bloatedmonkey

Didn't expect to see this so soon.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=1373016659

Well, I must say I was impressed. I was using this event more as an excuse to take my wife to Vegas, but in the end I think she enjoyed the event almost as much as me. Most of the talks were really informative. I didn't waste time fighting over some of the games for sale, because when do you get a chance to meet legends? I didn't even have time to meet many collectors, because I just wanted to take it all in. At the Dig Dug drop, I witness the best and the worst of collectors. It was poorly planned from the beginning, as only a few people actually got their hands on the games, and they got to open dozens, while the rest could only watch (either it should have been limited to one box each, or they needed a bigger net). But I did see some guy in the center tossing games out to the masses in the back - kudos, dude!. But I also saw a girl on the sidelines opening a stack of about 10 games (as we were told not to do), then after finding a pink slip in the 2nd or 3rd, proceeded to open the rest (also against the rules). But all in all, more than I anticipated and a blast!

Just look for my monkey (at left)!

I posted this on the 2600 forum, but then the thread died. So I'll try here.... I don't want to bring too much stuff, so I'm bringing just a few rares, including: Chuckwagon, Waterworld, Gravitar (silver)/i, Crazy Climber/i, Rubiks/i, Guardian, Dukes, Texas CM, Music Machine, Miner II/i, QBErt Qubes, Atlantis II (a real one), plus a few more. I also have a Combat cartridge that is labled "Game Lab", which has a chip with dimples - I need some help figuring out if it's anything special. If you see something you like, my collection list is at bloatedmonkey.com. We can set up a trade beforehand if you'd like. By the way, I plan on winning big at Blackjack and buying every game at the show. Just letting you all know, so you don't get your hopes up.

Hmmmm. I need to remember to pack some pepper spray.

I don't want to bring too much stuff, so I'm bringing just a few rares, including: Chuckwagon, Waterworld, Gravitar (silver), Crazy Climber, Rubiks, Guardian, Dukes, Texas CM, Music Machine, Miner II, QBErt Qubes, and Atlantis II (a real one). I also have a Combat cartridge that is labled "Game Lab", which has a chip with dimples - I need some help figuring out if it's something special. If you see something you like, my collection list is at bloatedmonkey.com. We can set up a trade beforehand if you'd like. By the way, I plan on winning big at Blackjack and buying every game at the show. Just letting you all know, so you don't get your hopes up.

I'm just curious if the annoying form letter responses to every question to customer service will continue under Ebay. I've always gotten personalized responses from Ebay.

That's a matter of opinion. I looked at it often during it's first 6 months of operation. What I saw was hundreds of games with high opening bids, and nothing being bid on. It was a waste of time. The fees are essential to making sure that sellers put items up for sale at a reasonable price. That's why I stopped looking there.

Yahoo Auctions was (and still is?) totally free, and it pretty much sucked. I think Ebay really has to screw up to lose it's market share. From what I've seen, it's a very well run business.

Thanks! ...though I think "well respected" is probably a stretch!

Are you going to be selling these on your own, at the AtariAge table, or elsewhere?

Actually, I was not intending to fight this through small claims court. I've been told that is more for disagreements, rather than fraud, and I agree it's difficult to collect across state lines in those cases. This would be more involved (and expensive) and deal with the Federal Deceptive Trade Practices Act. My understanding is that punitive damages can be collected in addition to actual damages, so it's a little more serious. But like I said, we've hopefully avoided that with a settlement.

It's interesting that you mention a $700 offer, since he seems to have sold them all on the AtariAge site in two lots for $675. I wonder if anyone else got scammed. I've struck a deal with him for reparations, so I'm waiting for a check. I'll let you all know the rest of the story if and when it's over.

Even if the emulators are free, the games generally aren't. As this gets more prevalent, I'd expect to start hearing about lawsuits. So don't get mad. They'll get theirs.

I got the same comment from my wife when I was looking at the stack of boxed Tigervision games in my garage and wondering if I should keep the boxes. As for label variations, I only keep a few. I've decided to limit my collection to 1000 games, all to be displayed in my upcoming "Atari Wall". Lots of labels would double the number of games I would need and take up too much space.

I've always used fortunecity.com for free space. They also have a one-banner rule (no pop-ups last I checked). I can appreciate the author's anger, even if misplaced - I know my blood pressure rises whenever I see a pop-up!

Dude, that's freakin' brilliant. I was planning on just using a box. I will sleep much easier now.

This place is better than America's Most Wanted! Thanks to AA viewers, the missing games have been found. The saga will continue at http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.p...p=113204#113204

You can stop the search. THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED! Just one day after he ended this auction, this appeared on no other than AtariAge: http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11101 I have emailed him my intentions to pursue legal action. Now that I know he visits this site, I will be limiting my posts. Thanks to those who emailed me to help me piece this together.

I am not looking for heresay from another buyer. I'm looking for email evidence that he tried to sell the games by themselves while selling the lot to me. In fact, I'm betting that someone out there has paid for the items and thus has more than an email to back me up. I doubt that he intentionally bundled rare games in this lot, rather he realized they were rare after people started emailing him. I'm sure my offer was one of many. Unfortunately, he seems to accepted more than one. Finally, I believe these particular rare games do tend to appear together for a reason - are they not from the Atari Club?

I apologize for posting this here, but I know some of you don't read the other forums. I need to know if anyone conversed with the seller of the recent large Ebay auction lot that contained Quadrun, Crazy Climber, and Waterworld. I need to verify that he indeed had the 3 games so that I will more easily be able to show fraud in court. The whole story is here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.p...p=113204#113204 Thanks.

Al, just noticed you've proclaimed yourself "Master Monkey". I'll have you know that this monkey bows to nobody! In fact, I'm marking my territory now, the old fashion way! Here's the response I got from this guy when I told him that I didn't get a "tremendous deal" as he had written me. I think your wrong in that area. You are getting all those games plus all of the systems and accessories are in there original boxes. The boxes are worn like i had written in my auction but they are pesent. I also threw in those nintendo accessories that are also in there boxes so don't tell me yor not getting a good deal. It seems to me that i'm the one that is screwed by selling for so little. Me thinks this will be fun :wink: [/i]

I'd be interested to hear what you find. I would have thought that suing across state lines is difficult, but I'm just a dumb engineer. I will be consulting my own lawyer if I don't hear anything positive soon. I think this discussion is valuable for all, and I'd be willing to write a "What to do when..." article if it goes the distance. I plan on fighting this as long as necessary. It's not as much about the money, as that I just don't like being lied to.

Thanks for the advice. I know doing business outside of Ebay is risky. I took that risk into account with my offer, but now that it's soured, it's time for action. If it was fraud from the beginning, then it was a very good one because the listing was quite subtle. I think it's more likely that he accepted an offer from someone. I have enough evidence to show that he knowingly sent me less than I paid for (if you're going to defraud someone, don't write them to let them know), but if I could show that he sold the 3 games to someone else, then it would be more likely considered criminal. It's a big difference to me.

I paid by money order, so there's no help there. By the way, I knew I was taking a risk with this guy, so I'm not crying. I just need to know if this is outright fraud or if he really made a mistake, because I plan to pursue this on principle. That's why I'm asking if the other buyer can contact me if he exists. I'd be happy to hear any thoughts on my options....