How to sell a DEC VAX 4000/500?

[wcool]

Hi all,

For the last 20 years I own a DEC VAX 4000 with matching disk station and VT terminal screen.
It's a development machine from 1992 I believe.

I am moving to another house in a few months and because I haven't used the computer in more than 10 years, I would like to sell it.

Would anyone have an idea how to go about this? I can sell it on Ebay but shipping would be a problem. I have no idea how much and if enthusiasts are interested. Also, would computer museums be interested?

Any tips or pointers appreciated

Thanks,
Jeroen

EDIT: my location is Galway, Ireland as that might make a big difference for your recommendations

[arne_v]

I only see two options:

1) Announce it as "free for a good home" various places including comp.os.vms and hope that some hobbyist can come by and it up.

2) Check if IslandCo are looking for that VAX model.

[sodjan]

Maybe take it apart, sell the electronics as spare parts (easier to ship world-wide) and then scrap the metal housing.
Or build a nice storage cabinet for your Teeling bottles...

[wcool]

Thanks for the replies sofar, it seems there is not much (yet?) historical and hobby interest in these machines compared to let's say a VAX 11.

But it would pain me to dismantle the computer as it is fully working and fully loaded with almost any computer language available from that time,

[babydr]

@wcool , Has anyone reached out to you on comp.os.vms or any of the other resources ?
I can tell you for sure that any of the shipping agents will want near $400-500 to ship the unit even within the contigous 48 states . I do hope along with you that someone in your localish area might find the device(s) interesting .

[dmjb]

I'm based in Ireland, but I already have a VAXstation and don't have the space to take on one of the larger VAX 4000 systems.... I can ask around if you want and see if anyone may be interested in it?

[wcool]

@babydr I haven't used Usenet in years, I'll ask around.
@dmjb Yes please, much appreciated.

[cct]

You can access comp.os.vms through Google groups - not the best, but plenty do

Chris

[mrvxt]

Ebay works and you should be able to check there for pricing trends for VAXen. I think you'd be amazed...I know I am any time I look for VMS-capable gear. You wouldn't need to setup a "store" to sell, if your selling volume would be low it doesn't make sense to go to the extra effort. Local pickup can be an advantage but shipping might be expensive especially if the weight/size pushes you into actual "freight" territory. I've had BA400-size gear shipped to me by FEDEX and UPS but the packaging got beaten to death. The chassis (in both cases it was just the BARE chassis without the plastic "skin") survived just fine. I can't advise you about international shipping, packing or freight requirements (some shippers require a palette and strapping for instance) though. I'm not sure if the UK has a "Craigslist" type service but that might also be an option...

Kinda wish I were closer to Galway, I've needed a Q-Bus capable chassis for testing since about 2014...