well, this is a 3000 series, so only about 2 years, I think 97/98.....then came the 4000 series, for about another 2 years......then the digitals came around 1999 or 2000......
most likely they only had them for 2 years, as they bought them used....or they were in the house they bought, and that as 2 years ago, thats how most people relate time frames....not a matter of how old the machine is, its how long they have had it....