itsralph

I'll take them all, PM sent

I would also like to say that this has been one of the most civil, thoughtful and interesting threads I have seen on this forum, even though it went off-topic, so thanks to all!

Well I can tell you at age 53 my mortgage is paid, my kids are grown, I don't feel that old, still enjoy the games, my hands work fine as long as I don't play for more than a few hours, most of my friends still play video games, and we have been doing it since Pong. We are not geeks, but ex-jocks and preppies now attorneys, senior managers, and doctors. Yes I play Call of Duty, Quake, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and such, but frankly shooting Bounty Bob out of that cannon still grabs me. Yes my tastes have changed, that is why I buy these games, not for an investment or to resell but to appreciate the history and do my bit to keep history a living thing. Plus I have the space to do it in.

If eBay ever does it then that's it for me for buying, too many newbs to contend with, I simply won't waste time trying to babysit auctions, and shilling will be out of control. Snipe me and that's fine, I'll snipe you back with 2 seconds left, but don't sit there and peck the hell out of me for an hour. The sites that do this blather on about the "fairness" but there is nothing "unfair" about making a reasoned decision about how much you are willing to pay and then sticking it it up there and hoping it sticks in the last few seconds.

There is a pic in the auction of the documentation which clearly lists Liberty Lake .. even though the stamp on the bottom says Spokane. Liberty Lake is just outside of Spokane, so pretty much the same thing.

I have two cases of these on the way and will sell for a very reasonable price to any AA member. Not sure how much these weigh each so I won't be able to quote a price until I get them, but it will be less for sure. PM me if interested and I will contact you when they arrive.

That's because their wives eventually end up winning the battle of the "usable & organized living space"

OK that's pretty cool, but I don't see 007 on it anywhere, was it really marketed as that?

that is true to a point and then all of a sudden the mortgage is paid, the kids are gone, and if you have a healthy income it piles up faster than you know what to do with it. While wanting to leave some for the kids, frankly it is way more fun to spend it. You are careful with the bulk to be sure, but that still leaves a pretty big wad to spend. So you can either go out and buy a Harley or a Vette or that cigarette boat to kill yourself in or buy rare games and savor the feeling of being one of the few who have the pleasure of having those 10's. It is akin to collecting rare art, you buy it because you love the history and the rarity, and having it appreciate in value is a pleasurable side note. ***runs off to fondle carts***

I'll doubt it. People who really have big $$$ to blow on useless toys are not going to impress their friends with a 1K$ atari cartridge. They will spend their money on the really expensive stuff.... You might be very surprised at what people with big $$ collect. Rare collectables attract new buyers as the price goes up, not the other way around. Atari carts are no different, and it is a system that most people who are now reaching the top of their careers and $$-power remember well due to it's popularity. At any rate, I don't want to drag this thread too far off-topic, I am just throwing in a different point of view, and feel free to sell me your 9's and 10's at "must-go" prices.

It's actually a pretty good idea, I have seen many auctions where the fixed BIN price was too high and then I send the "if it doesn't sell will you sell it to me at "X" price" e-mail. Most of the time they just ignore it or say no, occasionally they sell it. My theory is it never hurts to ask but there have been a couple of times when they got real indignant and threatened to report me. This way you know up front if they will consider taking less, and and also saves the seller the hassle of re-listing.

If they don't specify a shipping amount then I don't bid. Period. I learned years ago that is a sure sign they are going to charge an outrageous sum, then ship in a poorly padded envelope or crappy squashed-up box via Media Mail and pocket the difference.

I predict it will be the opposite, that as prices increase it attracts new collectors with money who may not have the same fondness for Atari that most of us have, but who find satisfaction in displaying high-priced toys that few people have.

It's mostly for people who don't want to be bothered getting rid of their crap who wouldn't fool with a garage sale anyway, and with fees around 30% I don't see it eating into the garage-sale scene.

The small fee is for delivery within 50 miles, not local pickup.

pm sent

I agree with you wholeheartedly, and thanks for stepping up and saying it.

There are many who take the time to to report violators and scammers, but don't mention it here because they get tired of hearing that it is none of their business, that they should just look the other way, that it is un-American, that they are tools of corporate greed, that eBay doesn't care, that they are cry-babies, that they should stop tracking mud across the clean kitchen floor...

Looks like a cheap Brazilian pillow to me

At the least, you can post a follow up on the neg with an explanation that you erred and ask bidders to disregard. That way anyone who is actually checking the feedback will see plainly that it was done in haste. With her excellent feedback rating this would be an easy way to fix the problem if you decide not to go through Square Trade.

PM sent

I have no opinion, therefore I have nothing to say... except you were completely and utterly wrong, plus now you have some kind of mutant cart fungus growing in your collection.

What is that thing, a shift console? I think I see the problem, they only used 8 peanuts for packing! Jeeez, that is sad...