ColecoVision is hot right now!

[Rik]

Now i realise at what degree classic gaming interest fluctuates.Anyone notice the increasing interest in CV?I seen TREMENDOUS evidence of it from various sources.Just a year ago you can win any game on EBAY with "BUY IT NOW",or simply because no one else has bid on the game you bid on,NOT the case now!

[Pixelboy]

I notice these "upsurges" in ColecoVision items on eBay in the spring (casualties of spring cleaning perhaps?) and in the last few months of the year leading to Christmas. This year has been outstanding in terms of boxed CV games offered on eBay, and the collectors (including me) are circling around those auctions like sharks around a bleeding swimmer in the middle of the ocean (okay, bad imagery, but you get the idea).

[+Psionic]

...the collectors (including me) are circling around those auctions like sharks around a bleeding swimmer in the middle of the ocean (okay, bad imagery, but you get the idea).

No, that's a pretty good analogy, considering you just paid over $100 for a CIB Frenzy (which is more than five times the normal price), and $200 for a CIB Galaxian (twice the normal price). Those are new highs for those two titles by a far margin.

 

Honestly though...there's no question that ColecoVision prices have been going up, but the fact is that it's mainly a result of a few jokers throwing money around...and it's not just Pixelboy. If you watch auctions, it's almost always the same people who are bidding against eachother and winning auctions for boxed games at insane prices. Most of these people have only been collecting for a few months and they have no experience with what these games usually sell for. The Coleco pond is a very small one indeed, and it only takes a few rocks to make a big splash.

[Pixelboy]

No, that's a pretty good analogy, considering you just paid over $100 for a CIB Frenzy (which is more than five times the normal price), and $200 for a CIB Galaxian (twice the normal price). Those are new highs for those two titles by a far margin.

Just scored a boxed Star Wars Arcade for 56$. More reasonable, I'd say. Frenzy was expensive, but it's unusually rare to find it with the box. I dunno why...

 

Honestly though...there's no question that ColecoVision prices have been going up, but the fact is that it's mainly a result of a few jokers throwing money around...and it's not just Pixelboy. If you watch auctions, it's almost always the same people who are bidding against eachother and winning auctions for boxed games at insane prices. Most of these people have only been collecting for a few months and they have no experience with what these games usually sell for. The Coleco pond is a very small one indeed, and it only takes a few rocks to make a big splash.

I've been monitoring eBay almost every day for well over two years now. I have a pretty good idea of the actual value of these games, and yes, I'm aware I'm overpaying for them. However, when a boxed CV game pops up on eBay that is so rare that it only makes appearances once or twice per year, you have two choices: Either break the ol' piggy bank now, or wait six more months and hope that the deep-pocketed CV collectors of today will have retired by then, which is unlikely.

 

It's not really a question of actual market value where eBay is concerned. It all comes down to rarity, and the desire of collectors to complete their collections. I'll probably never forget how I lost those two boxed Xonox double-enders recently...

[+Psionic]

I've been monitoring eBay almost every day for well over two years now. I have a pretty good idea of the actual value of these games, and yes, I'm aware I'm overpaying for them. However, when a boxed CV game pops up on eBay that is so rare that it only makes appearances once or twice per year, you have two choices: Either break the ol' piggy bank now, or wait six more months and hope that the deep-pocketed CV collectors of today will have retired by then, which is unlikely.

You can spend your money however you like...but those pop up far more than once or twice per year.

 

It's not really a question of actual market value where eBay is concerned. It all comes down to rarity, and the desire of collectors to complete their collections.

Indeed...it seems a lot of bidders are leaving their sanity at the door. The desire of people to complete their collections often exceeds the rarity of the games they are bidding on by a wide margin.

 

I'll probably never forget how I lost those two boxed Xonox double-enders recently...

Now those are actually worth shelling out $$ for...those hardly ever show up.

[Zonie]

Hmmm... Maybe it's time to put my CV up on the block!!!! I don't use it anyway.

[Jess Ragan]

I've definitely been noticing this trend. Back in August (way before Christmas and way after spring), I was looking for a ColecoVision to replace the motherboard I salvaged from an old CV in my parent's barn. I did some searching on eBay and on average, ColecoVision game systems were going for double the price of similarly equipped Atari 5200s. The only way I could afford one was to purchase an "as is" unit, and even that set me back $20 to $30. Naturally, it didn't work properly, but at least I had a shell for my fully functional motherboard!

