Turbo Gouging on Ebay ( r.i.p. - gouging much )

[cyloaiza]

So this "powerupvideogames" outfit has shown up and absolutely carpet-bombed Ebay in all sorts of wonderful TurboGrafx stuff: used, new, complete, common, rare, tons of stuff.
But, most of their prices completely suck, and their "Best Offer" option is a joke. I've already made 3 reasonable offers on some items, and each one of them was shot down, without even so much as a counter-offer. It's a real shame when the fun stuff falls into the wrong hands.

OK, here's the deal. I just purchased some stupidly expensive stuff from powerupvideogames. The email address is raregamergirl@[removed for now]. Apparently raregamergirl has an extensive negative history. See here and my favorite here. My stuff hasn't arrived yet, but I'm now very worried. Let's just say I'll be out a shit ton of money if she is a scam artist and I won't be happy. I do have a tracking # for at least one of the items I ordered. I'll keep you all posted when/if the games arrive. She does have 7 negative feed backs in the past month, that's not good.

Thank

So this "powerupvideogames" outfit has shown up and absolutely carpet-bombed Ebay in all sorts of wonderful TurboGrafx stuff: used, new, complete, common, rare, tons of stuff.

But, most of their prices completely suck, and their "Best Offer" option is a joke. I've already made 3 reasonable offers on some items, and each one of them was shot down, without even so much as a counter-offer. It's a real shame when the fun stuff falls into the wrong hands.

OK, here's the deal. I just purchased some stupidly expensive stuff from powerupvideogames. The email address is raregamergirl@[removed for now]. Apparently raregamergirl has an extensive negative history. See here and my favorite here. My stuff hasn't arrived yet, but I'm now very worried. Let's just say I'll be out a shit ton of money if she is a scam artist and I won't be happy. I do have a tracking # for at least one of the items I ordered. I'll keep you all posted when/if the games arrive. She does have 7 negative feed backs in the past month, that's not good.

Thanks for doing your part in contributing to the inflated market for turbo games.

[Sadler]

Actually, maybe I was a little harsh. I bought 3 games before this most recent batch from her, and all arrived very quick and in good condition. I did pay through paypal though, so assuming something does go wrong it's nice to know my bases are covered.

[Sadler]

Thanks for doing your part in contributing to the inflated market for turbo games. 

 

We've had this discussion before. I think even in this very thread. I honestly don't feel like rehashing it, but if you honestly just care about playing the games, there are plenty of cheap ways to do so. If you want to have original copies and want them now, you will pay for it. I'm alright with that.

[Necromancer]

If you want to have original copies and want them now, you will pay for it. I'm alright with that.

As previously noted, you're part of the problem not the solution.  Bravo.  Whatever happened to being patient the next time?

P.S. - was it the $500 Soldier Blade, the $600 Dynastic Hero, or both?

[Sadler]

Dynastic Hero.

Before I go on, let me make it abundantly clear: I like you Necro, as well as just about everyone on this board. You guys are great people, very knowledgeable, and always willing to help fellow turbo fans. I truly appreciate it.

Now, having said that, I'm feeling cranky, let's hash this out again. Could you spend every waking moment scouring garage sales, flea markets and craigslist hoping you find a copy of Dyanstic Hero for $0.50? Yeah. Could you hope to run across a misspelled copy with a BIN of $50 that lasts for 15 seconds? Sure. Are those realistic ways to find these rare games? No. Not at all, and I think you are kidding yourself if you believe that. I don't care that some of you found Magical Chase 6 years ago for $5. Congrats. That isn't the common case. So what are we really looking at here? Supply vs demand. Obviously there are people willing to pay these prices. Do I think an $80 Keith Courage is stupid? Of course! If there were copies of Dynastic Hero on ebay every day for $50, then $600 would be stupid. There aren't. $500-600 for that game is common. This isn't a "problem," it's the realities of economics. I'm sorry if some of you can't afford a $2000 Magical Chase. Honestly, right now I can't either. But I'm not going to condemn someone as "destroying the turbo market" if they pay that. They have the money to afford it, they want it, and that's fine.  

