Colecovision system price?

[HollowBeers]

Is 40 bucks a good deal on what appears to be a fully functional boxed system minus Donkey Kong cart? From the pics it looks pretty clean. Thanks.

[Harry Potthead]

I think it's a good deal for a boxed system. In germany you must pay around 100 Euro (=140 USD) for complete boxed system

[akator]

If the only thing missing is the DK cart and it's all functional, that's a great price for a boxed system.

 

DK carts are usually no more than $1-2. That would give you a CIB ColecoVision for $42. That's a pretty stellar deal.

[NIAD]

Is 40 bucks a good deal on what appears to be a fully functional boxed system minus Donkey Kong cart? From the pics it looks pretty clean. Thanks.

DEFINITELY!! Recently, two complete and boxed ColecoVision systems sold for well over $200 on eBAY.

 

I guess the people that were bidding on these two boxed systems REALLY wanted a boxed system as the norm for an unboxed working system can end up being anywhere from $30 to $70 depending on the condition of the system.

 

Guess on eBAY it all depends on timing for the seller and purchaser... the old supply and demand equation.

 

Also, a local Retro VideoGame store sells CVs for $60... without the original box, styrofoam, R-F Adaptor, DK cart and instructions.

[WERY]

So the ColecoVision is worth between 30 and 70$? I'm going to collect ColecoVision so knowing the price is interesting for me. It is an american NTSC system I want so it is the price of that one that is good for me to know about

[NIAD]

So the ColecoVision is worth between 30 and 70$? I'm going to collect ColecoVision so knowing the price is interesting for me. It is an american NTSC system I want so it is the price of that one that is good for me to know about

As I stated previously, it just boils down to supply and demand. If the demand goes up and there is little to no supply, then the price goes up as can be seen by a couple complete boxed CV systems that recently went for over $200 on eBay... especially since the boxes and styrofoam were in very good condition.

 

Also, if there are a lot of systems available (say on eBay), but they say not working, unable to test or it worked a couple years ago when last used... then the systems that are on there as well that are tested and in working condition will draw the buyers and drive up the price.

 

It's be a tough go making enough money off flipping them to justify the time and your own expense.

 

The ColecoVision was released in North America by Coleco and in Europe by CBS. The European CV had specific video hook-ups for European TVs (think it is called a SCART connector?).

Edited October 14, 2010 by NIAD

[SpaceDice2010]

So the ColecoVision is worth between 30 and 70$? I'm going to collect ColecoVision so knowing the price is interesting for me. It is an american NTSC system I want so it is the price of that one that is good for me to know about

 

If someone says they have a working CV that actually works flawlessly w/ a Canadian power supply, then to me it's worth up to $100. I recently spent $80 for a CV that does actually work. Good video. Good joysticks. Canadian power supply. I would have paid $100 for it easily.

 

I think I went through two CV's on Ebay that had something wrong with them. The third one worked perfect. Then I bought a backup so I can get one modded.

 

Buying a CV on Ebay is REALLY hit or miss. I would say that a decent percentage of them have something wrong with them. For me, I could care less about the box. I just want it to work and a box doesn't mean that it's going to work.

Edited October 14, 2010 by SpaceDice2010

[SlowCoder]

What's considered a decent percentage of nonfunctional consoles?

[retroillucid]

If someone says they have a working CV that actually works flawlessly w/ a Canadian power supply, then to me it's worth up to $100. I recently spent $80 for a CV that does actually work. Good video. Good joysticks. Canadian power supply. I would have paid $100 for it easily.

 

Totally!

I second this!

[Yurkie]

If someone says they have a working CV that actually works flawlessly w/ a Canadian power supply, then to me it's worth up to $100. I recently spent $80 for a CV that does actually work. Good video. Good joysticks. Canadian power supply. I would have paid $100 for it easily.

 

Totally!

I second this!

 

$80 for a complete system that works is a great deal.

 

You can spend $40 or $50 and get a non-working POS from one of those Ebay auctions with crap like "It worked 25 years ago, when we packed it away it should still work."

 

I read that one time and about wanted to send the seller a nasty message.

