Another IBM M15 hits eBay, starting price $850

As predicted, this week’s anomalous pricing on an IBM M15 split ergonomic keyboard has not gone unnoticed. Another M15 just hit eBay, with a starting price of $850. This one is IBM-branded (not Lexmark or OPTIONS by IBM) and does not include the original box or the number pad. The keyboard also has a crack in the adjustment mechanism.
Text from the auction:
It’s a desirable keyboard (especially with the blue IBM logo), but we can clearly see the effect of the M15 price spike on it. Considering the ongoing auction at $1625 (there as been no change in the price since Friday), $850 might seem like a deal but given the previous trending price of about $600, it’s rather bold. This is especially true considering that the delicate adjustment mechanism is cracked, as optimistic as the seller is about the damaged part.
The seller does have 100% positive feedback, which is a good sign, and can boost the price a bit.
The auction was also set to a 10-day length, a popular tactic for rare items. That noted, auctions aimed at super-savvy computer users tend to be won with last-second snipes, unless the item hits a price that the market can no longer bear. That price will probably be revealed in a few hours, when this auction ends.
See the IBM M15’s eBay auction.
Update: Well, this is interesting. It’s not a 1-day auction and there is already a bid. The bidder is the same person who is the current top bidder on the other M15 auction.
It looks like someone is creating a bit of a stockpile. Either it’s an avid user who wants to be sure he’s covered in the event of multiple M15 failures or a collector who is banking on these prices continuing to rise.
This auction has just 6 hours and 45 minutes, left, which means it’s actually going to end before the other auction!