“If you are one of those people who hoards old electronics, then you might be able to cash in those iPods from the early 2000s for a few hundred dollars – or even tens of thousands,” Nicky Woolf reports for The Guardian.
“iPods from the early 2000s are becoming the latest collectible items to be trading at frankly ludicrous prices on auction sites like eBay – especially since Apple announced in September 2014 that it was discontinuing the iPod [classic],” Woolf reports. “A factory-sealed third-generation iPod shuffle? $999.95. Mint condition fifth-generation iPod classic, in white? $1,394.99. A silver first-generation iPod mini? Yours for $2,499.99.”
“If you have a special edition, especially if it’s still in its original packaging, you could be looking at much more: Apple’s fourth-generation red-and-black special edition released in partnership with the band U2 are trading for around $7,000, used,” Woolf reports. “A first generation iPod classic – “battery is really good for its age” – is on sale priced at $9,999.99. A second-generation, still-boxed iPod classic – that’s the last version that had the moving wheel – is currently listed for an extraordinary $19,999.99.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Holy crap! (desk drawers being flung open throughout the palatial MDN headquarters)
The big money, though, to be sure, is in unopened, factory sealed products, not those old 40GB 3rd gen. iPods we just found that still work and while they were well taken care of, have nonetheless been opened and used. Those are going for under $100 on eBay right now. We’re keeping ours!
Wow.
“First post” much?
🙂
In my opinion, the 3rd gen iPod (which can only charge from a FireWire connection) has GREAT sound quality. It sounds “brighter” than later iPods (and other Apple devices). I upgraded mine with a mod to replace its 15GB hard drive with a 64GB SDXC card on an adapter, plus a higher-capacity battery.
I also have an iPod mini (originally just 4GB) with a 64GB SDXC card (on a different adapter). These old iPods are eminently repairable and upgradable, without soldering skills.
There was a time when iPods came to our place and found a place to stay. We have a 3rd gen. 20 gig iPod (needs a new battery). A 8gb iPod Mini, 2nd gen. iPod Nano (around somewhere) all working fine.
Also there is the 16gb iPod Nano (latest). A 60 gb 4th gen. iPod Photo in great shape. A 5th gen. 80gb which still acts as the music server. And the piece de resistance is the last “Classic” a 7th gen. 160 gb model still in the sealed box with a receipt. That last one is an investment. It’s appreciation value is currently three time the original price.
I didn’t include the two Touches because they are pure iOS devices.
I still rate the “Classics” as the best sounding devices partly because of those that had the Wolfson DACs. Some of the Nanos also had this chip as well.
1 share of AAPL would have been a better investment 🙂
I have an original first gen in mint condition. No scratches at all because it was in a soft case the whole time. Still works perfectly and I have the box, charger and cables. Wahoo!!
I just couldn’t get rid of it but maybe I can now. It so clearly represented a change in my life. Guess it will depend on what I can get for it.
Well, I reckon I better keep my day job. Daughter’s original 5GB drive iPod that had orange juice spilled on it on way to school is still a bit gummed up.
Nick,
It was meant to be a replacement for the 80gb model and the appreciation in value is a bonus. Also, when I eventually sell it there’s no tax to pay.
I forgot to add that the 300 percent appreciation is in less than two years!