Need help finding Spectrums in London - visiting in November
Hi there,
I need some help from all of the english members of this forum, or more specifically anyone located in the London area.
Late last year, earlier this year I sold my complete retro collection, including a Spectrum 128, Spectrum+ and Spectrum +3 and some add-ons. The idea was for me to completely refocus my life as a father and at the same time realise some of the money I had invested in the collection.
Now my situation is more stable and I find myself sorry that I sold the whole of the collection, especially the +3 machine. But the prices I have to pay on eBay (having to include astronomical postage costs for shipping to Denmark) are preventing me from bidding on anything at the moment. I am not willing to spend as much money as before, I just want one machine in my 'play-room' (ie. office) to play around with and get that real retro feeling that the emulators can't give me.
So last week it turns out the company I work for is planning a weekend visit (November 8-10)to London for all employees and their spouses (or girlfriends/boyfriends). This gives me the opportunity to save some of the postage cost I would normally have to pay for the machines. Whoopee!
But how to find old ZX Spectrums in London? This is the question I need some help answering.
Here at WoS I have read about people doing great finds in Gamestation stores, so I would like to know what the chances are of finding a ZX Spectrum in one of these store and where would I find a store near where I am staying in London?
I will be staying at a Hotel very near to Russel Square station, so if anyone can give me any hints for shops or places for this area, it would be greatly appreciated.
I need some help from all of the english members of this forum, or more specifically anyone located in the London area.
Late last year, earlier this year I sold my complete retro collection, including a Spectrum 128, Spectrum+ and Spectrum +3 and some add-ons. The idea was for me to completely refocus my life as a father and at the same time realise some of the money I had invested in the collection.
Now my situation is more stable and I find myself sorry that I sold the whole of the collection, especially the +3 machine. But the prices I have to pay on eBay (having to include astronomical postage costs for shipping to Denmark) are preventing me from bidding on anything at the moment. I am not willing to spend as much money as before, I just want one machine in my 'play-room' (ie. office) to play around with and get that real retro feeling that the emulators can't give me.
So last week it turns out the company I work for is planning a weekend visit (November 8-10)to London for all employees and their spouses (or girlfriends/boyfriends). This gives me the opportunity to save some of the postage cost I would normally have to pay for the machines. Whoopee!
But how to find old ZX Spectrums in London? This is the question I need some help answering.
Here at WoS I have read about people doing great finds in Gamestation stores, so I would like to know what the chances are of finding a ZX Spectrum in one of these store and where would I find a store near where I am staying in London?
I will be staying at a Hotel very near to Russel Square station, so if anyone can give me any hints for shops or places for this area, it would be greatly appreciated.
Post edited by 8bitten on
Comments
Where do I see Spectrums for sale these days? I'd have to say car boot sale. You have to get to them early though, and that may cause some difficulties, but here is a list of some in and around London which might be worth checking the logistics of getting to:
http://www.londonfreelist.com/listings.asp?cat=jumb,Jumble+%2B+Car+Boot+Sales
<edit>They're very often on at the weekends, but check first.
I will go through the list and see if any of the car boot sales are anywhere near where I will be staying.
a) order a +3 from Ebay
b) have it posted to their address
c) meet you close to your hotel with said Spectrum
all details to be worked out before any bidding takes place etc.
If you were coming to Birmingham and was prepared to jump on a train, I would have offered to do exactly this.
I take post a thread in chit-chat and see if anyone can or will help me. I will also have to find an auction of interest. But a business-partner seems to be the first order of business.
I figured next time I'm coming over to England I'm gonna do a google for 'retro events' in the UK and try and time my trip so I'm there when one of them is on.
That way I can hopefully pick up some stuff and as a bonus laugh at WOS nerds attending.
I am aware of the train-possibilities from London, but the problem is I am travelling with the wife, and I don't think she will be supportive of a ZX Spectrum recovery expedition when we have so little time in the city. She is having trouble enough with me and the colleagues going to see a football match saturday.
But if someone else have some interesting suggestions, I am willing to listen.