 

I recommend only buying a CV off of Ebay if the seller guarantees no "DOA", even then it would be almost a miracle if both controllers work 100%

[SlowCoder]

Wow. I haven't bought a whole lot from ebay, but what I have gotten has been as advertised. But I'm also relatively discerning about my purchases. I'll look at an interesting item and examine the seller's score, talk to the seller, and compare cost with similar auctions.

 

I've only had 1 almost bad experience, and that was because the seller didn't get a tracking number, and it took over a month for the package to arrive. But, it did arrive and in described condition.

 

All in all, my ebay experience has been good. The way you guys talk about it it's like they are all out to get you.

Edited October 16, 2010 by SlowCoder

[akator]

Wow. I haven't bought a whole lot from ebay, but what I have gotten has been as advertised. But I'm also relatively discerning about my purchases. I'll look at an interesting item and examine the seller's score, talk to the seller, and compare cost with similar auctions.

 

I've only had 1 almost bad experience, and that was because the seller didn't get a tracking number, and it took over a month for the package to arrive. But, it did arrive and in described condition.

 

All in all, my ebay experience has been good. The way you guys talk about it it's like they are all out to get you.

 

SlowCoder, I think you've been luckier than most. At least 1/4 of my eBay transactions have been problematic. Here are just a few of that were "tested and working":

 

• A CV that hadn't worked in years. The power supply was bad, fixed to find the power switch was bad, fixed to find the controllers were completely shot and unresponsive.
• Several 7800s with bad PSUs and bad controllers.
• An Apple IIc with monitor in photos showing pristine hardware and a working screen... to get a completely different system that looked like it had been through a war.
• A number of systems have come with power supplies that weren't compatible. How was it tested when the PSU plug doesn't fit?

These days I try to buy from people here at Atari Age, and that had solved a lot of my eBay problems

Edited October 16, 2010 by akator

[SpaceDice2010]

What's considered a decent percentage of nonfunctional consoles?

 

I bought a CV on Ebay where the seller said he tested every game and only one didn't work. Well. While the games did load fine, neither joystick worked. The video display was horrible. (Search here about the causes of bad video display.) The next CV I got off Ebay was in about the same condition. Both of these were in lots with games etc. Finally, I paid a little more from someone that sells CV's all the time and it worked just fine. So, 2 out of 3 had issues.

 

As a spare I bought one from eightbit on here $80 shipped and it's perfect as well.

Edited October 16, 2010 by SpaceDice2010

[SpaceDice2010]

Wow. I haven't bought a whole lot from ebay, but what I have gotten has been as advertised. But I'm also relatively discerning about my purchases. I'll look at an interesting item and examine the seller's score, talk to the seller, and compare cost with similar auctions.

 

I've only had 1 almost bad experience, and that was because the seller didn't get a tracking number, and it took over a month for the package to arrive. But, it did arrive and in described condition.

 

All in all, my ebay experience has been good. The way you guys talk about it it's like they are all out to get you.

 

How many ColecoVisions have you bought off Ebay in the past year?

[Yurkie]

 

 

 

As a spare I bought one from eightbit on here $80 shipped and it's perfect as well.

 

I wonder if that is one I refurbished.

[WERY]

The European CV had specific video hook-ups for European TVs (think it is called a SCART connector?)

 

Well we got a connection in Europe that is called SCART and it includes C-Video, S-Video and RGB. In the beginning it was only used in France since they had a law enforcement that every TV must have one. That is why many of the older systems before NES and Master System had SCART connection in France but just RF in every other country. Then France used a different colorsystem in their TV's that is called SECAM while the other countries used PAL. So SECAM versions of consoles are equipped with SCART insted of RF.

 

However SCART is what you get when performing an AV-modification on the system. Depending on the PPU you might get S-Video and RGB if the system can provide more than C-Video. C-Video and S-Video goes in loose cables and can be connected to loose S-Video and Composite inputs on the TV as well the SCART itself if there is a loose adaptor for those cables. When doing a RGB modification, you mostly have to make your own cable dependig on what kind of ouput you choose to use and it is constantly a Euro-SCART connection that is not loose so it cannot be used on an american TV set unless there is a SCART connection on it

 

The way you guys talk about it it's like they are all out to get you

 

But they are coming for us

[SlowCoder]

How many ColecoVisions have you bought off Ebay in the past year?

