Refurbished ATARI 2600 Package - What's My Time Worth?

[atari2atari]

A question for all you Atarians out there - -

 

How much is reasonable to ask for a 100% refurbished 2600 4-switch or light 6-switch console with two refurbished joysticks and a loose cartridge collection?

 

I have been rebuilding them for fun, but five or six consoles is way too much to have on hand, so I am craigslisting some! A link to my sample posting is down below.

 

 

4Jays asks $80+shipping for a four-switch (not refurbished?), plus you get ten boxed games: 4Jays Atari 2600 Packages

 

And, Best Electronics asks $90 for a 2600A, with a single boxed game and some extras, similar to my package idea: Best Electronics 2600 Packages

 

 

Here's my current posting - - it's priced high now, but what's a reasonable amount to ask that respects my time invested, but the market value as well? Thanks for any advice!

 

 

http://denver.craigslist.org/vgm/2087964053.html

Edited November 30, 2010 by atari2atari

[King_Salamon]

Looks like you did a little more than what some call a 'refurbishing'... replacing parts etc is more like overhauling a system... very nice work.

 

As for what it's worth... depends on how long you want to sit on them. At $120... I don't know too many people who will drop that much for a common system with common carts. $75 would be decent... I sold a near mint 4 switch with a stack of carts locally for $60 and it went pretty quick.

 

Best of luck selling them... looks like some nice work!

[Odysseus]

agreed. I live in Westminster Co. If they were not a little out of my price range id be all over these

[+save2600]

Nice work for sure, but I haven't seen too many instances where people actually value the work done. Best Electronics, yes - because they are a legit store that offers a warranty - but individually, it's going to be a tough sell. Unless you've established yourself within a community doing this sort of work - in which case, you'd already have your answer :-)

 

Good luck!

[atari2atari]

Looks like you did a little more than what some call a 'refurbishing'... replacing parts etc is more like overhauling a system... very nice work.

 

As for what it's worth... depends on how long you want to sit on them. At $120... I don't know too many people who will drop that much for a common system with common carts. $75 would be decent... I sold a near mint 4 switch with a stack of carts locally for $60 and it went pretty quick.

 

Best of luck selling them... looks like some nice work!

 

 

agreed. I live in Westminster Co. If they were not a little out of my price range id be all over these

 

 

Nice work for sure, but I haven't seen too many instances where people actually value the work done. Best Electronics, yes - because they are a legit store that offers a warranty - but individually, it's going to be a tough sell. Unless you've established yourself within a community doing this sort of work - in which case, you'd already have your answer :-)

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks SO much for your input, all of you - - I really appreciate it!

 

I agree, getting established will be key. Determining good "mixes" of carts to offer will be a good move, too.

 

I think based on the input, and some preliminary interest happening already on craigslist, I will start pricing down around $90, depending on what mix of carts or "extras" I include (WICO controllers, "Game Centers," or extra paddles, etc.)

 

Maybe increasing the "cart-count" to 40 would justify the price, as well.

 

Thanks again, you guys ROCK!

 

-a2a

[accousticguitar]

That Ferrite Choke is interesting. Does it really help the picture?

[CGQuarterly]

I don't think your price is all that bad considering the time, effort, and attention to detail that you put into everything. I agree with Salamon, that's more of an overhaul. Try adding more games or dropping the price to an even $100 if you are having problems moving units.

 

Chris

[atari2atari]

That Ferrite Choke is interesting. Does it really help the picture?

 

It does help a lot - -

 

I use the Epyx 500 joysticks, and the electromagnetic feedback from the microswitches alone can cause static on the screen during playing.

 

I put ferrite chokes on the joysticks, AND on the RF line and the static is gone.

 

The static effect without ferrite chokes is less on my light sixers with the thick, cast-aluminum shield, but again, it's present, and goes away completely with ferrite chokes.

 

With regular joysticks, I get static when the fridge goes on, or the furnace fan kicks on.

 

You can get ferrite chokes at Radio Shack. About $6.00 for a big one to put on the RF line (I like to wrap it through, to hold and get more electromagnetic reduction) and the smaller ones are about $3.00 for a bag of two, suitable for joysticks.

 

Ferrite chokes are actually on almost every electronic device around - - they are a thick knob somewhere on the line, you likely just never noticed them!

 

-a2a

[accousticguitar]

That Ferrite Choke is interesting. Does it really help the picture?

 

It does help a lot - -

 

I use the Epyx 500 joysticks, and the electromagnetic feedback from the microswitches alone can cause static on the screen during playing.

 

I put ferrite chokes on the joysticks, AND on the RF line and the static is gone.

 

The static effect without ferrite chokes is less on my light sixers with the thick, cast-aluminum shield, but again, it's present, and goes away completely with ferrite chokes.

 

With regular joysticks, I get static when the fridge goes on, or the furnace fan kicks on.

 

You can get ferrite chokes at Radio Shack. About $6.00 for a big one to put on the RF line (I like to wrap it through, to hold and get more electromagnetic reduction) and the smaller ones are about $3.00 for a bag of two, suitable for joysticks.

 

Ferrite chokes are actually on almost every electronic device around - - they are a thick knob somewhere on the line, you likely just never noticed them!

 

-a2a

Good info, thanks.

[AtariLeaf]

Just want to say that this is some excellent work you're doing and I applaud your commitment to refurbishing and restoring these great systems. Is the price a little high? Maybe from the buyers perspective but its obvious you've put a lot of your time and effort into this and I don't think your price is really that out of whack.

