places to buy Atari computer stuff OTHER then feebay

[Atari-Collector]

Other then prowling the evil auction side constantly.. Is that any place that sell Atari computer hardware? With in Canada would be nice, but not necessary. I'm hunting to a floppy drive and a 850 or other printer and maybe serial interfaces. And ebay just causes seller to have to inflate their prices because of the ever increasing fees they rip us off for..

 

 

[+David_P]

There's Best Electronics and B&C Computervisions, http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/ and http://myatari.com/ that you can check out for new or reconditioned stuff, though you're still stuck with high shipping costs.

[Atari-Collector]

THanks. I know the shipping cost across the border are insane. But I'm looking at it as this is stuff I buy once and will probably out last me.

And it seems like most of the listings on ebay say "untested" which to me says it probably doesn't work. I bought 4 carts a while back that were untested, 2 worked...

[+David_P]

I'll have to dig out a few of my boxes of stuff; I might have a working 850 stashed away; if so, I'll let you know. I've also got a spare 800xl (that is, an 800xl besides my Ultimate 1Mb 800xl, my 256K RAMBO 800xl, and my stock 800xl) that could also be available if you're interested. I'm in Ottawa.

[bbking67]

hey I`m in ottawa too! There`s more than one Atari guy left in Ottawa!

[ryanmercer]

www.shopgoodwill.com but it's all untested (somtimes they'll plug it in to see if a power indicator light turns on) and I pretty much bid on everything that's not a 2600 so you'll be fighting me. Same goes for commodore monitors, I get pretty fierce (there is one up right now, it's been relisted non stop for 3 months... the power cord is cut off about an inch outside of the monito and they want what you can get one in working condition for).

 

ALWAYS CHECK SHIPPING before bidding on shopgoodwill, they just randomly guess the weight (I bought a 2600 with a dozen cartridges and a few joysticks & paddles, they had the weight as 37 pounds... showed up and was less than 10 on the shipping label). I also bought more than 500lbs of Lego this summer from them, a bunch were listed as 40lb lots... the heaviest one that showed up was 31lbs on the shipping label and the lightest was 19lbs, and they were charging me for 40lbs of shipping heh. Shipping can be insane because of this.

[ricortes]

IMHO: You may want to check your local craigslist. Craigslist is almost if not demonstrably worse then fleabay. I mean everything from serial killers to prostitution rings.

 

On the upside is you get the occasional gem from a collector or estate sale. I did check your local craigslist http://ottawa.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=atari&sort=rel and it looked a bit thin. Of course it changes weekly.

[Bill Lange]

I've recently picked up a couple of collections on Craigslist here in NJ. I'll add a list of available stuff to my signature as well as a list of stuff I'd be interested in trading for.

 

Bill

[+wood_jl]

Sorry to say, but Flea-Pay is the best place, if you're (1) willing to take a chance, and (2) may possibly stumble upon a bargain. Next would be here, but that is quite inconsistent; there is consistently a mixed-bag of nice (and not-so) A8 hardware on Flea-Pay.

 

If you have a fat wallet that you're willing to take out and empty, you can always get good A8 hardware from Best and B&C.

[Atari-Collector]

IMHO: You may want to check your local craigslist. Craigslist is almost if not demonstrably worse then fleabay. I mean everything from serial killers to prostitution rings.

 

On the upside is you get the occasional gem from a collector or estate sale. I did check your local craigslist http://ottawa.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=atari&sort=rel and it looked a bit thin. Of course it changes weekly.

I don't often loko at Craigs list, but I do have auto searches on kajiji or however you spell it.. but most is it junk or sellers that think that should get full MSRP from it and I seems stuff listed as good condition that looks like road kill..

But I know it's out there.. it's a matter of time and watching.

[Atari-Collector]

THanks for all the replies. I always like to so a general thanks so nobody feel unappreciated (i have too much experience in that,, but that's a other babbling....)

