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

[esteban]

I

[BlueBMW]

Just for a reference... I traded a boxed mint Soldier Blade for a favor.  No money, no stuff, just a favor from a friend.  He would have done it anyways but he kind of wanted the Soldier Blade so guess what, he got it free.  Could it have been sold for bank money?  Sure, but now its being played while its box gets admired by a gamer who cares

Just a little aside there guys.. continue please!

[CrackTiger]

Just becasue you don't value the item, or the box for that matter any more than some number you have in your head, dosn't mean I over payed. Sure, I payed a lot for an uncommon luxury item but then you could say anyone who's ever shelled out for any luxury item is stupid and impatient. I've seen a boxed Soldier blade appear on ebay exactly twice in the last 3 years. That's partly because I'm on Canadian ebay so I have access to a lot less of the stuff than an American would. Anyways, you do yourself a disservice writing me off as an impatient idiot. I'm always looking for the mythical reasonably priced TG16 games, but I'm not going to wait for ever. Hate to break it to you but this pricing bubble is not going to burst. Its a simple supply/demand scenario. What is a better indicator of an objects value than a 99 cent auction? Oh, right...the price in your head lol

While recently picking up some of the last few TG-16 HuCards I don't have, I was surprised at times by the limited results on eBay.ca. So I did what I've done in the past, made a couple key strokes to change the "ca" in the url to "com" and opened up much more listings. I also checkout European eBays when looking for something I haven't found elsewhere. For all those U.S. listing that only ship domestically, I send them a message asking if they'd consider shipping to Canada. Unless they're the type who specifically puts in their descriptions "don't even ask, we don't ship to Canada or internationally", the answer is pretty much always yes. But even when I've been motivated to ask those who do specifically say "no shipping to Canada!", they still often say yes.

The problem is that too many people don't know how to search very well. Almost every time I see someone complaining on a forum about how expensive or impossible to find Turbo/PCE games are, I go to eBay and find them available, a fraction of the price a poster was complaining about or both.

[CrackTiger]

You wanna see expensive cardboard?

http://item.ebay.com/290690633965

Without DK Jr Math, probably would've sold for a couple hundred.

So far every game you've shown to prove your point people pay dumbass prices for cardboard are old NES games when every kid including myself tossed the box. So the few that did survive are rare. But TG16 boxes aren't rare to me. In fact I gave my Shockman cardboard to my kid to cut up for a collage. I didn't care I know I could have made a $100 off it but to me its just cardboard.

They also have not been posted along with a recent listing which sold at a fraction of the high priced examples.

The whole point people have been making all along and the point of this thread, isn't simply "some people ask too much" or "no games sell for much". The point is that the TurboGrafx-16 market in particular is artificially inflated by price manipulators like KingOfGames who jump in to stop game fans from getting games, only to hold them for ransom until someone eventually bites.

This isn't a reaction to a recent event, we've watched games steadily rise and lower in price slowly for years, then jump to 10+ times the asking price in a very short period of time after a few assholes attempt to control the market.

Showing even worse inflated game prices or successfully flipping a game like Soldier Blade for big bucks doesn't prove us wrong, it only proves us right.

[Arkhan Asylum]

PLAY PCE OR GET THE FUCK OUT.

What stopped me from using US ebay in the past has been international shipping restrictions. A lot of the nice turbo autions and especially quick catch bins are only open to continental US states excluding Hawaii and Alaska. I've recently found a great package forwarder but there's still a surcharge to consider.

PCE intimidates and is alien to me. Never got into emulators or wiiware and I still play on my original 23 year old console with one I found on clearence for $20 in the mid nineties on hand for back up. I'm having fun slowly finding the 50 or so US HuCards I want to replay or experience for the first time in my library (TV sports and the like, no thank you). I have no experience with the CD stuff never owning one or knowing anyone with one and thus never playing one. The cost of entry has always been high and so I have to admit I've never played it. I really want to, but I'm a patient man and there's a lot of other great game systems that need to be played also.

Necro, sorry for derailing your thread.

where do you live?  Canada?  Are you KingOfGames' buddy or something?

You have the fucking internet dude, if you are scared by PCE, I feel sorry for you.  I figured out Japanese consoles when I was still in high school.  It's not that hard.

All the greatest games are on PCE.

[xcrement5x]

Just came across this auction this morning, looks like it started at 99c but has a reserve.
*90* TURBO GRAFX-16 HU-CARD GAMES!!! NO COPYS!!! LARGEST COLLECTION ON EBAY!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/itm/200749615723

I'm not sure if this is gouging, but it'll be interesting to see what this lot finishes at...

