Heavy sixer auctions - idiots or scam artists?

[spacecadet]

I'm seeing a lot more auctions these days by sellers claiming to be selling "heavy sixers" that clearly aren't. Couple examples:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...8161636839&rd=1

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...8160768040&rd=1

 

I'm not sure whether this is an example of how a little bit of knowledge can get you in a lot of trouble, or if it's people actively trying to scam an extra couple bucks out of their auctions. The pictures in these auctions are invariably so bad that someone who didn't know better might not be able to tell the difference, but to someone who actually owns a heavy sixer, the differences are pretty obvious even with the poor picture quality. But I wonder if that bad picture quality is intentional.

 

The first example up there also sort of skirts around it by never using the term "heavy sixer" - he says it's a "heavy 6 switch system", which could mean nothing, but he also claims it's the "original" Atari 2600. It's obvious what he's trying to say.

 

The last example also has a pretty shady looking disclaimer: "All items listed are sold as is with no expressed or implied warranty. We try to describe items to the best of our ability. Please understand that we are not experts and that this is just a hobby for us. We do our best to insure an accurate description. If you have any questions please ask prior to bidding to avoid any potential problems."

 

...which sounds to me like "we know this isn't a heavy sixer, but we're not gonna tell you unless you ask... and if you don't ask, hey, not our fault! We did our best!"

 

In any case, I would demand a refund if I bought a system based on these auction descriptions. It's clearly a case of incorrect information, regardless of intent. But I wonder what the consensus is about these sellers - ignorance or malice?

 

You can probably guess what I think.

[+FujiSkunk]

I'd say ignorance. You have to be pretty far into 2600 collecting before you discover there were two different versions of the 6-switch Atari 2600, especially since, relatively speaking, there aren't that many of the first version out there. I've been collecting to some degree for over 10 years, and I didn't know what a "heavy sixer" was until last year.

 

Stop laughing.

[spacecadet]

I'd say ignorance.  You have to be pretty far into 2600 collecting before you discover there were two different versions of the 6-switch Atari 2600, especially since, relatively speaking, there aren't that many of the first version out there.  I've been collecting to some degree for over 10 years, and I didn't know what a "heavy sixer" was until last year.

 

Stop laughing.

 

I didn't know when I first started collecting either, but these people obviously know the term "heavy sixer", so you'd think they'd then know there's a difference between a heavy sixer and a regular six switch unit. (Otherwise, why use it as a selling point?) I could see if one or two people had just heard the term and didn't know what it meant, but this is four current auctions that I just happened to stumble on (without looking) and there are always more where that came from.

 

I wonder what they'd say if someone emailed them and told them they're not selling a heavy sixer and that if they don't change the description, they're very likely to have an irate buyer on their hands.