 

I'll go over the sites list tonite and to morrow, it's amazing to see there still some old stock in new boxes. I still think if windows never happened Atari would rule the world:)

It's great to see a lot of people still care about these old machines. Next time I'm in the book store I'm going to look if there are any magazines that serve to us old geeks:)

[_The Doctor__]

Hands down best places to find Atari stuff is school and municipal sales, yard, garage, and community sales.. (thrift stores also, but not online) or mentioning you like Atari to your friends and they will tell you where they run across the stuff or will bring it to you.. the worst is ebay, craiglist, vintage computer and gaming sights/ stores that all want the stuff to be worth a zillion dollars when it is not... most things are worth less than the price they were when new. only a couple of things are worth the same price as when new and only the rarest of the rare is worth more than the when it was new price... avoid the seal it up in a vault and one day it will be worth a zillion dollars crew... truth is... that will happen after the current citys we live in are burried deep in sands of time and they dig me and the Atari I am typing on up.. Heck even my bones may fetch a zillion dollars then...

Edited November 4, 2014 by _The Doctor__

[_The Doctor__]

LOL, Windows 3.11 was the reason every computer other than win/tel should have won.... The truth is the x86 compatibles had upgrade slots and hard drives.. thats why the things went the way they did... I spoke directly with Tramiel back in the day and he wanted the Atari's to be a closed system and stopped all the add ons. He wanted everything supplied by Atari and sealed behind the tamper proof label. That is what happened to Atari... and Commodore... by the time Commodore was free of Tramiel it was too late... and he was just in time to suck Atari dry... look back at what happened with chip dev and what became or was to become the Amiga and Atari ending in the the shady JTS hard drive deal that took cash rich Atari and let their family pocket all the money.

Edited November 4, 2014 by _The Doctor__

[+wood_jl]

Hands down best places to find Atari stuff is school and municipal sales, yard, garage, and community sales.. (thrift stores also, but not online) or mentioning you like Atari to your friends and they will tell you where they run across the stuff or will bring it to you..

Well, yeah, the "best" is when your good friend, best friend, sister, mother, brother, church, or next door neighbor has it for sale. How often does that happen, now that the stuff is all nearly 30 years old?

 

 

the worst is ebay, craiglist, vintage computer and gaming sights/ stores that all want the stuff to be worth a zillion dollars when it is not... most things are worth less than the price they were when new.

Yeah, it's the "worst," when your good friend, best friend, sister, mother, brother, church, or next door neighbor DO have it for sale and offer an alternative. LOL. Many times, it's your only choice. I suppose the "best" and the "worst" place to buy it from changes on-the-fly, and the "best" (have it ready for sale) becomes the "worst" (just sold it, no more in stock!) as soon as they sell it.

 

As far as the ***OVERALL*** best place to procure Atari8 stuff at this late date (stuff near 30 years old, yard sales sold out, family sold out, thrift stores nearly all sold out), then Ebay isn't so bad, after all. The "best" place is the place that (1) has stuff available (at all), (2) in good condition, and (3) at a reasonable price. If only our priests and pastors were still dealing in A8 stuff, then yeah, they'd be the "best" place to deal with. Unfortunately, they've been using Wintel computers for the last 20 years and don't even know what an Atari computer looks like. It's up to the individual not to overpay. Overpay opportunity abounds at online retailers.

[_The Doctor__]

LMAO sour grapes, now you make the post about church and priests......

 

But I guess your right the church down the block does sell the stuff sometimes...it seems the congregation supplies the stuff to sell and Atari stuff is there (thanks for the reminder), I got a working heavy sixer with 12 cartridges for $8.00). Point is I am not aware of any place where the Atari stuff isn't being found or sold or given away or thrown away... yes that's right laying right out at the curb. other place you can find Atari stuff is at auctions, q-marts, flea markets and the like..

 

e-bay re-sellers and price gougers get their stuff from all the place I have posted to you about... they get real upset and make quotey degrading posts because you might beat them to the places I mentioned and get it for a fair price.

 

and since the whole point of the thread is places other than fee-bay wtf are you posting go to ebay on it for anyway?

[_The Doctor__]

Another place to by Atari stuff is right from people here on Atari Age, the Atari Forums, Ami-Bay.... but these are just the tip of the ice-berg... I also have seen them listed in the for-sale section of the news paper... as well as the local rags they are usually free papers listing stuff to sell or trade....

I have seen curb alerts on free-cycle etc. with Atari stuff... in fact most of the eco- sights have been free for the taking.... they don't want it in the land fill...

so I guess the best ones are free...

 

I sure hope the ebay re-selling price gouging turds don't read any of this or it may make it hard for decent folks to own and enjoy Atari today.

Edited November 4, 2014 by _The Doctor__

[ryanmercer]

Hands down best places to find Atari stuff is school and municipal sales, yard, garage, and community sales..

