10-10-2010, 05:43 PM

Okay, so I'm looking at these computers on craigslist. 2 Biege G3's, 1 B&W G3, and a Mac Mini with 1 GB of ram, 40 GB HD, and 1.25 GHz Processor. What would be a good price to get these computers at, to where I could still re-sell them for a profit?

10-10-2010, 05:51 PM

Here's a good place to start:

Mac2Sell - Guide to used Mac, iPad, iPhone & iPod - Evaluation - Argus Mac, iPod, iPad, iPhone Occasion

I'd say that putting a value on the G3's is like putting on value on an '81 Chevette with a bent up fender. That is, they're worth what you're willing to pay. The Mac Mini, on the other hand, maybe $200-300, depending on how complete the package is and what kind of shape it's in.

As far as finding a buyer to sell them to at a profit, you're on your own there. As with most things, it all depends on the kind of buyer.

10-10-2010, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Here's a good place to start:

Mac2Sell - Guide to used Mac, iPad, iPhone & iPod - Evaluation - Argus Mac, iPod, iPad, iPhone Occasion

I'd say that putting a value on the G3's is like putting on value on an '81 Chevette with a bent up fender. That is, they're worth what you're willing to pay. The Mac Mini, on the other hand, maybe $200-300, depending on how complete the package is and what kind of shape it's in.

As far as finding a buyer to sell them to at a profit, you're on your own there. As with most things, it all depends on the kind of buyer.

Thanks. I checked Mac2Sell already and it gave me a $50 result on the mac mini? o_0 I knew that was nowhere near close. But as for the G3's, Didn't the biege have some other port besides usb? Did it even have vga for the Monitor? I imagine those are worth near to nothing nowadays. The B&W still has some life in it though if you ask me.

10-10-2010, 06:00 PM

Oh. Also forgot to mention in my original post that the Mini is a G4. Not Intel. Maybe that's why the price on Mac2Sell was so low?

10-10-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

Oh. Also forgot to mention in my original post that the Mini is a G4. Not Intel. Maybe that's why the price on Mac2Sell was so low?

Could be. I think $50 is a bit low, even for a PPC Mac Mini. They're going on eBay for a lot more than that.

10-10-2010, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

Oh. Also forgot to mention in my original post that the Mini is a G4. Not Intel. Maybe that's why the price on Mac2Sell was so low?

I saw a G4 1.25mhz Mac-mini on my local Craig's List for $150 2 days ago. I don't think that the seller was going to negotiate much on the price...I might of gotten it for $125.

1.5 years ago I got a 1.42ghz G4 Mac-mini for $125...so really (relative to that price) if I were buying another one...I wouldn't want to pay more than $75-$90.

One VERY VERY important thing with G4 Mac-mini's is you need to buy them with airport (and bluetooth if you want it). Airport was optional on these...and installing it later (after you buy) is pretty expensive.

Like "cwa107" said...those G3's are are pretty old & hard to value. Personally I wouldn't spend more than $20 for each if you're feeling generous. I can usually get them for $10 bucks each when I get them.

- Nick

10-10-2010, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

I saw a G4 1.25mhz Mac-mini on my local Craig's List for $150 2 days ago. I don't think that the seller was going to negotiate much on the price...I might of gotten it for $125.

1.5 years ago I got a 1.42ghz G4 Mac-mini for $125...so really (relative to that price) if I were buying another one...I wouldn't want to pay more than $75-$90.

One VERY VERY important thing with G4 Mac-mini's is you need to buy them with airport (and bluetooth if you want it). Airport was optional on these...and installing it later (after you buy) is pretty expensive.

Like "cwa107" said...those G3's are are pretty old & hard to value. Personally I wouldn't spend more than $20 for each if you're feeling generous. I can usually get them for $10 bucks each when I get them.

- Nick

Okay, thanks Nick. I got a reply from the seller saying that he wanted $325 for the Mini and $50 each for the G3's. .... Guess it's time to break it to him that these computers are nowhere near as much as he thinks they are.

10-10-2010, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

Okay, thanks Nick. I got a reply from the seller saying that he wanted $325 for the Mini and $50 each for the G3's. .... Guess it's time to break it to him that these computers are nowhere near as much as he thinks they are.

Ask him what he's smoking, because I'd like some of it.

10-10-2010, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Ask him what he's smoking, because I'd like some of it.

My thoughts exactly!!!