 

On the flip side of the coin, there were a couple lots of ColecoVision games that recently went for great prices on eBay. Last night, a set including Frenzy, Burgertime, and about six other uncommon loose cartridges sold for roughly twenty dollars. I thought about bidding but decided against it due to my tight budget... now I'm second guessing that decision.

[+Psionic]

I've definitely been noticing this trend. Back in August (way before Christmas and way after spring), I was looking for a ColecoVision to replace the motherboard I salvaged from an old CV in my parent's barn. I did some searching on eBay and on average, ColecoVision game systems were going for double the price of similarly equipped Atari 5200s. The only way I could afford one was to purchase an "as is" unit, and even that set me back $20 to $30. Naturally, it didn't work properly, but at least I had a shell for my fully functional motherboard!

Fully functional ColecoVision systems have always sold high...probably because there are so many broken ones. Mint, boxed complete units can command very high dollar amounts.

 

On the flip side of the coin, there were a couple lots of ColecoVision games that recently went for great prices on eBay. Last night, a set including Frenzy, Burgertime, and about six other uncommon loose cartridges sold for roughly twenty dollars. I thought about bidding but decided against it due to my tight budget... now I'm second guessing that decision.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Bargains on loose carts, especially those sold in lots like you describe, are still fairly plentiful. Just like Atari 2600, it's the boxed games that are going for nutty prices.

[Jess Ragan]

I've heard that the power switch is the reason so many of these units malfunction. They wear out over time, making it difficult to switch on the system and giving the ColecoVision insufficient power to operate. I kind of wish I had known that earlier, because I would have tested the switch itself on my as-is unit rather than trying to replace the graphics chip.

[Zwackery]

CV - especially boxed titles - have been on an amazing upswing in value...makes me wish I was concentrating more on CV a couple of years ago instead of 2600, 5200, 7800, and Vectrex. My Colecovision was my second console after the 2600, and I really like the system (yes, even the joysticks!) and its game library to this day. I was just playing some Mr. Do! earlier tonight.

[homerwannabee]

I've been monitoring eBay almost every day for well over two years now. I have a pretty good idea of the actual value of these games, and yes, I'm aware I'm overpaying for them. However, when a boxed CV game pops up on eBay that is so rare that it only makes appearances once or twice per year, you have two choices: Either break the ol' piggy bank now, or wait six more months and hope that the deep-pocketed CV collectors of today will have retired by then, which is unlikely.

You can spend your money however you like...but those pop up far more than once or twice per year.

 

It's not really a question of actual market value where eBay is concerned. It all comes down to rarity, and the desire of collectors to complete their collections.

Indeed...it seems a lot of bidders are leaving their sanity at the door. The desire of people to complete their collections often exceeds the rarity of the games they are bidding on by a wide margin.

 

I'll probably never forget how I lost those two boxed Xonox double-enders recently...

Now those are actually worth shelling out $$ for...those hardly ever show up.

Ok, can you explain your rational to me. Why are you upset that your collection is now worth more money. Please explain to me why you are griping about this? Really I am not trying to argue with you, I just don't understand you anger is all about. Most people would be happy that their collection is worth more and that more people are jumping into the hobby to join in on the fun. It comes across that you are upset about this. Especially since you call these new people jokers. Again, what is your rational for being angry

[CPUWIZ]

Ok, can you explain your rational to me. Why are you upset that your collection is now worth more money. Please explain to me why you are griping about this? Really I am not trying to argue with you, I just don't understand you anger is all about. Most people would be happy that their collection is worth more and that more people are jumping into the hobby to join in on the fun. It comes across that you are upset about this. Especially since you call these new people jokers. Again, what is your rational for being angry

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I strongly believe you are in this hobby for the wrong reason and I think it is actually contributing to the fact that you have had a hard time with interfacing with the female part of our population.

 

* pets tube of newly discovered Atlantis II mask ROM's *

[homerwannabee]

Ok, can you explain your rational to me. Why are you upset that your collection is now worth more money. Please explain to me why you are griping about this? Really I am not trying to argue with you, I just don't understand you anger is all about. Most people would be happy that their collection is worth more and that more people are jumping into the hobby to join in on the fun. It comes across that you are upset about this. Especially since you call these new people jokers. Again, what is your rational for being angry

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I strongly believe you are in this hobby for the wrong reason and I think it is actually contributing to the fact that you have had a hard time with interfacing with the female part of our population.