[MotherGunner]

Funny this constant "bubble will never burst" is ignorant..at best.  EVERY pricing bubble bursts at some point,

Speaking of which, I'm glad to see Chu Man Fu coming back down to earth!  It was getting rediculous...Now the next expensive thing will be whatever Bucci reviews next!  =)

[KingofGames]

You wanna see expensive cardboard?

http://item.ebay.com/290690633965

Without DK Jr Math, probably would've sold for a couple hundred.

So far every game you've shown to prove your point people pay dumbass prices for cardboard are old NES games when every kid including myself tossed the box. So the few that did survive are rare. But TG16 boxes aren't rare to me. In fact I gave my Shockman cardboard to my kid to cut up for a collage. I didn't care I know I could have made a $100 off it but to me its just cardboard.

My point is that the Turbo Grafx isn't privy to the same price gouging that the NES is subject to. There are few games that eclipse $100. There is only one game that tops $1000. In the grand scheme of things, the Turbo is barely affected by resellers. There are TONS of fantastic games that are dirt cheap (Blazing Lazers, Ninja Spirit, Neutopia, Bloody Wolf, Crush series, Military Madness, Bonk series). You guys keep talking about gamers, gamers, gamers, but your examples resort to the very few collectible games on the system. Why get up in arms over the price of cardboard when you can buy the HUcards (is that better?) for a fraction of the cost?

[Arkhan Asylum]

Every game on the Turbob is good.  They are all worth owning.

Soldier Blade is no exception to the rule.

Some of the rare NES games aren't worth two fucks in a barrel.

[jlued686]

Every game on the Turbob is good.  They are all worth owning.

C'mon, man. I think you're great and all, but...Night Creatures?

[KingofGames]

There are NES collectors who feel the same way. Hell, I'm sure there are CD-i collectors who feel every game is worth experiencing. At the end of the day, experiencing the Turbo Grafx is not a very expensive endeavor outside of Magical Chase, especially compared to other classic systems. Now if you're talking about boxed games, you're heading into collector territory. I listed that copy of Soldier Blade at $.99. It hit $200 within an hour or so. If I listed the same game without the cardboard, it might not even top $100. As a HUcard, it would probably hit $60.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Night Creatures is the bottom of the barrel basically and its still not THAT bad.

It plays like any other jankass platformer made by white dudes


also, the music is creepy.  It does a good job of being spooky game music.

[VestCunt]

My point is that the Turbo Grafx isn't privy to the same price gouging that the NES is subject to. There are few games that eclipse $100. There is only one game that tops $1000. In the grand scheme of things, the Turbo is barely affected by resellers. There are TONS of fantastic games that are dirt cheap (Blazing Lazers, Ninja Spirit, Neutopia, Bloody Wolf, Crush series, Military Madness, Bonk series). You guys keep talking about gamers, gamers, gamers, but your examples resort to the very few collectible games on the system. Why get up in arms over the price of cardboard when you can buy the HUcards (is that better?) for a fraction of the cost?

Dude. Eat shit.  Don't tell a bunch of people who've been playing Turbografx for 20 years that the artificially-inflated prices for our games and your price gouging in particular aren't that bad because something else is worse. And don't do it in the goddamn gouging thread. If you want to go sit in front of your computer and imagine that you're not contributing to the pussification of America by reselling crap on ebay, fine, but stay on ebay and stop trying to be our friends.  The problem with you free market ebay parasites is that you're not even self sufficient: you need Racketboy to tell you about the systems you missed and you need us to hook you up with good deals, sidestep ebay fees, tell you how much games are worth, how they were originally packaged, and all of the other stuff that you're too dumb to figure out.

[KingofGames]

I've been familiar with the Turbo Grafx for over 10 years. I just found out about this site a few months ago. I work a regular 40 hour, 5 day work week. I browse Ebay here and there for solid deals. I comb through the local swap meet and thrift stores occassionally looking for solid deals. I don't need anyone to tell me what's worth picking up. Can you explain how I price gouged with a $.99 auction?

[jlued686]

[CrackTiger]

Every game on the Turbob is good.  They are all worth owning.

C'mon, man. I think you're great and all, but...Night Creatures?

Night Creatures plays like many legendary NES classics which are severely flawed, yet worshipped to this day. It's very satisfying to beat it. Falcon isn't much fun though.

