Overpricing Thanks to Ebay

[BurningDoom]

Overpriced Game Stuff thanks to Ebay

So I was just recently looking for a Commodore 64 on the usual sites: Ebay, Amazon, and Half.com because mine died last year. I figured I'd be looking at the $20-$50 range as these things are obselete as heck and have an eternity for load times. Boy was I wrong. They're going in the $150-$200 range. I was astonished! It's not like these things are rare or anything. They were one of the most common computers in the world in the 80s.

Then I looked for an NES as the NES I own is having blinking problems so bad I'm messing with cartridges more than I'm playing them. I did buy a new, still shrink-wrapped 72-pin connector for it, but it seems to be doing worse than before I put it in. So I don't want to gamble on one of those again. Well, I have all the cords, controllers, and games and everything already. All I want is the console only. And the cheapest one will end up costing me $40 in the end. $40 for a console only of one of the most common gaming systems in the world! Again, crazy. This should be a $20-$25 purchase.

Ebay and the like seemed like a godsend for collectors at first. You could have what you want at your fingertips. But in the long run, it seems be hurting collector's as it drives up prices, one guy sees that an system is selling for $20 more than he was going to so he sells his for the same price and so on. And brick and mortar stores are pricing their stuff according to Ebay prices now.

This is maddening. I will probably end up paying the $40 for the NES. But I WILL NOT pay $150-$200 for a Commodore 64. No way in the world is that thing worth that much.

[Czernobog]

This is exactly why I don't have a Commodore 64 even though I would like to get one. I'll just wait until I find it in a flea market for cheap.

I've noticed lately that stores around me use Ebay to price their merchandise. The big problem I'm noticing is that they base it on asking prices instead of the price the items are actually selling for. I keep seeing ridiculous prices on things like common Genesis cartridges like Mortal Kombat getting priced at around twenty USD.

[Flake]

The good news is that you are not alone in this feeling. Very few people are likely to pay the 'tourist' price. If a vendor with a sufficient stock to move wants to stay in business, they will eventually lower their prices to more competitive levels. Overpricing is here to stay but with a little leg work you can always get around it.

[YoshiEgg25]

Then I looked for an NES as the NES I own is having blinking problems so bad I'm messing with cartridges more than I'm playing them. I did buy a new, still shrink-wrapped 72-pin connector for it, but it seems to be doing worse than before I put it in. So I don't want to gamble on one of those again.

Try not pushing down on the toaster. If you screwed in the connector too tightly, it can mess with the video settings, and not pushing it down should cause it to work fine.

[flojocabron]

I've always known this, and thats why I've Never bought from ebay!

I have already amassed a huge collection, and its all been pretty much fleamarkets and thrift stores and the occasional big box store.

I am a patient fellow and I know I will come across something out in the wild sooner or later!

many times in your town (or the next one over) there is, hidden in back of a store or yard sale that one awesome find.

Sadly some people think they can sell you things in real life based on ebay prices! I hate those fools! Just move on and let them keep their overpriced stuff. They'll come around sooner or later.

[Jamisonia]

this is a real problem on the DC craigslist. People often attempt to sell their stuff for more than the eBay asking price. And refuse to negotiate. Most of the time I offer at or slightly below VGPC prices to these people only to get ridiculed back. Yes ridiculed, the poster will often respond back that I don't know anything about video games, and I'm dumb for expecting him to accept such a lowball offer. On the flip side, when I sell stuff at the DC clist I always try to ask the VGPC price, expecting to have somebody offer a little bit less then go from there, but often then I have people e-mail and ridicule me for asking such a high price. Its infuriating and frustrating. I once had a guy tell me that his Genesis was worth more than my life because he wanted nothing less than $100 for it. He hadn't posted a price in his ad so I asked, when he said $100 I said thats crazy, and he said its worth my than my life.

[dsheinem]

supply and demand.

But I WILL NOT pay $150-$200 for a Commodore 64. No way in the world is that thing worth that much.

Says you. The online market says otherwise. If you want to find it cheaper, you have to do work. Effort factors into price too.

Also, shipping a C64 is a bitch and it is expensive. Even shipping an NES can easily be $15. Are you complaining that you'll have to spend $40 by buying one for $25 and then have to pay $15 shipping? Seems very reasonable to me.

[noiseredux]

Also, shipping a C64 is a bitch and it is expensive. Even shipping an NES can easily be $15. Are you complaining that you'll have to spend $40 by buying one for $25 and then have to pay $15 shipping? Seems very reasonable to me.

I ran into the snag selling a NES recently. That's why I kind of hate selling consoles to be honest. Even if you price them really low, shipping ends up hiking it up and you end up making very little just to move it out of your attic.

[AppleQueso]

what the fuck a C64 is worth THAT much?

And my friend sold his for fucking $50... argh

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Here is one with less than 2 days to go on it. Shipping to where I live is about $15 but will probably be different where you are.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=7295045

JY