 

* pets tube of newly discovered Atlantis II mask ROM's *

No problem those ROM's only make my Atlantis II docs more valuable;) Also, huh? I have explained a couple of times why I am in this hobby.

Maybe you can explain the reason for wanting the hobby small and prices to remain low and maybe even go lower.

 

But I will go over my reasons again. Believe it or not I actually have multiple reasons to be in this hobby

 

1. This is one of the few hobbies where you don't have to be rich in order to get the extremely rare items.

2. This hobby is has never hit mainstream. Most people in the hobby also think it is stupid to put money into games as an investment. In 1986 someone paid the highest price for a comic book when they bought a mint condition Action comic #1 for $26,000. Many people thought he was stupid at the time for doing so. 20 years later that same man had an offer of $2,000,000 for that same comic. I really believe that certain games in this hobby will be worth a whole lot more in about 20 years time as well. Always go against what the masses think when it comes to investments. Especially when you have a very rational reason to do so.

3. Although I had a lot of baseball cards and some comics, the most time I spent as a youth in my free time was with video games.

4. At the moment collecting video games is not cool especially with the Atari. 20 years from now when it is cool I will be praised for my foresight into knowing that this would happen. Also when people start saying how nobody could of ever expected that a Video Game of all things would be a Million dollars they point to me and say well Homerwannabee did harp on this quite a bit I really don't know how he saw that coming.

5. I don't have a girlfriend so I need something to use my free time on. Collecting and playing the Atari 2600 gives me the opportunity not to think about how I have no girlfriend. I will readily admit that the Atari 2600 is my substitute girlfriend. And unlike most women she doesn't care about who I am. Her main thing is to provide simple entertainment for me. Also unlike other escape devices the Atari 2600 will not screw me up like drugs and alcohol will.

6. I feel that this hobby does not get the respect that it deserves. It was extremely influential in American history, but people usually gloss over it. I on a personal level can relate to this because at times I also feel I don't get the respect I deserve.

7. My original goal was simple. To collect every NTSC U.S. released game for the Atari 2600. Little did I know at the time how hard this would be. As of today I still have not achieved this goal and I will never will.

8. I am a very rational person. As a kid I was very proficient in math and loved to play chess. Unlike you, I actually need a rational(AKA not nostalgia which is more emotional) reason to do things. If it is not rational I have a hard time understanding. Hence my belief in this becoming a huge hobby in the future. My guess is CPUWIZ that deep down I am a collector just like you. I just need more than emotional justification to be in this hobby. (Also I don't think thinking emotionally is a bad thing so please do not think I am disrespecting you, this is not my attention and I don't want that to be the thing focused on. If I thought more emotionally I probably would have a girlfriend by now)

9. My last one. It gives me a certain pride in having an extremely rare game like the Atlantis II with Docs. As far as I know there are only 4 Video Games in the world that come with the documents at the moment. Do you know how many Action Comics #1's there are? There are about 75. Do you know how many Amazing Spiderman's #1's there are? Thousands. Same thing goes with Mickey Mantle 1952 tops baseball cards. But here is the thing, I really believe the Atlantis II contest cart has historical relevance as well. It was the very first contest cart ever given to the contestants as a prize. Since then many contest carts have been made. Almost all by the way go for at least a $700 or more. Now you may be thinking what does this have to do with anything? Simple, every time I see a fancy mansion or a very nice car like a Ferrari. A thought goes through my mind. Yes there are many fancy houses and there are many fancy cars. And yes, I can't buy that car or that house or that big boat or extremely fancy clothes. But do you know what I have that that rich bastard does not have. An Atlantis II cart with docs which has more historical relevance than anything I just mentioned. And the fact is that if they want this they are going to freaking work hard to get it. You just can't go into some fancy dealer and get it. If I had bought a comic book $2,000 or a baseball card for $2,000 I could not have the same feeling. If I were to spend $2,000 on a Amazing Spider-man #1 comic I would not have the same feeling. Yes it is very historically relevant. But the fact of the matter is that about a thousand people have that same $2,000 dollar comic in the same condition or better. And this is something that shows up on Ebay 2 or 3 times a week. Any rich guy can hit a couple of buttons and get that. There is nothing special in that. Same thing goes for Baseball Cards, Coins, Paper Money, and stamps. But as long as I have this I will be known as the one of the guys that has Atlantis II with docs. And the only way I will give this sucker up is if one of those rich bastards gives me $1,550,000 in current day money. That is how much I value this. The only way I will give it up is if someone can guarantee that I will not have to work again for the rest of my life. And $1,550,000 is about how much money I will need for that too happen. Tell me CPUWIZ what is the worst that could happen. I do not sell it and I spend most of the rest of my life with this awesome item. Fact is the worst that could happen is that I have bragging rights among my fellow gamers with one of the rarer and more valuable items that this hobby has. In a weird way I feel special because of this. It was the best $2,000 dollars I have ever spent in my entire life. And I personally have this hobby to thank for this. Fact is my life really is not that great, but I will always be known for having this. Ok, yes this is rant but I want to end by saying I love this community, I love the history of the Atari 2600 and all the great and rare items that are in this community. This is an extremely special hobby and it is an extreme honor to take part in it.

