People on ebay are going crazy!!!

[moycon]

Good thing the last bidder didn't bid $4000 to insure he won right before buyAtari bid that last $5000 (Yeah I know its all hypothetical) imagine paying $4010 for Lochjaw... Now that....Would be.... CRAZY!!

Love,

Moycon

[NE146]

quote

Yes but HOW did Buyatari know what amount to snipe with? I see that the bidding was sitting at something like $835, and BuyAtari just *knew* to use $960 as his number? How do you all do this? What's your game?  

I'll try to explain the way *I* understand it. If I'm wrong anywhere then please chime in and correct me

 

The way I understand it is the way ebay works is you bid your maximum (i.e. the MOST that you'd be willing to pay for an item) and it only brings up the value to just an increment over the existing highest bid.

 

For example, say the existing high bid for an item is $10.

 

If I bid $1000, which means that is the highest amount I'm willing to offer for that item, then the bid amount will increment to $10.50 (using 50 cent increments in this example.. I'm not sure what Ebay uses). If no one else bids on it and I win, then I get the item for only $10.50.

 

Now say with that $1000 bid in place, you take a look and see the existing price at $10.50. Say you decide to bid $15 (or whatever price you want), you'd see that you were IMMEDIATELY outbid by me at $15.50! That's because I had bid $1000 which is again, my stated highest amount I'm willing to go. Now we can keep going.. you bid $20 then see you were outbid at $20.50. You bid $200 then see you were immediately outbid at $200.50... Then you get pissed off and bid $900, well then you would see you were immediately outbid at $900.50! The only way you're going to be the high bidder is if you beat my highest bid of $1000.

 

So Buyatari probably didn't just snipe at $960, but possibly a lot more. The existing "high" bid showed as $835 but it was probably higher than that. And Buyatari at the last minute threw in his snipe for who knows what amount... maybe it was $1500 for all we know

[MattG/Snyper2099]

@moonlightnight hey, I've been looking for that one a long while now. Please let me have a crack at the next one. Allthough, I thought that maybe the price was so low because of the bad picture and peeling label. Typically, that game sells between $30 and $60. I've been "watching" it for years.

[dwh]

I've been watching ebay for two years now and can say that the price of game systems(with or without games)is going up,and I predict will cont. to go up--the same for boxed and sealed games and controllers of all types.Those of us on "fixed" incomes are just jealous that we can't afford to get stuff as it cont's to go up in price...I know I am.

[Fretwobbler]

I'm jealous. I'm sick of high house prices in England too

 

I do think $500 for an Atari just becasue its sealed is a bit silly and I doubt I would pay that even if I was lighting fat cuban cigars with rolled up £50.00 notes.

 

For the game though I can fully understand paying a fortune for it - if you can afford it. I dont know the guy who won it but I'd bet he only needs 10 or so titles to complete his collection rather than him bidding on a whim becasue the game was up for auction and he had a bit of spare cash.

 

If I won the lottery I would probably hire somebody and their full time job would be to sit watching ebay with a list I had provided them with of all the games I needed, with the instructions I dont care what the game is, if its on that list just bid until you win - the cost is no object .

 

Adam

[sly]

I am the insane nutcase-second high bidder for lochjaw. Basically I have a vision that these Atari games especially boxed, in 5 years will be considerably more valuable than today. I happen to have probably all but 20 ntsc titles boxed for Atari maybe one of the top USA collections ever (next to Marco).

 

I quickly estimate Marco's collection to be around $50k today. I could be wrong.

 

Video games today or anything collectable for that matter will only go up in value because it's frankly not being produced anymore. Therefore, there is a limited supply and increasing demand. In the future that spells higher prices. The same occurs in real estate. There is only so much land available on earth and the people are multiplying at higher numbers than what's available for land. Enough said about economics.

 

It's still a risk to invest in video games but you have to believe something in life. Obviously, I am not the only nutcase. Marco, Buy Atari, Rick Weis also have similar views on value. Someday I believe several of you reading this will invest more in video games because you will move into a different level of collecting once you have achieved a certain level. I too wouldn't have spent too much on a game a few years ago but I find myself in a different position when you need only the 20 or so rarest games of all.

 

If you follow the trends on Ebay, you will noticed that the rare games are getting harder to find all the time and are appearing less on Ebay. Chase the Chuckwagon has been out there alot and is considered rare. Just in a few recent months alone the amount of Chase the Chuckwagons have decreased considerably.