 

Some of my better (better working) stuff has various high school's names written on them in marker *sigh*.

[gilsaluki]

Our local thrift stores used to have Atari stuff all the time, like $2.49 for a 400 or $2.00 for a boxed 2600. Now, I can't even find a standard joystick (broken or otherwise).. I think Ebay did this to us.

[+wood_jl]

LMAO sour grapes, now you make the post about church and priests......

Sorry, Doc - I didn't mean to be petulant, although my post might have come across that way.

 

Not really sour grapes. It's just that sometimes, Ebay has the best deal. I've had bad deals on Ebay, but so many more good deals! Now, of course, when purchasing A8 stuff, it helps to be (1) familiar with A8 hardware, and (2) experienced with Ebay dealings. After being scammed a bit as an Ebay newbie, one learns a bit of helpful skepticism.

 

Right now - on AtariAge (perhaps the best place to buy A8 hardware) - there are **ZERO** for sale. Does that make it the best place? Well, when there *is* hardware for sale from reputable sellers, RESOUNDINGLY, YES!!! But it's a bit rare. If one does an Ebay search, there are tons for sale. That's what makes it the best place, for the informed, experienced, and wary consumer.

 

Why - in a thread about "elsewhere than Ebay" mention Ebay? Because I don't want the original poster to completely discount Ebay. Right now, as there are zero A8 hardware for sale on AtariAge, Ebay is a better prospect. Sure, I've been burned on Ebay before, but I've had so many more positive transactions, that I feel the need to reiterate that it's a viable source of good A8, and should not be completely written off, on account of some bad anecdotes (which are, indeed, possible to occur again).

 

If one is familiar with the A8 and familiar with Ebay (reading descriptions as to "guaranteed to work," pictures of it working, seller-testimony that it works, and most importantly - a REPUTABLE SELLER - I've had quite good luck with Flea-Bay.

 

But to each his own. I've been burned before on Ebay too - just less-frequently. And I do apologize if my tone was "snarky." Take care, fellow A8 man.

[Atari-Collector]

Sorry, Doc - I didn't mean to be petulant, although my post might have come across that way.

 

Not really sour grapes. It's just that sometimes, Ebay has the best deal. I've had bad deals on Ebay, but so many more good deals! Now, of course, when purchasing A8 stuff, it helps to be (1) familiar with A8 hardware, and (2) experienced with Ebay dealings. After being scammed a bit as an Ebay newbie, one learns a bit of helpful skepticism.

 

Right now - on AtariAge (perhaps the best place to buy A8 hardware) - there are **ZERO** for sale. Does that make it the best place? Well, when there *is* hardware for sale from reputable sellers, RESOUNDINGLY, YES!!! But it's a bit rare. If one does an Ebay search, there are tons for sale. That's what makes it the best place, for the informed, experienced, and wary consumer.

 

Why - in a thread about "elsewhere than Ebay" mention Ebay? Because I don't want the original poster to completely discount Ebay. Right now, as there are zero A8 hardware for sale on AtariAge, Ebay is a better prospect. Sure, I've been burned on Ebay before, but I've had so many more positive transactions, that I feel the need to reiterate that it's a viable source of good A8, and should not be completely written off, on account of some bad anecdotes (which are, indeed, possible to occur again).

 

If one is familiar with the A8 and familiar with Ebay (reading descriptions as to "guaranteed to work," pictures of it working, seller-testimony that it works, and most importantly - a REPUTABLE SELLER - I've had quite good luck with Flea-Bay.

 

But to each his own. I've been burned before on Ebay too - just less-frequently. And I do apologize if my tone was "snarky." Take care, fellow A8 man.

 

I'm not writing off ebay, in fact I just got a 1010 tape drive I bought off ebay in the mail today and have an 800 (tank case) coming. In fact I'm a power seller on ebay (but I don't sell Atari stuff... well I did sell a few RF connectors a year back, I sell LEDs for model train for those bored enough to wonder) I just wanted other options. I know there's are web dealers for 2600 games but wasn't up on the computer stuff.

 

I've had lot's of good buys on ebay and some bad ones too..