 

 

Ok, so those are my main reasons why I am in this hobby. Tell me CPUWIZ why are you in this hobby? And what makes your reason the right reason? And also how is this form of escape any worse for me than other forms of escape that I could try when it comes to my success ratio with the opposite sex.

Edited October 26, 2007 by homerwannabee

[Recycled]

Do you think the demand effect the supply and price of consoles available elsewere besides ebay? I'm thinking of buying one from atari2600.com shortly. Not to be paranoid.....but I've missed out waiting too long before...so I'm wondering if I should snag one NOW.

[supergamer]

Simple, every time I see a fancy mansion or a very nice car like a Ferrari. A thought goes through my mind. Yes there are many fancy houses and there are many fancy cars. And yes, I can't buy that car or that house or that big boat or extremely fancy clothes. But do you know what I have that that rich bastard does not have. An Atlantis II cart with docs which has more historical relevance than anything I just mentioned.

 

LOL

[+Psionic]

Do you think the demand effect the supply and price of consoles available elsewere besides ebay?

Over the long term it may if the recent trend continues, but it hasn't so far, and I don't expect it to do so significantly. The reason is that the folks running places like Atari2600.com and Trade-N-Games (J.C. and Jason B., respectively) are smart enough to disregard a price paid by a crazed SpeedCollector™ for a particular item on eBay and you won't see them charge inflated eBay prices for things in their stores. Now, with less level-headed sellers, the eBay prices may have more of an effect...and that it what worries me. Some of these sellers may see a boxed Frenzy sell for $100 and think they'll actually be able to get that much in a fixed price setting, which they will not.

 

I'm thinking of buying one from atari2600.com shortly. Not to be paranoid.....but I've missed out waiting too long before...so I'm wondering if I should snag one NOW.

Atari2600.com is an excellent source for games and systems. You may be able to get a unit on the cheap on eBay if you are patient, but whether or not it will work 100% is the issue. You may pay a little more, but by buying a system on A2600.com, you will definitely get a nice working console. If you've been having trouble snagging a console or a game, I highly recommend Atari2600.com or tradengames.com for your ColecoVision needs. They have many items in stock at reasonable prices.

[Recycled]

Atari2600.com is an excellent source for games and systems. You may be able to get a unit on the cheap on eBay if you are patient, but whether or not it will work 100% is the issue. You may pay a little more, but by buying a system on A2600.com, you will definitely get a nice working console. If you've been having trouble snagging a console or a game, I highly recommend Atari2600.com or tradengames.com for your ColecoVision needs. They have many items in stock at reasonable prices.

 

 

thanks. I'm going to go with atari2600.com. I tried ebay for my LAST CV. Never again.

[+Psionic]

Ok, can you explain your rational to me. Why are you upset that your collection is now worth more money. Please explain to me why you are griping about this? Really I am not trying to argue with you, I just don't understand you anger is all about. Most people would be happy that their collection is worth more and that more people are jumping into the hobby to join in on the fun. It comes across that you are upset about this. Especially since you call these new people jokers. Again, what is your rational for being angry

Angry? No.

Puzzled? Yes.

Annoyed? Yes.

 

First off...I don't care what my collection is worth. I didn't get into this for money and I don't have any intentions of selling anything in the forseeable future, so what's the difference what it's worth? Furthermore, my collection is not "worth more money" just because a few jokers are throwing money around...a boxed Frenzy is not worth $100 and will not sell consistently at that price. It never has and it never will. I'm calling people "jokers" because they are...they have no idea half the time what they're bidding on or what the item is worth. When you bid on something, there are three questions to ask yourself...