Only one, but I've bought other systems and components, no hassle. I was speaking of my ebay experience in general.

[cybercylon]

If someone says they have a working CV that actually works flawlessly w/ a Canadian power supply, then to me it's worth up to $100. I recently spent $80 for a CV that does actually work. Good video. Good joysticks. Canadian power supply. I would have paid $100 for it easily.

 

Totally!

I second this!

 

$80 for a complete system that works is a great deal.

 

You can spend $40 or $50 and get a non-working POS from one of those Ebay auctions with crap like "It worked 25 years ago, when we packed it away it should still work."

 

I read that one time and about wanted to send the seller a nasty message.

 

I recommend only buying a CV off of Ebay if the seller guarantees no "DOA", even then it would be almost a miracle if both controllers work 100%

 

Even a DOA guarantee can be problematic. From my experiences with the system, "apparently working" can degrade into problems within a week or two (power supply was on last legs, dies, power switch problems that aren't immediately apparent, etc).

[Yurkie]

 

Even a DOA guarantee can be problematic. From my experiences with the system, "apparently working" can degrade into problems within a week or two (power supply was on last legs, dies, power switch problems that aren't immediately apparent, etc).

 

Very true.

 

I have heard of buyers swapping a dead board in a working unit and then claiming it was "DOA"

 

I have bought several CV consoles that where rattling around in the box with only a few pieces of junk mail and newspaper for packing. Packed so poorly it is hard to prove if it worked when shipped or not. It is almost like they do a shitty job packing as a way to cover up a non-working unit.

[Armonigann]

I bought a CV off Ebay a long time ago. It arrived w/ the IC controller port issue. I still have it matter of fact.

Edited October 16, 2010 by Armonigann

[retroillucid]

Got this one for cheap, was listed as a CBS system, but it's a french/canadian

Unit works super nice and power supply too, Canadian power supply rocks!

Only the controller need to be refurbished

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 170548507434

[Harry Potthead]

Got this one for cheap, was listed as a CBS system, but it's a french/canadian

Unit works super nice and power supply too, Canadian power supply rocks!

Only the controller need to be refurbished

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 170548507434

 

 

Wow, thats a really nice price Is the Unit with RGB/Scart - Connection?

[retroillucid]

Got this one for cheap, was listed as a CBS system, but it's a french/canadian

Unit works super nice and power supply too, Canadian power supply rocks!

Only the controller need to be refurbished

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 170548507434

 

 

Wow, thats a really nice price Is the Unit with RGB/Scart - Connection?

 

No there is no RGB/Scart... this is a NTSC unit

[HollowBeers]

Thread Resurrection engaged!

 

Well then, a couple of weeks ago I contacted the person selling the unit mentioned in Post #1 and they still had it! The box is faded and in generally poor cosmetic shape with some tears that have been taped up. The foam is in great condition with a few flakes hear and there from the contents being put back in. All of the contents work great. The console looks brand new with no dust in the cracks or crevices. The power supply, RF cord, and RF box also look brand new. You can tell that only 1 controller was used the most as there are scratches on the top of the flat disc area. The other controller is flawless! Both controllers have no functional issues at all. The contents that are missing are the original literature and Donkey Kong. Was the console originally wrapped in a plastic bag? Very happy to find this thing.

 

Of course, I get this thing while I am having a crapped out console getting fixed up and modded by Yurkie. If only I had waited a little while longer, I could have gotten the nice one modded instead! I did get a Donkey Kong cart and all original literature with the crapped out system though!

 

All within a week I became an owner of 1 CV complete system (with box), 1 CV complete system (without box and later modded), 1 expansion module #1, 9 CV games, 1 Atarimax Ultimate Cart, and 1 old school tube TV! Now, where to setup all this stuff!

[ozma wars]

I think it's a good deal for a boxed system. In germany you must pay around 100 Euro (=140 USD) for complete boxed system

I agree concerning our local Ebay sites. But still possible to find it on less-known local websites at 40 - 50 Euro ( 75 USD )