What is this world coming to?!?!?

[applekevin]

Well guys, I guess we're all rich now! Did you know, that a woody VCS, with E.T. no less, as well as 19 other common games, is worth the grand total of $3000!?!? YES, that's right $3000 bucks!

But, if you order today, you can get yours for ONLY $800! What a steal! How do I know? Well a kind lady responded to my craigslist ad, and let me in on the secret.

 

CL: Looking to buy an atari 2600 with 20 games?

Me: I am indeed

CL: How much are u willing 2 give 4 them. it still works.

Me: $15? I mean, it depends on the model, which games, condition, etc.

CL: Centipede,brain game, e.t.,missile command,cobat,ms. pac man,video olympics,defender,basketball,asteroids,dig dug,vanguard,space combat,demon attack.

Me: ahahahha, E.T. classic...which model 2600 is it? the woodgrain? what controllers you got?

CL: Warlords,golf,robot tank,asteroids,atlantis,popeye,football, jungle hunt,donkey kong,qbert

CL: Woodgrain and controls are tennis

Me: $15?

Me: keep in mind, they did make over 20 million of these guys

CL: My husband said no. we had better offers thank you for your time.

Me: what were your other offers? I could try and match them

CL: If u want to pay 15 you probley cant afford what they want to pay.

Me: well just tell me

CL: How high are you willing to go?

Me: what were the other offers, what range

Me: I mean look, the 2600 isn't rare, and neither are those games, 15 might be low, but I dunno $25?

CL: 800 to 1000

CL: People want one thats working. my friend at work just sold one for 3000.00. your offer is too low. take care bye

Me: wait, wait, hold, 800-1000? is that in yen?

Me: wait hold on, are you trying to tell me that someone sold an Atari 2600 for $3000? I don't believe that

CL: Yea she sold it to someone in michigan but she had alot more items with it

Me: ah ok, well that's different isn't it? look you want me to provide sources, you will NOT be able to sell a 2600 for $800, there is NO WAY

CL: Ok take care bye

Me: no wait hold on, look on ebay, just for grins, see what they go for

CL: I did. but mine is a set price. i got someone who wants to pay good money for it. so im sellin it. u go buy one on ebay bye

Me: well, whoever you're selling that to is a sucker, congratulations you just got incredibly lucky

CL: Ok take care. good luck

 

Originally, I was insulted to be told what I can, and cannot afford, but as I was unaware of the true value of one these collectible, rare gems, it was a simple honest mistake!

 

EDIT: woops, posted in wrong subforum, mods, feel free to move this

Edited June 29, 2010 by applekevin

[ls650]

$3000? Is there a missing decimal point in the middle there?

 

Why did you even bother arguing with her? Clearly she is completely clueless!

[homerwannabee]

Heh, she got you to go up to $25. If I ever use craigslist, I think I might use that other potential buyers line if people are willing to up their offer!

[Buzbard]

I think people posting stuff to craigslist are loosing their minds!

 

$2000 Atari

[Natenaterson]

Yeeeesh! And I thought the $97 for my 7800 (with 15 games, 2 controllers, hookups, near-perfect condition, etc.) was a lot! Some people are real suckers. I feel sorry for whomever spends 800+ for one of the more affordable consoles out there.

[jmetal88]

Dang, some people are just crazy.

 

I have a Craigslist deal that's going on now at the opposite end of the spectrum. Friday, I'll be picking up a free box of junk that includes an untested Commodore 64 and some kind of portable Tandy unit (not sure if it's a laptop, handheld, or luggable though).

 

The really funny thing is, I offered to pay the $10 she was asking for it, but for some reason she changed her mind about charging for it sometime between her posting the ad and my e-mail, and said I could have it for free.

[pangasinan]

I love stories like this,when a seller honestly thinks that a atari system is worth thousands and there's no convincing them otherwise,it just makes my day !!

[Herbarius]

I love stories like this,when a seller honestly thinks that a atari system is worth thousands and there's no convincing them otherwise,it just makes my day !!

Yes, it can be quite amusing.

 

However, when you think about it too much, there aren't many things more depressing than people who can't f**king THINK!

[ProperRogue]

It's always the same ol' story with the same ol' payoff. We post a highly inflated CL ad, and then have a little fun at the seller's expense. Anyone ever go a step further? Considering this lady's attitude in the opening thread, I would have given her a bittersweet dose of reality.

