How does this happen?

[+bennybingo]

I have been trying to figure this one out....I have seen Atari (and other vintage games) listed on eBay that are so dirty, they look as though they have been buried in the backyard for the past 30 years! I know that items tend to get dusty and what not, but some of these are just ridiculous!

 

I was looking on ePay for a nice (cheap) 6 switcher to add to my collection. Here is what I found:

 

 

 

Look at that thing...it looks like a hurricane Katrina survivor (barely). I may just be ranting at this point, but I am dumbfounded by the ability to get something this filthy and have the nerve to NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT before snapping a pic and putting it up on eBay. That really grinds my gears

[Mord]

I doubt they were buried in the backyard, but I can easily see them tossed in a garage for 30 years. I've seen several like that over the years. The first one I saw I actually bought, since it was at a yard sale for like 3 bucks (with games). It didn't work unfortunately.

[opeygon]

Getting it dirty and cleaning it up is half the fun

[Gorfy]

I have been trying to figure this one out....I have seen Atari (and other vintage games) listed on eBay that are so dirty, they look as though they have been buried in the backyard for the past 30 years! I know that items tend to get dusty and what not, but some of these are just ridiculous!

 

I was looking on ePay for a nice (cheap) 6 switcher to add to my collection. Here is what I found:

 

 

 

Look at that thing...it looks like a hurricane Katrina survivor (barely). I may just be ranting at this point, but I am dumbfounded by the ability to get something this filthy and have the nerve to NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT before snapping a pic and putting it up on eBay. That really grinds my gears

[/quote

 

 

In a way, it's more honest to post the picture without cleaning it so that potential bidders have an idea of the condition in which the item has been kept over time. A person could get that stuff clean and shiny on the surface, while underneath lurks corrosive crud!

Edited March 22, 2011 by Gorfy

[+bennybingo]

 

In a way, it's more honest to post the picture without cleaning it so that potential bidders have an idea of the condition in which the item has been kept over time. A person could get that stuff clean and shiny on the surface, while underneath lurks corrosive crud!

Very true...I never looked at it that way! Now, I at least can see a positive side to it. Thanks!

[Rex Dart]

In a way, it's more honest to post the picture without cleaning it so that potential bidders have an idea of the condition in which the item has been kept over time. A person could get that stuff clean and shiny on the surface, while underneath lurks corrosive crud!

 

Very good point... though if I were guessing at the seller's reason, I'd lean towards laziness rather than honesty.

[+bennybingo]

In a way, it's more honest to post the picture without cleaning it so that potential bidders have an idea of the condition in which the item has been kept over time. A person could get that stuff clean and shiny on the surface, while underneath lurks corrosive crud!

 

Very good point... though if I were guessing at the seller's reason, I'd lean towards laziness rather than honesty.

 

It looks like they started cleaning and gave up!!! The left side of the deck looks like it is still drying off!!!

 

 

[Schizophretard]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

[Rex Dart]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

 

"Up for bid is a box of atari tapes. Sorry no photo."

[+bennybingo]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

 

"Up for bid is a box of atari tapes. Sorry no photo."

 

My particular favorite is the "MYSTERY" cart...almost always a parker brothers frogger, qbert or Popeye with no label...but, it is a surprise!!!!

[Schizophretard]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

 

"Up for bid is a box of atari tapes. Sorry no photo."

 

LOL! I didn't say prevents me from bidding.

[Schizophretard]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

 

"Up for bid is a box of atari tapes. Sorry no photo."

 

My particular favorite is the "MYSTERY" cart...almost always a parker brothers frogger, qbert or Popeye with no label...but, it is a surprise!!!!

 

My favorite is when they list # Tele-games.

[SlowCoder]

I have yet to receive a console from ebay that didn't look dirty like that. But that doesn't scare me away. With a little TLC they shine up real nice and work great. Part of the fun of collecting is the teardown and rebuild of a crusty machine. I don't think I'd hesitate to buy that Atari.

