columbia home arcade

[rapoza609]

Can anyone suggest the value of a Columbia home arcade system? I have an opportunity to buy one but I don't want to spend far more than its worth. Can't Even find it under the sold listings on EBay.

[Atari_Bill]

They're tough. That's for sure. Like anything else it depends on condition. For even an ok one I know I wouldn't hesitate to spend maybe $200 but I think I would be low.

[BassGuitari]

Another thing to consider about the Columbia is that, being a rebadged Coleco Gemini, chances are something on it is broken somewhere. Look for loose controller jacks, power sockets, and RF ports. That kind of stuff is common on Geminis but can be repaired without too much effort.

But even a damaged or mostly-working one is gonna be spendy. How much exactly, I actually couldn't tell you. They don't turn up too often (a rare case where "rare" actually MEANS rare!). I'd say if you can get one for $150-200 or less, you're getting a bargain. Market value's probably $300-400 and up, depending on condition and completeness. But again, they turn up so infrequently it's hard to gauge. Pay what you're comfortable with, I guess.

Edited May 7, 2015 by BassGuitari

[rapoza609]

The person is asking $500

[Atari_Bill]

Again depends on condition but that seems a little high to me unless it's in pretty much mint shape.

[CPUWIZ]

I'll pay that, if it has the box that nobody has ever seen before.

 

I don't actually believe there is a box, since it was mail order only.

[Atari_Bill]

Oh yeah. If you're talking box, it's a whole different conversation!!!

[rapoza609]

No box. He's firm at $500. If I did buy it, it would be the most I've spent for any single system or game but it would also probably be the most rare item in my collection. Right now the most I've spent is $200 on a boxed colecovision expansion module 3, the Adam computer module. Does anyone know how often the Columbia Home Arcade pops up for sale on ebay or this site?

[Atari_Bill]

It pretty much never pops up. I've seen one person post one on eBay in the last several years and he wants several thousand for it if I recall. Still I wouldn't pay $500 for a loose one myself. I would maybe go $250 tops but that's me.

[rapoza609]

Yeah, that's what I offered but he wasn't interested at that price

[BassGuitari]

Does anyone know how often the Columbia Home Arcade pops up for sale on ebay or this site?

 

Basically never. Once every couple of years maybe?