 

"Hey that's awesome! If your Atari is in great condition, I have no problem throwing $800 your way. I might even be able to resell it on the quick and turn a good profit."

 

For that brief amount of time, they're so happy and cheerful, already picking out things to buy... all the while waiting for the supposed sucker that'll never show up!

 

Stupidity + Disappointment = WIN!

[applekevin]

Hahah, I'm glad you all found this funny.

 

What really makes me mad, IMO, more than this, are the people who try and sell these things for like $100-$150 or so. They're clearly sane, but like, do people understand that this stuff, just isn't rare at all, and its not worth anything? This is really getting to be a problem in all areas of retro gaming/computing. The other day I was on eBay looking for an SGI Indy, and I'm seeing prices of $300, I mean come on, are these people nuts? I should add, ironically, she later sent me another message asking if I wanted to buy any cell phones. I kindly responded that I didn't have 1 million dollars on me at the moment. Yet, she then responded that she ONLY wanted $100 (it was some Samsung touchscreen featurephone). Hmm...seems a bit odd to me

Edited June 30, 2010 by applekevin

[SekOner]

"..Is that in Yen?.." HAHAHA thats classic! im going to quote you on that add it to my sig.

 

It's getting more and more common now. I don't know where people get these legendary stories of other Ataris' that sold for thousands. If the majority of the populace begin to believe that these are worth that much, then the standard prices we pay will begin to inflate (in fact they've already begun to). I dont understand why there is such a common misconception about the value of things that are old. I mean back in 2000 everyone i knew who had Atari products wrote them off as junk, Yes the price has gone up because its becoming more of a nostalgia thing. But sometimes i see things go for outragous prices. The 2000 dollar atari that was up on CL a few weeks ago droppped the price after i talked to the seller and lead them to the right places to get a bearing on the correct price. its just craziness.

 

Sorry for the rant...

[applekevin]

@SekOner

Thanks for that!!! I actually shamelessly stole that from Toy Story 2, if you've seen the movie it's where (it's been ages) I *think* the guy named Al, yeah that's it, the fat guy with the goatee, is talking to someone about shipping some of his toys, and he hears the shipping price, and asks if it was in yen (since the place he is shipping it to, is in Japan).

 

Anyhow, Yeah I saw your post, I tried to talk this woman out of her umm, acute psychosis if you will, but no dice

 

 

EDIT: I guess in hindsight, "is that in rupees" would've been more effective...

Edited June 30, 2010 by applekevin

[Zwackery]

CL: People want one thats working. my friend at work just sold one for 3000.00. your offer is too low. take care bye

Me: wait, wait, hold, 800-1000? is that in yen?

Me: wait hold on, are you trying to tell me that someone sold an Atari 2600 for $3000? I don't believe that

CL: Yea she sold it to someone in michigan but she had alot more items with it

Yeah, those other items were just Air Raid and some other weird shaped cartridges.

 

 

(I suspect the $3000 is pure crap, but you never know with online interactions what is fact and what is fiction.)

[Natenaterson]

Okay, here's a question. Would you pay $3,000 for an Atari with a lot of extra stuff? How much would there have to be in order to justify such a price?

[applekevin]

@Zwackery,

I figured the same. She's just trying to use some sort of anecdotal evidence as a lame attempt to get me to raise my price.

[Pioneer4x4]

Okay, here's a question. Would you pay $3,000 for an Atari with a lot of extra stuff? How much would there have to be in order to justify such a price?

If it was packaged in this...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=279821246&dealer_id=65305039&car_year=1985&rdm=1277934229232&lastStartYear=1981&model=ELCAM&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=30795282&showZipError=n&make=CHEV&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=15642&advanced=&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=2119&standard=false

[Keatah]

eventually all the stuff will go that high. 'tis only a matter of time - as through the generations, the supply dwindles down, gets sold off, junked in the dumpster, breaks down, lost and stolen and destroyed by natural disasters.

 

Emulation will be the best way to affordably enjoys youssa gamez..

Edited July 3, 2010 by Keatah

[dooglehead]

Anyone interested in a $10,000 Atari?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230481863700

 

I have some of the rareist and most valuable games in Atari History including Chase the Chuckwagon, Michael Jackson Moonwalker, Pac Man and, Mrs Pac Man and E.T.

