How often..

EpicvsDoomicvsDennicvsEpicvsDoomicvsDennicvs
in Collector's Corner
Do you go to yard sales and leave stuff where it is? Like for instance, an NES console missing all the hook-ups or maybe one that's just too yellowed and covered in (let's hope) crusty chocolate or how about Monopoly cart covered in greasy? Even if it's .50.

I've done it a lot since I've started collecting. Especially after it took me a really long time to sell an extra spare system that had everything and was in excellent shape.

I've done it, yet I feel bad now. Like I neglected a child just because it was ugly or useless....

Comments

  • VGS_captmorgandrinkerVGS_captmorgandrinker
    If it's covered in something disgusting, I'll leave it (unless it's something mega-rare, then I would buy it and take it apart with rubber gloves).



    If it's missing stuff, I'll still buy it if it's cheap enough. Same with common as hell carts (especially if they have minty backs).
  • Topload_DogboneTopload_Dogbone
    I do it a lot too, especially when it comes to bad shape carts. The reason though is because if I didn't I'd buy them, never be able to sell them, and then would feel bad throwing em out and be stuck with a pile of useless crap. This is why it's good to pass up junk.
  • BrontyBronty
    anything dirty I would never buy unless mega rare. probably explains why I rarely go to shops/fleas
  • xARSEFACExxARSEFACEx
    I rarely go to yard sales looking for video game stuff. Sure it's great to find some uncommon or rare items on the cheap, but I feel like it's offset by the extra work involved.



    I'm lazy, I'll just pay a little extra for it. image
  • EpicvsDoomicvsDennicvsEpicvsDoomicvsDennicvs
    Dirty isn't too much of a problem with me. I have an arsenal of PC Wipes, Goo Gone and other things for cleaning just about anything. I did pass up a console recently that looked like you could of literally scraped the nicotine residue off it though.



    I made an Antari 2600 that had over 20 years of dust build up on it and made it look like it just came out of the box.



    The reason I do leave a lot of stuff is often due to lack of cash and not wanting to be stuck with clutter. I think from now on though, I'm not going to pass up any consoles I find. I might buy them to paint and customize, as like one-of-a-kind art project things.
  • EpicvsDoomicvsDennicvsEpicvsDoomicvsDennicvs
    The thing with yard sales is that you just never know what you'll find. You just never know what somebody has in their basement.



    I remember a few years after SNES was released, I got a HUGE box filled with NES carts. Every class game you can think of and I only paid like $5 for it. It was like a dream come true at the time, because before that I didn't own many games. Funny this is, all of them were later sold by ME for dirt cheap and now I'm trying to replace them (almost there). This was before they were "retro" and hip and just looked at as obsolete and old technology. I often wonder what my collection would look like now if I started to collect a few years earlier than I did.



    Some weekends I come home with my hands full after stopping by just a few local sales within my town.
  • superNESmansuperNESman
    Oh man, I've bought great lots that were deals, but the carts were just disgusting, sometimes I had to clean hundreds and I got nauseous when I was done. It's plain filth, and yes I've left games before because of their filth. Whenever I buy dirty systems, though, I put them on ebay as an "as is" lot.
  • Mario's Right NutMario's Right Nut
    Originally posted by: xARSEFACEx

    I rarely go to yard sales looking for video game stuff. Sure it's great to find some uncommon or rare items on the cheap, but I feel like it's offset by the extra work involved.

    I'm lazy, I'll just pay a little extra for it. image



    Amen.
  • Maydogg6Maydogg6
    Originally posted by: Mario's Right Nut

    Originally posted by: xARSEFACEx

    I rarely go to yard sales looking for video game stuff. Sure it's great to find some uncommon or rare items on the cheap, but I feel like it's offset by the extra work involved.

    I'm lazy, I'll just pay a little extra for it. image



    Amen.

    I'm with you guys. Garage sales are far too hit and miss so I often just dont worry about them. Plus once you factor in gas unless you find something pretty rare, you really aren't saving much.

  • LimbofunkLimbofunk
    Wow, you guys are nuts.
  • smokinjoe24smokinjoe24
    Originally posted by: Limbofunk

    Wow, you guys are nuts.




    Gotta agree....just because people are having yard sales or set up at flea markets doesn't mean the item is nasty. You are missing out on tons of good things. However, if you are going strictly for video games, then a lot of times, you may come up enpty handed. My best resell item I ever found was at a a yard sale. I bought a lot of legos for $200 and some pewter figures for $1. Sold the figures for $170 and the legos for $2000.

    I do agree though that if it is super nasty, then I would leave it unless its rare. I passed up a NES this weekend for $3 because it was just super nasty only to buy one from the guy's dad for $5. Somethings will be covered in roaches and have roach eggs in them and I can't play with that crap.

  • ShipsteamShipsteam
    Dirty stuff doesn't bother me as I can make it look like new after some TLC. Most of the items I come across just need a good rub down with alcohol.
  • wrldstrmanwrldstrman
    Yard sales are a great place to run across stuff, but the downfall for me is.



    1. I live where you have to drive several hundred miles to hit the sales. meaning all the small towns are 20 to 30 miles apart from eachother and a lot of homes are spread out.



    2. usally around here anyway if your not one of the first people at the sale you will always here yeah i had a box of games but they sold.



    3. except for a boxed top loader i got for 2.00. over the past 6 years ive been to thousands and thousands of yard sales and never found anything really rare. so taking into account the money lost in gas i could of bought a ton of games.



    The pluses



    It is fun looking like a treasure hunt. you roll up to the sale and never know what you will find.



    As far as the thread title. I buy anything when i find games if they are to bad you can always toss them out later
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