 

 

The bottom line is that this could be marking the end of a low price era. I expect to see rare games to go for more and more money. I believe that video games will only increase in value. Common games like ET and Asteroids I am seeing get $2.00 or more loose. It will happen some day that you may see some of these common games go for $10 consistantly. O'sheas has already increased there prices on these over-produced games.

 

Most of the people are new to collecting on this board. It's understandable that one may not spend over a $100 for an old video game.

 

In summary, I believe this is just the beginning of video game collectables.

[StanJr]

So, erik, for you its ALL about the Benjamins, true or false?

[NE146]

Or the cheaper alternative is to go the old "player" rather than "collector" route and just be happy with it. I figure Videogames are a somewhat different beast than other collectibles since it's most important part, the actual playable software, can still be played even if you don't own it (e.g. Cuttlecart). Of course you miss out on having the actual hardware, the artwork, instructions and boxed goodness but that's really up to you if that kind of thing matters.

 

p.s. I got an old ad with Lochjaw in it.. think I can sell this for at least 100 bones? 75 maybe? Ok I'll take 50

 

[Fretwobbler]

Quoted by Erik-

 

quote

In summary, I believe this is just the beginning of video game collectables.  

 

I'm with you 100% on that one. I'll go one step further and say it will be the most valuable 'toy' collectible ever.

 

I agree with your judgement and am confident that should you chose to sell-up when you hit 55 or 60 you'll be having a retirement to die for.

 

After my pension LOST 12% last year in one fowl swoop I have now stopped paying into it and judging by the performance of my fathers I doubt I will ever start again, I'm thinking of alternatives and antiques(not nesecerily videogames) is something I have given serious thought to. I have considered getting the plastic out once or twice myself but as yet have resisted and forced myself to think 'i do this for the fun, not the potential money'. My entire collection if sold complete on e-bay would probably only fetch £1000 max in total, if that at the moment but in the year 2035 after many more years of adding to it, when i'm looking for my retirment home I am confident that it will provide a good nest egg.

 

Stan and many others may take offence to these views but you cant get away from it and I like every other human has his price. In 1995 when you could still find lots of Atari games in the wild in England I was a laughing stock amongst freinds and some of them are still non-believers but there is a hint of jealousy in their eyes now even though I only have a relatively modest collection, certainly nothing considered ultra-rare.

 

Its just a case of waiting for the ambitious children of today to become the millionairs of tomorrow.

 

There were only 5 or so serious bidders in that Lochjaw auction worldwide. If there were only another 5 more added to the 'insane' list as its been branded how much would it have gone for then?

 

I recently saw a block of 8 penny black stamps sell for £250,000 on a UK specialist online auction. In 100 years from now the Lochjaws, Quadrun and the other impossibles will go for the same, Ive said it before and I'll say it again - I'n my opinion (for what its worth )its inevitable.

 

Adam

 

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: Fretwobbler ]

[Rick Weis]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Erik:

I am the insane nutcase-second high bidder for lochjaw. Basically I have a vision that these Atari games especially boxed, in 5 years will be considerably more valuable than today. I happen to have probably all but 20 ntsc titles boxed for Atari maybe one of the top USA collections ever (next to Marco).

 

I quickly estimate Marco's collection to be around $50k today. I could be wrong.

 

Video games today or anything collectable for that matter will only go up in value because it's frankly not being produced anymore. Therefore, there is a limited supply and increasing demand. In the future that spells higher prices. The same occurs in real estate. There is only so much land available on earth and the people are multiplying at higher numbers than what's available for land. Enough said about economics.

 

It's still a risk to invest in video games but you have to believe something in life. Obviously, I am not the only nutcase. Marco, Buy Atari, Rick Weis also have similar views on value. Someday I believe several of you reading this will invest more in video games because you will move into a different level of collecting once you have achieved a certain level. I too wouldn't have spent too much on a game a few years ago but I find myself in a different position when you need only the 20 or so rarest games of all.

 

If you follow the trends on Ebay, you will noticed that the rare games are getting harder to find all the time and are appearing less on Ebay. Chase the Chuckwagon has been out there alot and is considered rare. Just in a few recent months alone the amount of Chase the Chuckwagons have decreased considerably.

 

 

The bottom line is that this could be marking the end of a low price era. I expect to see rare games to go for more and more money. I believe that video games will only increase in value. Common games like ET and Asteroids I am seeing get $2.00 or more loose. It will happen some day that you may see some of these common games go for $10 consistantly. O'sheas has already increased there prices on these over-produced games.

