Hi Folks,

After Sony's announcement last month of the discontinuation of the Walkman, it got me thinking about them – funny as I hadn’t thought of them for 15 years or so when I had one as a teenager. I am wanting to collect a few for display/curious talking point, but have no idea what they may be worth to buy, and can’t help but think that the announcement has sent people crazy and that they are paying big dollars to buy them up now.

In searching the history I started at the beginning (of course) TPS-L2. I’ve followed a few sales on e-bay over the last 2 weeks, and they have achieved some phenomenal prices.

Some went for around US$180-$200 each (even though it may not work or had some corrosion in the battery compartment!), but the most surprising was when one went for US$450! (It was in pretty good condition – included the leather case, but no box, manuals etc.)

And to think I was so hopeful when it had started at $9.99!!! I say that because I searched “completed sales” on e-bay just after the announcement and one had sold a few weeks prior for $US38 or something so I thought I might be able to pick one up for a similar price! (Kudos to you if you bought and on-sold at that price! Kidding – I don’t think it was the same.)

And not just the TPS-L2’s, but other models eg WM-2 going from $50-$150 WM-10/WM-F10 going for $150. I’ve read that a few of you have picked up various Walkman’s from yard/garage/estate sales for small amounts of money (ie, $1, $5, etc) – now, not saying that you were picking up these specific models for that, but I’m just wondering if the prices on e-bay are over the top at the moment? Will we see them come down, or are we in a new world now that Sony has announced the Walkman has walked!

So was wondering any hints on fair prices you think these would be worth on a scale say from – 1 – crappy condition to 10 – Mint boxed condition. I’m more interested in probably ones that are pretty good condition, but not boxed (not that there are many of those for sale.)

1. TPS-L2
2. WM-2
3. WM-10

Thanks.

Them prices are normal for ebay.
The prices has gone up about 2 years ago already.
Not that much related to the Sony announcement.
But others here would know better about that.

Local finds can be much cheaper.

Can anyone explain the price rise of the last few years? does it mean there are more collectors now?

I think that the Vintage Walkman Database tells it best in the staement--Gone are the days of sharp styling,state of the art engieering in a small yet feature laden pakage.were are left with hackneyed,disposable descendants,most of which are bulkier then those made 30 years ago..I my self own about 10 WK2 models-1-WK5 models and a WM-F200..The price range is all over the place,however all my Walkmans work11 That is a indication of there long term value,what electronic product can you buy today that has a projected longjevity of more than 5 years,not even our state of the art flat screens are rated for more than 7 years..lol..Yea The Walkman is (pre 1990 is money in the bank) least I think so..Rick

quote:

Originally posted by shugiflex:
Can anyone explain the price rise of the last few years? does it mean there are more collectors now?

No, it is all about some greedy sellers on Ebay that use shill bidding as their main trade method.

The economy is down worldwide. I, as a seller on eBay can feel that. I have sold, among other sellers many rare Walkmans and almost never reached the $100 mark. While for other sellers I have always paid $150~200 or more. (they obviously shill bidding) that is the reason I have always try to avoid power sellers who sell rare Walkmans. Of course there are exceptions but you can always notice new bidders with zero or few feedbacks and the way they bid.

Good luck for all the bidders out there.
Cheers
TheLion

At first people were cleaning out there closets
so there were lots of players at very low prices,
than sellers realized that some are collectable
thats one reason for the price rize.

There lots of other models out there besides the TPS-L2.
This model is numero uno on collectable list.

quote:

(They obviously use shill biding)

Slightly harsh, although the new anonymous bidder approach by eBay does make shill bidding easier it doesn't automatically mean that shill bidding creates new bidders and forces people to pay more.

If you look at the auctions for the same item that do better than the others you will see that the seller has taken more time over the listing, better honest pics, honest factual information and no growly scary policies. It works, believe me, it works.

Please don't think sellers who do well are all shill bidding. Some are just more serious than others.

quote:

Originally posted by agentorange:

quote:

(They obviously use shill biding)

Slightly harsh, although the new anonymous bidder approach by eBay does make shill bidding easier it doesn't automatically mean that shill bidding creates new bidders and forces people to pay more.

If you look at the auctions for the same item that do better than the others you will see that the seller has taken more time over the listing, better honest pics, honest factual information and no growly scary policies. It works, believe me, it works.

Please don't think sellers who do well are all shill bidding. Some are just more serious than others.

I did say some sellers, not all!
Basically, I agree with you agantorange, but even if the seller put more time in a listing it doesn't prevent him from using shill bidding method. Sorry if it sounds harsh but that is the reality on Ebay today. Just last week I had a seller who relisted the same item 3 times in 10 days and I was one of the winners. needless to say I never received the AIWA Walkman, I guess the winning bid was too low for him and he refund me.

Yeah, that's stinky. You can still leave bad feedback even though you can't leave negative feedback, if you know what I mean?

I'd prefer a seller to shill bid rather than pull out of a sale.

What Aiwa you after, I might have one in stock (I love saying that)?