 

1. How badly do I want this item?

2. How rare is this item and how much is it really worth?

3. How much can I actually afford to pay for this item?

 

I ask myself those questions before I bid on something, whereas many people stop after question #1...which is why things like this happen:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=112146

 

Why do I "gripe" when people like Pixelboy overbid for stuff and when people like you subsequently hype prices? Very simple...

I do it (not that I consider myself a major collector) because all kinds of newbies (no offense), like homer, think they are Atari stock-brokers, simply in it to hype up the value of, for instance, labelless promo carts. What they do is put a false idea into other new collectors heads, of what a game is worth, simply because of their own opinion, not experience (or extremely limited). And then there are also people like Wonder007, who just don't give a rats ass about what they have to pay, and in the process are artificially inflating the perceived value of an item.

 

I said it before, I'll say it again, if you are in this for the money, you have already lost. And to people like Marco, or myself, you aren't a real collector. You will probably end up like most speed-collectors, selling in a couple of years.

 

I've known people who got so paranoid over what they "invested" in games, they had to sell them, because the burdon was too great. That's not fun, in my opinion.

 

This happens a lot on most message boards, and it seriously confuses the person(s) trying to sell stuff. They ask a question about game values, then someone comes on here telling him he found stuff that is wroth so much money they tend to hold onto it thinking they will get even more money and value (see jollerancher find for NES stuff) hurting the value of said stuff and creating an incomprehensible frenzy of sorts for no reason.

 

We all know eBay is the kicker for a lot of things, but I have seen things sell privately for less and more of the $ amount of eBay, plus you don't have to deal with bs fees if you sell it privately.

 

Sorry dude, DreamTR is pretty much spot on with his estimates, I've been watching those items for 8 years. Granted, some items in the last couple of years shot through the roof, but that is only due to the "Must Check Mental Sanity™" type of collectors. Remember, eBay does not determine price, it only shows how much two people want the item. I call them SpeedCollectors™.

 

Patience is your friend.

 

'Nuff said.

[Bill Brasky]

I haven't noticed any upsurge in demand for CV items. Last few times I listed CIB CV commons on ebay cheap, I got zero bids. I eventually gave them all away because I couldn't sell them at any price.

 

Who the F$%k is great.throwdini on ebay? He/she buys nothing but CV/ADAM stuff, often thousands of dollars worth of CV stuff every month including multiples of the same games and hardware over and over.

[homerwannabee]

Ok, can you explain your rational to me. Why are you upset that your collection is now worth more money. Please explain to me why you are griping about this? Really I am not trying to argue with you, I just don't understand you anger is all about. Most people would be happy that their collection is worth more and that more people are jumping into the hobby to join in on the fun. It comes across that you are upset about this. Especially since you call these new people jokers. Again, what is your rational for being angry

Angry? No.

Puzzled? Yes.

Annoyed? Yes.

 

First off...I don't care what my collection is worth. I didn't get into this for money and I don't have any intentions of selling anything in the forseeable future, so what's the difference what it's worth? Furthermore, my collection is not "worth more money" just because a few jokers are throwing money around...a boxed Frenzy is not worth $100 and will not sell consistently at that price. It never has and it never will. I'm calling people "jokers" because they are...they have no idea half the time what they're bidding on or what the item is worth. When you bid on something, there are three questions to ask yourself...

 

1. How badly do I want this item?

2. How rare is this item and how much is it really worth?

3. How much can I actually afford to pay for this item?

 

I ask myself those questions before I bid on something, whereas many people stop after question #1...which is why things like this happen:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=112146

 

Why do I "gripe" when people like Pixelboy overbid for stuff and when people like you subsequently hype prices? Very simple...

I do it (not that I consider myself a major collector) because all kinds of newbies (no offense), like homer, think they are Atari stock-brokers, simply in it to hype up the value of, for instance, labelless promo carts. What they do is put a false idea into other new collectors heads, of what a game is worth, simply because of their own opinion, not experience (or extremely limited). And then there are also people like Wonder007, who just don't give a rats ass about what they have to pay, and in the process are artificially inflating the perceived value of an item.

 

I said it before, I'll say it again, if you are in this for the money, you have already lost. And to people like Marco, or myself, you aren't a real collector. You will probably end up like most speed-collectors, selling in a couple of years.

 

I've known people who got so paranoid over what they "invested" in games, they had to sell them, because the burdon was too great. That's not fun, in my opinion.

 

This happens a lot on most message boards, and it seriously confuses the person(s) trying to sell stuff. They ask a question about game values, then someone comes on here telling him he found stuff that is wroth so much money they tend to hold onto it thinking they will get even more money and value (see jollerancher find for NES stuff) hurting the value of said stuff and creating an incomprehensible frenzy of sorts for no reason.