 

Most of the people are new to collecting on this board. It's understandable that one may not spend over a $100 for an old video game.

 

In summary, I believe this is just the beginning of video game collectables.

---

 

HI Erik,

 

it sounds like you have a very nice collection!! how long have you been collecting?

 

correct me if i'm wrong in understanding your statement you are buying these games as an investment? so you plan on selling your collection xx years from now??.......

 

Take Care, and Good luck with your investments!!

 

Rick

[Rick Weis]

quote:

---

Originally posted by NE146:

Or the cheaper alternative is to go the old "player" rather than "collector" route and just be happy with it. I figure Videogames are a somewhat different beast than other collectibles since it's most important part, the actual playable software, can still be played even if you don't own it (e.g. Cuttlecart). Of course you miss out on having the actual hardware, the artwork, instructions and boxed goodness but that's really up to you if that kind of thing matters.

 

p.s. I got an old ad with Lochjaw in it.. think I can sell this for at least 100 bones? 75 maybe? Ok I'll take 50

 

---

 

ad looks great!!

 

i will give you 50 bones....

(chicken bones that is)

 

Take Care,

 

Rick

[Adrian M]

Looking through my collection, I just discovered that I have boxed and complete copies of Raquetball and Space Cavern. The price tag is a Kaybee price tag with a price of 99 cents written in red marker. Out of curiosity, what do boxed Raquetball and Space Cavern go for?

[Rick Weis]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adrian M:

Looking through my collection, I just discovered that I have boxed and complete copies of Raquetball and Space Cavern. The price tag is a Kaybee price tag with a price of 99 cents written in red marker. Out of curiosity, what do boxed Raquetball and Space Cavern go for?

---

 

well... i would guess 10.00 each?? (anybody correct me if i'm way out in left feild on this!!)

[StanJr]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Stan and many others may take offence to these views but you cant get away from it and I like every other human has his price.

---

 

 

I take no offense at all. Its yer $$$ spend it how you will. I do feel that when the "hobby" is simply reduced to an investment, it loses LOTS, if not all, of its appeal. The "investor collectors" (and by this I mean people who would buy a game for only its monetary worth and not to play it) are taking away fun from "player collectors" who would equally treasure the game, not because it will yield large profits in the years ahead, but because playing it will bring years of fun. There is so much more to the world than financial gain. There will be one less player who can play that game in its original form.

 

As for "everyone having a price." I do not think you could be more wrong. While your statement is true for a great many people, there are as many more to whom this does not apply. I have no price. I cannot be bought for any price. I have no use for money beyond its ability to sustain me. I have no great desire to hoard large sums of it, nor do I wish to acquire lavish things for the pure reason of having them. I know I'm coming off very righteous here, and such is not my intent. But on this point I fear you and I greatly disagree.

 

In the end it is all relative and everyone is unique and has their own deal.

 

Soapbox Stan

[Albert]

quote:

---

Originally posted by NE146:

p.s. I got an old ad with Lochjaw in it.. think I can sell this for at least 100 bones? 75 maybe? Ok I'll take 50

---

 

Wow, that's a great ad! What are the odds that I can get a much higher-resolution scan of it? What magazine (assuming it appeared in a magazine) did it come from?

 

..Al

[moycon]

I would say this is one topic where a lot of people on the board will just have to agree to disagree. Convincing someone they are crazy for spending mad cash on a game is like trying to turn a person away from his/her faith. I personally agree with Stan Jr. For certain if you are collecting as an investment it seems like a long shot to assume you'd ever recoup your investment down the road. Recently Atari has become somewhat "hip" again. I tribute this to web-pages like this as well as retro articles, and a slew of books that have been released recently. A lot of people that grew up playing Atari now make decent $$$ and can spend it to re-kindle their childhood. It has driven the price of games up and brought in more collectors. Case in point how-ever. I can more than afford a $1000 hit to my bank account. And I LOVE Atari. I would play Atari for hours and HOURS as a kid. I would not pay $1000 for a video game. Even if I had the game as a kid (which I didn’t so the appeal to me is even less) I would not spend that kind of money on something like that even though I can afford it and love the hobby. I would not spend that kind of cash as an investment because sooner or later the fad will die down again and the prices will drop (This is speculation on my part so don’t ask how I know this, I collect many things I’ve seen it before…I’ll see it again)…ask the guy who spent $1,200 on a beanie baby. Asked the guy who spent $60 on a comic book and tried to sell it on ebay 10 years later and was offered $3.50. I think what it all boils down to is priorities. If you made it you’re priority to own every game for the Atari for what ever reason. (What do you do when you have them all?? When my collection reached 280 different games. It did nothing for my social life. Didn’t get me a promotion… Maybe made some women who came over a little uneasy that was about it. )

Then I suppose you’d be willing to pay what ever to get your goals met. Thank god everybody on this earth has different goals. Trying to convince someone that their goals are “crazy” is not only futile but its also no-ones place. Even tho many of us here don’t see eye to eye on the topic I thinks it’s great that we can all benefit from the knowledge and the common passion we all share that is ATARI!!!