[+bennybingo]

I have yet to receive a console from ebay that didn't look dirty like that. But that doesn't scare me away. With a little TLC they shine up real nice and work great. Part of the fun of collecting is the teardown and rebuild of a crusty machine. I don't think I'd hesitate to buy that Atari.

 

Really??? The ones I get from eBay always look like this:

 

 

 

[Rik]

At least that filthy 2600 is in one piece, that's what counts, can easily be cleaned.

[mamejay]

I have scored some bargains as sellers are just too lazy to give console a wipe down.

I love getting old consoles and gutting them, totally washing the cases and then putting them back together and getting 200% more than I paid for them.

[Armonigann]

I've definately received dirtier/filthier..and not only that but non-working Nowadays I personally try to NEVER buy a console off bay.

 

When I find a real filth boucket anywhere else I don't mind at times because I then can get for the low (most of the time) and usually most systems just need to be cracked open and cleaned.

 

I've learned that usually them old dirty consoles thats been sittin' around since God knows for how long are at times more reliable than the tinkered around ones.

[Armonigann]

I have yet to receive a console from ebay that didn't look dirty like that. But that doesn't scare me away. With a little TLC they shine up real nice and work great. Part of the fun of collecting is the teardown and rebuild of a crusty machine. I don't think I'd hesitate to buy that Atari.

 

Really??? The ones I get from eBay always look like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

:rolling: That is Classic!

[0078265317]

I have yet to receive a console from ebay that didn't look dirty like that. But that doesn't scare me away. With a little TLC they shine up real nice and work great. Part of the fun of collecting is the teardown and rebuild of a crusty machine. I don't think I'd hesitate to buy that Atari.

 

Really??? The ones I get from eBay always look like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

:rolling: That is Classic!

 

 

Sounds like another cool project for you mod huys.

 

Anyhow my sears teel 2600 was pretty good shape and not near as dusty. And I have gotten others off ebay good shape also. Just need to keep an eye out.

[Schizophretard]

I have yet to receive a console from ebay that didn't look dirty like that. But that doesn't scare me away. With a little TLC they shine up real nice and work great. Part of the fun of collecting is the teardown and rebuild of a crusty machine. I don't think I'd hesitate to buy that Atari.

 

Really??? The ones I get from eBay always look like this:

 

 

 

 

This is what would have happened if Chewbacca failed to rescue C-3PO from the Ugnaught recycling facility.

[+jd_1138]

sheesh, a quick wipe down and some Q-tips would make it look as good as new. There are some lazy mofo's out there. I'd tell them they'd better package it carefully, because if they're that lazy they will probably just throw the console in a box and tape it up.

[DickNixonArisen]

Quick wipedown? nah. The grill on the top of a 2600 takes a while to clean, all those ridges... I can see giving up if you're not someone who cares lovingly for such things

 

I tuck mine in at night

[+bennybingo]

Quick wipedown? nah. The grill on the top of a 2600 takes a while to clean, all those ridges... I can see giving up if you're not someone who cares lovingly for such things

 

I tuck mine in at night

 

I can imagine such a seller responding with the question: "Are these things dishwasher safe???"

[OldAtarian]

I doubt they were buried in the backyard, but I can easily see them tossed in a garage for 30 years. I've seen several like that over the years. The first one I saw I actually bought, since it was at a yard sale for like 3 bucks (with games). It didn't work unfortunately.

 

That looks like more than just sitting in a garage or attic for 30 years dusty. That looks more like flood damage mud encrusting to me.

[JacobZu7zu7]

I prefer sellers to do things that prevent others from bidding.

 

"Up for bid is a box of atari tapes. Sorry no photo."

 

LOL! I didn't say prevents me from bidding.

 

Uh wait? Stop PERVERTS from bidding?

 

Sex, Lies and Atari Tapes... Beat 'em and Eat 'em anyone?