Seriously, you want to play these games cheaply? You've got 3 options: a) Buy it on Wii VC, b) Buy a PC Engine version or c) play it on emulators. Have to have a physical copy of the US version? Then pay the going rate. I've done it all ways. Now I want a complete US collection. Out of maybe 130 US titles I own, I think there's only 3 I've paid more than $100 for.

I'm not interested in destroying anything turbo related. I support homebrew. I offer to mail around memorabilia for free. Shit, I'll give away sealed copies of TV Sports games (sorry, that's all I've got duplicates of) to anyone that needs them. But if I want to spend my hard earned money on something, then that's my deal.

[sirhcman]

But if I want to spend my hard earned money on something, then that's my deal and f*ck you for suggesting I'm ruining anything.

I have no problem with what you said up until the second half of your last sentence.. Don't forget you are in an ebay gouging thread and should probably expect these sorts of comments

[Sadler]

But if I want to spend my hard earned money on something, then that's my deal and f*ck you for suggesting I'm ruining anything.

I have no problem with what you said up until the second half of your last sentence.. Don't forget you are in an ebay gouging thread and should probably expect these sorts of comments

Fair point. Edited.

[SMF]

I got Cyber-Core from them a few weeks ago and received it in a timely maner. You should be fine.

[Necromancer]

I'm sorry if some of you can't afford a $2000 Magical Chase.

I and surely many others here could easily afford to blow $10,000 (a.k.a. less than one meth batch) to amass an insta-collection.  The point is not personal affordability but rather the stupidity of the 'gotta have it now' collectors that will pay anything just to complete their 1337 retro-collection and be the envy of all their friends.

But I'm not going to condemn someone as "destroying the turbo market" if they pay that.

But they are destroying the market.  Every time some johnny-come-lately buys a game at whatever silly price it's being offered, they're artificially inflating the price, which probably makes them happy and 'proves' that their collection was a sound investment.  Bravo on your hollow victory - no doubt you (a collective you, not you specifically) will sleep soundly knowing the awesomeness and expense of your collection; no less certain is the fact that another impetuous clown will snap it up when the bauble inevitably loses it's gleam and it's time to sell.

Seriously, you want to play these games cheaply? You've got 3 options: a) Buy it on Wii VC, b) Buy a PC Engine version or c) play it on emulators.

Or d) learn patience and buy it at a more reasonable cost.  Many of my games came from eBay, yet I'd wager that I've spent half as much amassing my collection as what you've spent on yours.

But if I want to spend my hard earned money on something, then that's my deal and f*ck you for suggesting I'm ruining anything.

Why are you in this thread?  It's clearly for bitching about eBay price gouges, not talking about your unfounded troubles with a particular seller.  I'd say f*ck you, but clearly eBay has already done the deed, repeatedly.

[Sadler]

I and surely many others here could easily afford to blow $10,000 (a.k.a. less than one meth batch) to amass an insta-collection.  The point is not personal affordability but rather the stupidity of the 'gotta have it now' collectors that will pay anything just to complete their 1337 retro-collection and be the envy of all their friends.

I'll be honest with you: my friends don't give a shit. They played SNES and Genesis BITD and they play PS3 and 360 now. I don't collect turbo for my friends, this forum or anyone aside from myself.

But they are destroying the market.  Every time some johnny-come-lately buys a game at whatever silly price it's being offered, they're artificially inflating the price, which probably makes them happy and 'proves' that their collection was a sound investment.  Bravo on your hollow victory - no doubt you (a collective you, not you specifically) will sleep soundly knowing the awesomeness and expense of your collection; no less certain is the fact that another impetuous clown will snap it up when the bauble inevitably loses it's gleam and it's time to sell.

Sure, and if people would only pay $5 for a Stradivarius, they'd only be worth $5? Anyway, exactly how long do you think I've been playing TG? Around 20 years. How long do you think I've been collecting for? After selling off my initial collection in college, I started rebuilding in 2009. How many turbo games do you think I've sold in the past 10 years? None. Not one. I won't either, I've made that mistake before and I've regretted it since. I don't know why you are under the impression I'm a "johnny-come-lately". I'm not interested in an e-penis measuring contest, but I want you to understand I'm not some 15 year old that saw TG games on the Wii and decided he had to have all of them.

Or d) learn patience and buy it at a more reasonable cost.  Many of my games came from eBay, yet I'd wager that I've spent half as much amassing my collection as what you've spent on yours.