- Nick

10-10-2010, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

Okay, thanks Nick. I got a reply from the seller saying that he wanted $325 for the Mini and $50 each for the G3's. .... Guess it's time to break it to him that these computers are nowhere near as much as he thinks they are.

Unfortunately...many of the sellers asking this much are actually what I call "Professional Craig's List Sellers". They know exactly what these computers are worth, they know that they're prices are way high, they won't negotiate much...and so they keep relisting the unsold item.

I'm guessing you won't be purchasing any of these.

- Nick

10-10-2010, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Unfortunately...many of the sellers asking this much are actually what I call "Professional Craig's List Sellers". They know exactly what these computers are worth, they know that they're prices are way high, they won't negotiate much...and so they keep relisting the unsold item.

I'm guessing you won't be purchasing any of these.

- Nick

Actually, It's a reply to a Want Ad that I have posted. Although he does have the Mini Posted, but not the G3's. Anyway, I just got another e-mail with somebody wanting to sell a Clamshell with Yo-Yo adapter for $80. Which I don't think is too out of the ballpark. How high do you think I can go and still have some profit for resale? Thanks.

10-10-2010, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

Actually, It's a reply to a Want Ad that I have posted. Although he does have the Mini Posted, but not the G3's. Anyway, I just got another e-mail with somebody wanting to sell a Clamshell with Yo-Yo adapter for $80. Which I don't think is too out of the ballpark. How high do you think I can go and still have some profit for resale? Thanks.

If you're in the business to buy used Mac's and resell them for a profit...I think that you have to make your own calls.

But I will offer one bit of advice if you don't mind. If you want to do this...don't "bottom feed" with these really old Mac's. You need to buy MUCH newer Mac's in the 2-3 year old range ($500-$700)...and not expect to make much more than $50-$75 on each (if you're lucky).

Remember...I purchased a Clamshell iBook with Yo-Yo adapter for $20 bucks (a great deal). For you buying one for $80, and then expecting to sell it for a profit could be tough. Maybe on e-Bay...on CL it's tougher.

I'll pass along my buying experience from today. I got a 1.25ghz G4 eMac with one of the nice new Apple aluminum keyboards for $45. I don't really need the keyboard...so I may sell it for $20-$25...which will make my actual computer cost for a 1.25ghz eMac only $20-$25. I could probably easily sell this computer for $100-$125 if I wanted to...but I buy these for my own pleasure & interest!

These sort of great deals are few & far between...certainly not frequent enough to make any money at buying & selling them.

Good luck,

- Nick

10-10-2010, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

If you're in the business to buy used Mac's and resell them for a profit...I think that you have to make your own calls.

But I will offer one bit of advice if you don't mind. If you want to do this...don't "bottom feed" with these really old Mac's. You need to buy MUCH newer Mac's in the 2-3 year old range ($500-$700)...and not expect to make much more than $50-$75 on each (if you're lucky).

Remember...I purchased a Clamshell iBook with Yo-Yo adapter for $20 bucks (a great deal). For you buying one for $80, and then expecting to sell it for a profit could be tough. Maybe on e-Bay...on CL it's tougher.

I'll pass along my buying experience from today. I got a 1.25ghz G4 eMac with one of the nice new Apple aluminum keyboards for $45. I don't really need the keyboard...so I may sell it for $20-$25...which will make my actual computer cost for a 1.25ghz eMac only $20-$25. I could probably easily sell this computer for $100-$125 if I wanted to...but I buy these for my own pleasure & interest!

These sort of great deals are few & far between...certainly not frequent enough to make any money at buying & selling them.

Good luck,

- Nick

I know Nick. But you need to start somewhere! I'm just trying to learn now, as this is the sort of thing that I really want to do when I get older. You guys seem to have A LOT more experience than I do with these sort of things. So I figured I'd come here for a little advice on my first buy/resell purchase as I don't wanna get ripped off on my first one!

10-10-2010, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by MacDude121

I know Nick. But you need to start somewhere! I'm just trying to learn now, as this is the sort of thing that I really want to do when I get older. You guys seem to have A LOT more experience than I do with these sort of things. So I figured I'd come here for a little advice on my first buy/resell purchase as I don't wanna get ripped off on my first one!

Gotcha, just don't support this guy's crack habit.

10-10-2010, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Gotcha, just don't support this guy's crack habit.

LOL The "crack guy" hasn't responded in a while! This is a different person.