being so powerful and so full of knowledge as a God
who could create the universe, is to our finite minds
omnipotent and omniscient, and it revolts our understanding
to suppose that his benevolence is not unbounded, for what
advantage can there be in the sufferings of millions of the
lower animals throughout almost endless time?’
-Charles Darwin

[m***@gmail.com]