To be clear, most of my games haven't come from ebay. Again, congrats if you've gotten games cheaper. I don't doubt it. When did you start collecting? What games are you still missing? How long have you been looking for the games you are still missing? How much are you willing to pay for the games you still need?

Why are you in this thread?  It's clearly for bitching about eBay price gouges, not talking about your unfounded troubles with a particular seller.  I'd say f*ck you, but clearly eBay has already done the deed, repeatedly.

Why am I posting in a thread about ebay gouging alerting people to a potential scam artist? You can't figure that out? Was it unfounded? It appears to be, and I regret saying it. I won't apologize for trying to warn people about rip off artists though.

[JapanTokei]

Sadler - i dont see anything wrong with you warning us on this guy.  Nor the fact u decided to pick up dynastic for 600 - i had the same itch too.  Before this gets out of control i do think we should not curse each other off on this thread...  We are all drawn to this board and the games for diff reasons- i for one loves traveling bqck in time and reliving my childhood- i find it a great way to get away from the chaotic, cutthroat competite corp enviorment i live in every day.  I therefore know what u feel when a title youve been afte pops up and money becomes secondary, and time is more of a priority.  Been there done that.  Although the flip side is also super fun - the treasure hunting approqch.

Overall i think as long as we are all respectful to the board memebrs and share different perspectives, there is no harm.  From my 1.5 years since joining this board i find 97% of members are cool and each have unique personqlities that i enjoy and view as friends with.  Aside from witnessing Royvegas blantantly ripping off memebrs last year and selling implode all that, i think we all get along well great and thats what makes this community so tight and awesome imo.

Game on and lets be respectful to each other!!   I personally got am itch to get back into SMS and have my eyes on a sms system these days.   Lol.  There are ebay gorgin that too.  Graded golden axe warrior for 300...  Shiiiiit

[Sadler]

Well said JapanTokei. I apologize for being disrespectful, I edited my post to take that out. I meant what I said about liking most everyone on this board. That includes Necro! He's funny in chat and posts good stuff. Believe it or not, I even understand where he's coming. I freely admit that things like $80 Keith Courage games are stupid, and I don't have any respect for sellers like that. I think where we disagree is whether or not Dynastic Hero should go for $600.

Anyway, Necro, I'm sorry for being an a$$hole and taking it personally. I hope you accept my apology. I think I'll back out of this thread now, back to your regularly scheduled ebay bashing.

[JapanTokei]

Coolio, Sadler!  Im off to bed - baby duty has my body clock all fried up here its 4 am here in singapore.   Btw, if after you play dynastic and gets bored with it　, i will take it fro. You for 200..  Lol.  I just bought the jp version to appease my urge to splurge last month and my wifeys friend will be bringi g it to my house when she visits fro
 Japan i december.  I will beef up my japanese so i can get by dynastic with $10 instead then

[Necromancer]

Sure, and if people would only pay $5 for a Stradivarius, they'd only be worth $5?

And if Bomberman '93 is worth $166 and Dynastic Hero is worth $600, why have multiple copies of the former since sold for under $100 and a copy of the latter is currently available for $500?  You just paid the 'going rate', right?

Paying even more than the usual eBay gouge job is why I say that you're a part of the escalating price problem, but why do you care what I think?  It's not like I brought out the pitchforks and torches or questioned your sister's purity, and you don't even see high prices as a problem anyway.

I don't know why you are under the impression I'm a "johnny-come-lately".

It comes from your near total lack of patience coupled with your willingness to buy a title at seemingly any price once you've set your sights on it.  Plus this:

After selling off my initial collection in college, I started rebuilding in 2009. How many turbo games do you think I've sold in the past 10 years? None. Not one

Built your collection in under two years?  Sounds like a relative novice at Turbob collecting to me (your experience from twenty years ago is merely anecdotal, as it bears little on buying games today).

Why am I posting in a thread about ebay gouging alerting people to a potential scam artist? You can't figure that out? Was it unfounded? It appears to be, and I regret saying it. I won't apologize for trying to warn people about rip off artists though.

Stuff the indignant victim bull.  If you truly wanted to warn us of a perceived threat, don't bury it within a wholly unrelated thread.

[Sadler]

I guess I'll take that as "apology not accepted."