Walkman Nostalgia Drives Collectors to Spend Thousands on Rare Retro Models
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A collector named Mark Ip spent $10,000 on 3 rare silver Tiffany & Co. edition Sony Walkmans, which were made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the device. He displays them on his popular Instagram account.
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Another collector, Stephen Ho, sells Walkmans on eBay for up to $3,780, though most sell for less. He says all ages buy them - older people for nostalgia and younger people because they think they're cool and retro.
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Ip couldn't afford a Walkman when he was younger but now has an obsession and collection of around 1,000 models. He doesn't plan to sell them but wants to showcase the devices to younger generations.
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Ho worked for Sony and has a passion for their products. He tries to limit his budget for new Walkman purchases to $600 but paid nearly $2,500 for a Tiffany edition.
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Older tech like Walkmans can potentially last forever as long as you have batteries. Some entrepreneurs are using 3D printing to make spare parts to extend their lifespan.