 

Fantastic work

[atari2atari]

Just want to say that this is some excellent work you're doing and I applaud your commitment to refurbishing and restoring these great systems. Is the price a little high? Maybe from the buyers perspective but its obvious you've put a lot of your time and effort into this and I don't think your price is really that out of whack.

 

Fantastic work

 

Thanks again for all the encouragement, Atarians!

 

I am pleased to report that several people on craiglist have also appreciated the work, and I sold a few already!

 

I just posted a new package up tonight, a super-nice 4-switch SEARS TELE-GAMES with WICO BOSS sticks and a SWEET collection of ACTIVISION games and manuals:

 

http://denver.craigslist.org/clt/2097181171.html

 

Threw in both of the ATARI TRON games, too, in celebration of the upcoming new movie release!

 

Love that retro start screen!

 

-a2a

[the.golden.ax]

BE sure to plug the site and the fact that people still make these games for the pleasure of us nostalgic types. The more people turned on to the homebrew scene, the longer this platform will be alive.

 

AX

[nathanallan]

Very cool! I love what you are doing and marked you as one of the Best of Craigslist. Way to go in keeping the things like new! Do you do any kind of modding, other than the ferrite cores (which are awesome of you)??

 

My brother lives in Bellevue, he has a son that loves classic gaming, I'll see if I can get him to go visit you.

 

Nathan

Edited December 6, 2010 by nathanallan

[atari2atari]

BE sure to plug the site and the fact that people still make these games for the pleasure of us nostalgic types. The more people turned on to the homebrew scene, the longer this platform will be alive.

 

AX

 

 

Very cool! I love what you are doing and marked you as one of the Best of Craigslist. Way to go in keeping the things like new! Do you do any kind of modding, other than the ferrite cores (which are awesome of you)??

 

My brother lives in Bellevue, he has a son that loves classic gaming, I'll see if I can get him to go visit you.

 

Nathan

 

AX - -

 

fo' sho, I always tell people who buy about ATARIAGE, and have been directing anyone who wants to self-repair to BEST ELECTRONICS! I just like spreading the enthusiasm, although I do have to fund my "habit" as well! :-)

 

 

Nathan - -

 

Thanks for the "best of" vote! Regarding modding, no, I do not engage in any on the ATARI, although I am perfectly capable of doing so.

 

My personal philosophy is one of "restoration," not changing things. So, I resolder and replace power sockets, switches, DB9 connectors and ICs, but I don't seek to make the ATARI "better."

 

Most of the mods I see are not major improvements, anyways, like pause switches, power LEDs or the like. The composite output mod looks interesting, but I am not jumping on that.

 

One mod idea I DID have, however, is a CLEAR LUCITE/PLEXI case mod, with blue lighting!

 

I would need to cut and heat bend make my own ATARI case from a clear material, and mount it all up special.

 

The idea would be to exhibit the ATARI circuit board, which I find beautiful in a way, and give the system a little modern "bling," like a lot of the custom illuminated cases I make for my gaming computer systems.

 

Finding a way to show off the ICs but yet have RF shielding would be a challenge. Aluminum mesh cage around the ICs, perhaps, with gaps so you can still see things (like a Faraday cage)? It would work best with a 4-switch, because the cast-aluminum RF on the light sixers and heavy sixers would be quite the challenge!

 

RF shield is big aluminum box in center, of course

 

Another view (no static strips installed yet on switches, by the way, this one was still being put back together!)

 

That's a long-tail idea for sure, but I will let you all know if I do engage it! I think you can picture it - - quite classy!

 

UPDATE - - sold that most recent listing - - I think all the ACTIVISION carts and instructions, plus the XONOX double-ender with instruction, plus WICO BOSS sticks, really helped! Didn't last 24 hours on craigslist . . . !

 

Listing more soon! :-)

 

-a2a

[nathanallan]

Your idea for a clear case is intriguing, and the idea for a mini faraday cage is exciting!! I might take a crack at it with my Jr., it's that cool of an idea:)

 

I understand your sense of keeping it original, and you do a great job at it. Have you ever worked with a Dreamcast or Genesis? I'm a loyal Atari fan, but Sega's hardware is just too nice to not love imho.

[atari2atari]

Your idea for a clear case is intriguing, and the idea for a mini faraday cage is exciting!! I might take a crack at it with my Jr., it's that cool of an idea:)

 

I understand your sense of keeping it original, and you do a great job at it. Have you ever worked with a Dreamcast or Genesis? I'm a loyal Atari fan, but Sega's hardware is just too nice to not love imho.

 

Go for it, I think it's an idea that SOMEONE needs to do!

 

 

Dreamcast, yes, I have soldered extensively and troubleshot those. That was a lot of my time last year, the Dreamcast.

 

I am taking a break by playing and repairing ATARI now.

 

 

Genesis, for some reason I never liked - - I think I saw too many anti-Sega ads as a kid, and and as result was die-hard Nintendo!

 

Someday, yes, I might take an interest in the Genesis, however a hobby-guy has to have his limits, and my collection is pretty big already! :-)

 

 

 

Let me know if you get to work on molding a clear PLEXI/LUCITE ATARI case!

 

If we could get a mold of an ATARI case, we could slump the clear PLEXI into that mold using an hot oven . . .

 

 

-a2a