HP42S Purchase -- was I soaked? Message #1 Posted by Les Wright on 28 May 2006, 12:20 a.m.
Greetings all,
Inspired by Thomas Okken's excellent work with Free42, I have kept my eyeballs peeled for a real HP42S.
Tonight, I stumbled across one in the last 17 minutes of an online auction on a website whose name I care not to mention for fear of inspiring groans and eyeball rolling. After a few minutes of fierce back and forth (hopefully against real bidders and not a "shill"), I landed this coveted fish for US$305. I thought this seemed not bad, since I am sure I have seen these things go for upwards of $400.
The manual, case, and box are included. The seller claims the thing is in working condition and indeed at least one of the screen shots shows the calculator on with a normal looking 2-line 42S display.
However, it is hardly mint, as the prior owner did a number on the faceplate just above the keypad scratching his initials therein--once I get the device I will seek advice about how (or whether) to restore this. Also, in some of the closeups there seems to be crud, dust, skin bits, etc, in the some of the key wells.
Forget that I am in Canada and still have to worry about shipping and perhaps duty. Just considering the description and the final price, did I do well, or .... (refer to subject line query here). I understand that HP42S's though not rare, are not flooding the market, so it is not uncommon for them to sell for several times their original MSRP of $120.
best,
Les
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