[NE146]

quote

What are the odds that I can get a much higher-resolution scan of it  

 

Piece of cake! Actually it was right under your nose if you take a look at the urls. I can probably make an even higher res scan but unfortunately it comes from my collection of severely beaten videogame magazines so it will be pretty ugly as you can see. I didn't bother with taking too much care of stuff when I was a kid, but at least I kept everything

 

If you like that, there's probably a good bunch of other stuff I could scan. I have a pretty respectable collection of interesting videogame mags and books, but the majority of them are at home about 7000 miles away along with the majority of my videogame collection. Luckily I did bring a few of them with me.

 

As far as where that particular ad came from, I'll have to dig out that mag to find out exactly (and it's boxed under a bunch of luggages), but I believe it's from a really early issue of Electronic Games.

[MoonlightKnight]

@MattG Don't worry Matt. After this you can have EVERY Tomarc (unless someone sells it with a bunch of other games for cheap )Once it arrives I can officially scratch that one off my list Any other copies that come my way will just end up back on e-Bay. i won't pay that much for another copy now that I have one If I get another one before you do though, I'll give you first dibs

[MoonlightKnight]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adrian M:

Looking through my collection, I just discovered that I have boxed and complete copies of Raquetball and Space Cavern. The price tag is a Kaybee price tag with a price of 99 cents written in red marker. Out of curiosity, what do boxed Raquetball and Space Cavern go for?

---

 

You could probably put these on e-Bay with a starting bid of $9.99 each with s/h at $5.00 each. You would probably get more bids on Raquetball though...

[MoonlightKnight]

Woo Hoo! I did it again! I just checked my e-Bay page (cause I just got home a little while ago) and found I had won this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?V...indexURL=0&rd=1

 

Sure I paid a bit for it, but in this case I felt it was worth it. can you believe that my bid held out for 4 1/2 hours? And the guy had the manual, too? Man, with my birthday only 2 days away, my list of "presents to myself" is getting bigger all the time. Now there's just one more that I see... Oh yes, it will be mine. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

Excuse me, I lost my mind there for a second.

[Lemmi]

HUH????

 

is that the link you want us to see?

[MoonlightKnight]

DANG!

 

Stupid e-Bay. I forgot it was Friday morning. Now we have to wait two hours to see it. It was Miner 2049'er 2. And I paid almost $60 for it

[MoonlightKnight]

Ok...

 

Why did that link I posted go German on me? I wasn't anywhere near the German e-Bay when I copied and pasted it. Wow.

[jahfish]

i personally collect for many reasons ... for the fun .... for playing the games and reminiscing of old days ..... for the beauty of many boxes, packaging, illustrations and for some amazing industrial design (the romscanner or gameline module just look great) .... and also a little as investment.

 

if in some years i won't be interested that much in atari, i'll box and seal all items, and will store them in a safe place ..... then when my daughter is between 20-30 years, i'll go "hey look what i got for you"

 

i'll make sure she is old enought not just to play and break it (now she's 6)

 

i also do think that we're in the last years where you'll find all these items in such big quantities .....

 

you can allready notice that pong consoles start to be way more expensive than atari consoles. i remember buying a set of three pongs (atari-sears quadropong - apf) and a remote joystick (actually just for that one) for 10$ in usa in 98. i sold the 3 pongs in 2001 on ebay.de for the amazing total of 110$. i couldn't believe it ....

[sly]

Don't misunderstand the facts. I do believe these games will be worth substantially more but I am not going to bank on it either. I brought up the money and economics aspect because that was everyone posting under this message seemed to be concerned with including labeling me insane aspect. Of course I like the games but I am not going to pull out Quadrun, Lochjaw which are worth quite a bit a really play everyday. As far as the playabilty of these games, I am highly satisfied with most of the common games like

combat,asteroids, Kaboom, warlords, adventure, superman. These games are great.

 

I would consider selling my collection if the price and situation were right but for now there are only a few people out there that would even consider this.