ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

A place to discuss the ZX80's and ZX81's younger brother - the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
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valentin
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Location: Faversham, UK

ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by valentin »

Hello,

Can anyone explain me how this ZX Spectrum 48K (issue 4A), in such a poor condition, no accessories and untested, could fetch so much money?
Valentin
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1024MAK
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Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by 1024MAK »

It’s hard to put into words the madness of eBay at the best of times…!

My thoughts are that it may be a combination of possible reasons, first, the organisation that is selling it is a Registered charity. This and that they are trying to be honest about the condition of the item they are selling gives confidence to bidders (bidders have more trust in the seller). With the added incentive that the money will go towards good causes.

Second, that particular issue board may be less common than others. In particular, it has blue screen print on a light/cream PCB.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
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ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

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Lardo Boffin
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Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Lardo Boffin »

To echo Mark the ‘yellow’ PCBs typically get £80 + on eBay as they are far less common than the green PCBs. Or at least assumed to be - most Spectrums are sold without sight of the motherboard.

To be fair they would look cool in a clear Spectrum case. And of course - charity! I bid on this but didn’t win. :cry:

I know an avid Spectrum collector who took a long time to obtain a 4A (I think - was a few years ago) so I’m assuming this is the least common of the less common!
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Moggy
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Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Moggy »

I have a nice clean shiny green Samsung 4S mother board in my 48+ not sure of its rarity or value, it has the harder wearing plastic keyboard tails which is a bonus I suppose.
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1024MAK
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Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by 1024MAK »

Rubber keys with an Issue one board and same age keyboard - fairly rare and go for silly prices. Believed only about 1000 made…

Issue five boards are also not very common, but I don’t know if they go for a premium.

Other issue boards demand far less money.

The Samsung made 4S boards are fairly common, As are issue two, issue three and issue 6A. It’s harder to say about the other issue boards.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Lardo Boffin »

ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Moggy wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:17 pm I have a nice clean shiny green Samsung 4S mother board in my 48+ not sure of its rarity or value, it has the harder wearing plastic keyboard tails which is a bonus I suppose.
Not commercially very valuable I don’t think but you did save £20 by not having to replace the membrane!
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Moggy
Posts: 3231
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Moggy »

As its only function is to power my EPROM programmer it should see my time out. :lol:
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX Spectrum in poor condition on eBay

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Continuing the theme:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sinclair-ZX8 ... 635-2958-0

Currently at £28 and sold as white screen only!
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
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