Oh how times have changed
The book I’m reading is from 2002. A brand new 1200 now is at least $1000, and second hand costs at least $500 if it’s pretty beaten.
Thats what happens when a good product stops being produced…
Why did they stop being produced anyways?
The official reason:
[quote]
Panasonic reactive statement - Production of analogue turntables has ceased
Panasonic has confirmed that it ceased the production of its Technics-branded analogue turntables this autumn.
After more than 35 years as a leading manufacturer of analogue turntables, Panasonic has regretfully taken the decision to leave this market. However, Panasonic will continue to sell headphones under the Technics brand.
We are sure that retailers and consumers will understand that our product range has to reflect the accelerating transformation of the entire audio market from analogue to digital.
In addition, the number of component suppliers serving the analogue market has dwindled in recent years and we brought forward the decision to leave the market rather than risk being unable to fulfil future orders because of a lack of parts.
Panasonic employees who have been working on the analogue turntable range have been redeployed elsewhere within Panasonic - many of them continuing to work in Panasonic´s Audio Video Business Unit. [/quote]
Are beaten 1200s really $500 over there? Mk2s in decent condition without all the extras (box/lid/cart) are about £200/$300 each on the used market here in the UK.
Really? Yeah, check the U.S. e-bay, a pretty scratched/beten 1200 is around $500.
Tech’s when new in Australia were always around $1200-$1400 each, used their about $400-600 each. We got ripped off 
Thank god I’ve got 2 pairs sitting in the loft and a third right here in the studio with me.
I do want some badly
I’ve got 2 custom pairs here in the UK that ain’t sold yet. It might be worth offering free shipping to the US if I can get the kind of money people are paying for customs over there!
I paid $800 each for my set brand new (2003-04). They got cheap towards the end.
I still regularly see sets sell for $1000 a pair secondhand over here in Australia..
We get them in pretty regularly at Guitar Center and pirce them at $350 USD a piece for good condition. That’s not really that bad for them.