[SekOner]

Anyone interested in a $10,000 Atari?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230481863700

 

I have some of the rareist and most valuable games in Atari History including Chase the Chuckwagon, Michael Jackson Moonwalker, Pac Man and, Mrs Pac Man and E.T.

 

Wow! I Have a stack of E.T. And Pac-man games in my JUNK pile. Who knew i was fooling myself, I had no idea i was sitting a goldmine. WHOOO HOO I guess i'm now a MILLIONAIRE :thumbsup:

 

:rolling:

Edited July 5, 2010 by SekOner

[KevinMos3]

Anyone interested in a $10,000 Atari?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230481863700

I was offended by that auction. It looks like he had it listed, but then read an article that has nothing to do with what he's actually selling and came to the conclusion it was worth $10k, so he relisted it. I take from his description that he never really cared about his Atari, but now that he thinks he's found out how high the demand is for such a rare working system, he wants to get rich quick. I find myself being offended a lot by ebay auctions and sometimes even flea market sellers. "Oh, this is vintage and extremely RARE!"... no you saw some listing claiming it had a rating of rarity = 1. That means it's NOT rare. I encountered a flea market seller today with a box full of combat and ET carts thinking he had some really rare stuff. I couldn't convince him otherwise.

 

It shouldn't bother me but it does. I was so obsessed with Atari as a kid and it seems I'm being priced out of my own hobby at times. Games are meant to be played and should be owned by gamers. They shouldn't be treated like a coin or stamp collection. That's just my opinion and a real pet peeve.

[SekOner]

Anyone interested in a $10,000 Atari?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230481863700

I was offended by that auction. It looks like he had it listed, but then read an article that has nothing to do with what he's actually selling and came to the conclusion it was worth $10k, so he relisted it. I take from his description that he never really cared about his Atari, but now that he thinks he's found out how high the demand is for such a rare working system, he wants to get rich quick. I find myself being offended a lot by ebay auctions and sometimes even flea market sellers. "Oh, this is vintage and extremely RARE!"... no you saw some listing claiming it had a rating of rarity = 1. That means it's NOT rare. I encountered a flea market seller today with a box full of combat and ET carts thinking he had some really rare stuff. I couldn't convince him otherwise.

 

It shouldn't bother me but it does. I was so obsessed with Atari as a kid and it seems I'm being priced out of my own hobby at times. Games are meant to be played and should be owned by gamers. They shouldn't be treated like a coin or stamp collection. That's just my opinion and a real pet peeve.

 

Yeah i know, Its disgusting. It's one of my biggest pet peeves as well. It's like it said earlier in this thread, As people become more and more misled the prices will inflate. Its so F***ed up!!

[Keatah]

Anyone interested in a $10,000 Atari?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 230481863700

I was offended by that auction. It looks like he had it listed, but then read an article that has nothing to do with what he's actually selling and came to the conclusion it was worth $10k, so he relisted it. I take from his description that he never really cared about his Atari, but now that he thinks he's found out how high the demand is for such a rare working system, he wants to get rich quick. I find myself being offended a lot by ebay auctions and sometimes even flea market sellers. "Oh, this is vintage and extremely RARE!"... no you saw some listing claiming it had a rating of rarity = 1. That means it's NOT rare. I encountered a flea market seller today with a box full of combat and ET carts thinking he had some really rare stuff. I couldn't convince him otherwise.

 

It shouldn't bother me but it does. I was so obsessed with Atari as a kid and it seems I'm being priced out of my own hobby at times. Games are meant to be played and should be owned by gamers. They shouldn't be treated like a coin or stamp collection. That's just my opinion and a real pet peeve.

 

Yeah i know, Its disgusting. It's one of my biggest pet peeves as well. It's like it said earlier in this thread, As people become more and more misled the prices will inflate. Its so F***ed up!!

 

Like I said, eventually prices are gonna go up. No one knows how fast or how much or why. Just that you can count on it happening.

[tz101]

Sometimes CL deals are good. I got a Dreamcast system for $10 and a Colecovision with 30 game carts for only $50. CL is good in my area.

[Rik]

Do i believe someone paid $3000 for a 2600?, it's possible.There's folks out there who are off their rockers and totally clueless, anything is possible.That doesn't mean you expect to sell to EVERYONE for that price.She just lucked out and found someone simple minded enough to bite, it happens. There's a sucker born every minute and the world is full of them.

Edited July 5, 2010 by Rik