Help with production dates 2600 ebay

[1mhz]

I got am email from someone that bought an Atari 2600 from me on eBay. It appeared r be new in box opened unused. He is saying it doesn't match because of the copywrite dates on the boxes. I am assuming that he is wrong because he dates seem to be copywrite dates on the artwork..? It is a wood grained four switch and the serial number in the box and system match at 2xx,xxx. Here is his complaint. Amy help would be appreciated.

 

 

Hi, I received the item undamaged yesterday, but on close inspection this system is not a new system straight from the box, but is apparently pieced together from other systems. The dates on the items don't match at all. The box is dated 1980, and the box serial number matches the console serial number. However, the paddle controller box is dated 1978, as is the game, and the power supply box is dated 1981. This is inconsistent with the system being dated 1980. In addition, there is damage to the bag holding the tv switch box (the bag has a small rip in it. My bid was based on a complete, new system and this is why I'm requesting to return the system.

[+xucaen]

I did minimal research into this. While I could not find proof, it is conceivable that at the factory where they packaged the Atari consoles, that they would simple take components off the shelf as they were available. So you could possibly have a console dated 1980, with controllers dated 1981 and power supply dated 1982 and even a game cartridge with some other date.

 

This wikipedia article has some information about the console, and has some links. Maybe there is someone at Atari who might have access to some archived data? If you give them the serial numbers they might be able to tell you if they were all packaged together or not.

 

Sorry I can not do more. Good luck.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_2600_hardware

[fiddlepaddle]

Obviously can't say for sure about your system, but I do know that Atari did use mix and match older (still new) parts with newer ones many times. I've seen consoles with mismatched tops and bottoms that most likely came from the factory that way. I've seen older power supplies included with consoles as well. Sounds like that guy should have bought one 35 years ago.

[ebaybrad]

another reply from the buyer...

 

I think he is confusing production date of unit with copyright date on the box......

 

please help. I can't find anything on these dates anywhere...

 

Buyer's message:

"All the Atari VCS have a similar long box, with the production date on the lower right corner of the box front. This date is the actual production date of the unit, so for Heavy 6er you'll see only 77, for Light 6er you'll see both 78 and 79, and for 4-switch you'll see both 80 and 81 (black 4-switch came out in 82), depending on when they were made. I took pics of the one you sent, along with a light 6er I have, to demonstrate (will send in msg), but you'll often see a close-up pic in ads showing this date. The point is that if the box says "1980" then that's when the unit was produced, so it would be impossible for it to include a component from 1981 (i.e. from the future)."

[+xucaen]

 

another reply from the buyer...

 

I think he is confusing production date of unit with copyright date on the box......

 

please help. I can't find anything on these dates anywhere...

 

Buyer's message:

"All the Atari VCS have a similar long box, with the production date on the lower right corner of the box front. This date is the actual production date of the unit, so for Heavy 6er you'll see only 77, for Light 6er you'll see both 78 and 79, and for 4-switch you'll see both 80 and 81 (black 4-switch came out in 82), depending on when they were made. I took pics of the one you sent, along with a light 6er I have, to demonstrate (will send in msg), but you'll often see a close-up pic in ads showing this date. The point is that if the box says "1980" then that's when the unit was produced, so it would be impossible for it to include a component from 1981 (i.e. from the future)."

 

 

 

If you can not find anything on these dates, then neither can he and neither can eBay. Tell him those dates are to be expected. If he disagrees, the burden of proof is on him.

[kennybrooks]

 

 

If you can not find anything on these dates, then neither can he and neither can eBay. Tell him those dates are to be expected. If he disagrees, the burden of proof is on him.

Wrong, ebay will side with the buyer if they are not happy with their purchase for this situation. New in the box means exactly what it implies and this item from what has been provided does not match that. Believe me, buyer trumps seller unless the seller is able to provide solid evidence to the contrary and there is nothing to support the seller.

[+xucaen]

Then the only other logical choice is to tell the buyer to return it. once received, inspect it for fraud. If all looks good, refund money according to your terms.

[+KaeruYojimbo]

Reminds me of this story.

[+xucaen]

Wow, after reading that story - be nice to the buyer and refund his money. Get your Atari back.

[IHATETHEBEARS]

Reminds me of this story.

 

Wow. I'll bet Paypal's terms and conditions give them absolute power and prevent that seller from suing them. Lunacy.

 

I wonder why the buyer actually broke it though. Clearly he was a total dick. So why didn't he complete his dick move by turning around and selling it himself?

[+KaeruYojimbo]

 

Wow. I'll bet Paypal's terms and conditions give them absolute power and prevent that seller from suing them. Lunacy.

 

I wonder why the buyer actually broke it though. Clearly he was a total dick. So why didn't he complete his dick move by turning around and selling it himself?

 

Probably the requirement to show photo proof. Though nothing would stop him from smashing a cheap violin or just something wooden that might look like a smashed violin, keeping the real one and getting the refund. The whole policy is bass-ackwards. I haven't actually looked to see if it's still in place.