 

We all know eBay is the kicker for a lot of things, but I have seen things sell privately for less and more of the $ amount of eBay, plus you don't have to deal with bs fees if you sell it privately.

 

Sorry dude, DreamTR is pretty much spot on with his estimates, I've been watching those items for 8 years. Granted, some items in the last couple of years shot through the roof, but that is only due to the "Must Check Mental Sanity™" type of collectors. Remember, eBay does not determine price, it only shows how much two people want the item. I call them SpeedCollectors™.

 

Patience is your friend.

 

'Nuff said.

Gotcha. So basically you do not believe that classic games will ever hit mainstream. You see prices as more fixed for the past, present, and future. And you think people are jokers who "Overpay" for stuff and think other wise. We have obviously different opinions about this, but I have no problems with you thinking that way. Only time well tell who is right and who is wrong.

[Pixelboy]

I ask myself those questions before I bid on something, whereas many people stop after question #1...which is why things like this happen:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=112146

 

Why do I "gripe" when people like Pixelboy overbid for stuff and when people like you subsequently hype prices? Very simple...

Sorry dude, DreamTR is pretty much spot on with his estimates, I've been watching those items for 8 years. Granted, some items in the last couple of years shot through the roof, but that is only due to the "Must Check Mental Sanity™" type of collectors. Remember, eBay does not determine price, it only shows how much two people want the item. I call them SpeedCollectors™.

 

Patience is your friend.

 

'Nuff said.

Well, I guess I can accept the label of "Speed Collector". I can't speak for others, but for me it's mostly a question of not missing opportunities. On the other hand, I can't promise (to myself or anyone else) that I will never part with my collection, and if I do sell it all a few years later, I'm certain to lose money in the process from my initial investments. But I'm okay with that. For me it's not about the money, it's about reaching the goal of having an as-complete-as-possible collection. And I'm not willing to wait until all the other CV collectors out there have had their fill and prices start to come down. That might take years, perhaps even decades. eBay is by definition the main fighting ground of middle-class collectors, and if other people want to wait on the sidelines until the dust comes down, that's their choice to make, and those people can "gripe" all they want, it makes no difference to me in the long run.

[Dr. Morbis]

Homer, dude, I read the entirety of your "manifesto" up there and I gotta say: it was the highlight of my day . So many fabulous quotes!!! But if I had to choose just one, I'd say this is the most telling:

 

what is the worst that could happen. I do not sell it and I spend most of the rest of my life with this awesome item.

 

Is that really what you want? Would you really prefer to have that little hunk of plastic to keep you warm on all of those long and lonely nights??? Something to think about...

[fishsandwich]

Speaking of the CV... does anyone know how many of the Sean Kelly multicarts made it out the door before he had to stop selling them?

[+Psionic]

Gotcha. So basically you do not believe that classic games will ever hit mainstream. You see prices as more fixed for the past, present, and future. And you think people are jokers who "Overpay" for stuff and think other wise.

First off, I have no idea if this hobby will ever become "mainstream" in the way that you mean it, and quite frankly, I'd prefer if it did not. I'm really not interested in the retrogaming hobby becoming dominated by shady speculators and resellers or millionaires who hoard things who have no interest in what they are buying (which has happened with other hobbies you mention like cards and comics). You have often admitted that you consider your collection an investment and some kind of source of personal pride (i.e. a trophy)...if you think this hobby becoming mainstream in that sense would be a positive development, I am in agreement with CPUWIZ that you are in this for the wrong reasons.

 

No, I do not see prices as "fixed", but I am not a clairvoyant. I cannot speculate what will happen in the future in this hobby or any other, so it is extremely foolish to pay inflated amounts regularly in the present based on what one thinks something will be worth in the future rather than what it is worth now. In any event, it doesn't matter what things will be worth in the future to these eBay-crazed speed collectors like wickey27 or even Atarimania75 who often end up selling off their collection (or a significant portion of it) after only a short time.

 

We have obviously different opinions about this, but I have no problems with you thinking that way. Only time well tell who is right and who is wrong.

Indeed.

[CPUWIZ]

Tell me CPUWIZ why are you in this hobby?

 

Because the 2600 is the reason that I am who I am today, a videogame programmer. Against all odds, I just quit business school and taught myself how to program, everyone said I was crazy and they were wrong. That was about 25 years ago.