 

From what I've seen, it's far easier to get Atari stuff if you are in the USA vs Canada. I guess it's a size/population type thing. To make it harder there's a couple used games stores around here that seem to jump on any local ad and resell in their store at full blow retail prices that are close new prices on hardware at least. I figure I just have to bite the bullet on shipping til I at least get the system I want (ie a replacement for what I had in my teens) and just go casual hunter and grab what I can when it presents itself. The main thing is getting printing ability and a floppy at this point. and modem going so I can call Atari BBS's on true 8bit style

[gilsaluki]

I have only been burned by people with no or few feedbacks on Ebay. Beware of them. And I got burned by a guy selling replacement PS3 optical drives. Filed a complaint with Ebay; Ebay did nothing this guy is still out there ripping people off. Look at the feedbacks, carefully before bidding. If a lot of negatives, keep on driving.

[_The Doctor__]

Those tv shows that show a pile of crap and the magical box that's worth a zillion dollar in every show kinda started a vintage shop explosion... it will die down...

FYI two of the mega showz shut down the retail end of their operations and now supply to other retail shops. The reason? They could not get what they are asking for their finds.

Look it up... they priced themselves out of the market! lmfao at the whole thing

 

Atari will go back to being POWER without the Price soon enough... Hold steady. And enjoy 8 bit nirvana. Such a wonderful break from todays overcomplicated bloated mess!

 

another place to get stuff!!!

 

A friend just scored Atari from the re-cycling / e-cycling center! sneaky fellow has a deal with them if Atari comes thru they give him a call.... super cheap too! But there is a downside he has to take the whole thing and can't pick and choose....that means he gets the colecovision with it sometimes when he really does not want it... bummer

 

Follow up, He says the reason why they do it is the center would rather guarrentee it gets gone than to take up space and wait to sell it piecemeal just too much stuff coming in all the time, relentless. They need to turn the stuff out fast! A lot of stuff gets stripped down to nothing if they can't move it fast... these can become those 'pulls' you buy from china in the end..... sad face

Edited November 5, 2014 by _The Doctor__

[Atari-Collector]

The recycling try places here won't let people touch the old electronics, they'd rather destroy a working machine then let it be preserved.. really stupid..

 

I've seen those shows too,, the pickers and storage locker buyers that amazingly every week find some wonderful item that have to have an expert come on tell the world what a great thing they found. then they complain that the internet has lowered the value of the stuff..It'll be nice when the fad a picker, pawn and so on shows die off. We need a geek reality show. not something that mocks us, but show what real geeks are. (The BBS show IT Crowd wasn't bad though..) But thats just me rambling

 

I do know guy that's a "scrapper".. and he also buys up stuff at auctions and estate sales, but he deals mainly in books, music , watches etc. a couple month ago have gave me a few 2600 carts he got in a bundle and a good size pile of 2600 cart manuals. He does deal in that stuff so he just gave them too me. :)In return I help him test electronics when he needs stuff checked (I'm a licensed ham radio operator)

[_The Doctor__]

I really enjoy when Atarians help each other out and share their experience like that. I hope everyone give it a shot to get an 'in' at the local thrift, e-cycle, re-cycle, and waste management centers, and the local 'scrapper' or 'picker' is a nice one! I had not used that avenue yet... although I admit to dumpster diving myself to rescue 6 atari 800's from an old school remodle/clean out.... 4 of them just needed keyboard resoldering.... all worked like champs... I gave them away to local kids and folk.

[Atari-Collector]

There's Best Electronics and B&C Computervisions, <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/%20and%C2%A0http://myatari.com/%20that%20you%20can%20check%20out%20for%20new%20or%20reconditioned%20stuff,%20though%20you" href="http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/%20and%C2%A0http://myatari.com/%20that%20you%20can%20check%20out%20for%20new%20or%20reconditioned%20stuff,%20though%20you" re%20still%20stuck%20with%20high%20shipping%20costs."="">http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/ and http://myatari.com/ that you can check out for new or reconditioned stuff, though you're still stuck with high shipping costs.

 

 

I emailed them both yesterday for a shipping quote for a 1050, 850 and 3 SIO cables, never heard back from myatari.com and just tried calling them (with in their listed business hours) and no answer.. So I'm guessing they are away.. Or are they hard to get in touch with? Best Electronics's prices are a bit higher, but answered my email, and since I need the 850 so I can hook out aprinter and modem, I guess I'll give them a call...

 

I did buy a 1050 on ebay today, don't think it had a SIO cable with it though..