[KingofGames]

You say that as if the praise isnt deserved. The NES is home to many of the best franchises that are still around to this day. Where would we be as gamers without Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Ninja Gaiden, Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, Mega Man, Metal Gear, Kirby, Donkey Kong, and so many others. I respect the TG-16, but let's be serious. Without Nintendo, we wouldn't be here discussing the TG-16.

[OrangeArmy]

where do you live?  Canada?  Are you KingOfGames' buddy or something?

You have the fucking internet dude, if you are scared by PCE, I feel sorry for you.  I figured out Japanese consoles when I was still in high school.  It's not that hard.

All the greatest games are on PCE.

Canada yes. I'm not KingofGames buddy but I didn't get the feeling he's was a POS reseller. He seems like an alright guy from the posts I've read.

As for finding the PCE scene intimidating, what can I say? I'm just being honest. Don't feel sorry for me. I have a back log of great games accross multiple systems to keep me going for years. I would LOVE to try Panzer Dragoon, but I'm not about to pick up a Saturn just to play it and like I said earlier - I have no interest in emulators. Right now I'm all about getting those last few HuCards I've been wanting forever (to play on my original hardware) and maybe after that I'll look at getting a duo to further expand my horizons into the CD realm.

Since this is the price gouging thread, and to show i'm not completely clueless, I just want to say fuck that 4 mil poly bag guy and his $900 Ys and his $179.00 incomplete Cadash. I hope he gets his face raped with a graded, 4 mil poly wrapped brick.

[Arkhan Asylum]

You say that as if the praise isnt deserved. The NES is home to many of the best franchises that are still around to this day. Where would we be as gamers without Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Ninja Gaiden, Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, Mega Man, Metal Gear, Kirby, Donkey Kong, and so many others. I respect the TG-16, but let's be serious. Without Nintendo, we wouldn't be here discussing the TG-16.

You don't read well, do you.  We're talking about NIGHT CREATURES, and games that play like it.    Does Megaman look like Night Creatures?  If you say yes, I suggest you buy glasses.

and, we'd probably be discussing TG-16 anyway.  Hudson was doing BeeCards for MSX before NES

[PikachuWarrior]

I get you two hate each other on many levels. Just set each other to "ignore" and be done with the back and forth!

[KingofGames]

Which legendary NES classics play like Night Creatures?

[NecroPhile]

I

Leave it to este to give a brilliantly concise comment.  Cook approves! 

Can you explain how I price gouged with a $.99 auction?

Care to explain how a $400 BIN isn't a gouge?  Didn't think so.

Which legendary NES classics play like Night Creatures?

Get on topic or get out of my thread, you twat.

You're clearly looking out for you and you alone and don't give a tin shit about this community, but guess what?  That's okay.  You don't have to like us and we don't have to like you.

[KingofGames]

The item was relisted at $.99. It's going to sell for a ridiculous amount because it's a sought after item, plain and simple.

[PunkCryborg]

I like how kingsley posted his response to my original gouging call out only like an hour later. Almost like he knew he was going to get a post in our thread here as soon as he posted the ebay listing.

[KingofGames]

I was going to post a link to the listing to see if anyone wanted to shoot an offer over. I listed the other games from the lot here. I was not expecting $400, and I would have gladly accepted a solid offer outside of Ebay. In fact, I worked out a deal for my NES games on NintendoAge. I'm not looking to squeeze anyone dry, but I also don't mind making money on my hobby.

[OldMan]

Please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_auction

While not exactly the same rules, many auctions are in fact percieved in this manner.
(also google 'auction fever' - I like this explanation http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/ebay/auction-fever.htm).
...
And can someone tell me why "fair market price" is supposedly what the top 5% of people are willing to pay?
(Statistically, those are the people who will 'win' an auction.)

 From what I recall of my statistics classes, 'fair market price' should be approximately $5 for something that is 'won' at auction for $100.

[ ie, 95% of people would pay 0$ + 5% of people would pay $100 => $0*95% + $100*5% => $500 = 100%. So the 'average person' would pay $5. But my statistics classes were a long time ago.]

Just because someone -will- pay a price doesn't automatically make it a fair price; it means someone is getting screwed.
Just my 2 cents....

[Arkhan Asylum]

I get you two hate each other on many levels. Just set each other to "ignore" and be done with the back and forth!

Ignore is for pussies.

and, this isn't a hobby you make money off of. 

[KingofGames]

Sure it is. The games aren't free. Someone is always making money.

[KingofGames]

Just because someone -will- pay a price doesn't automatically make it a fair price; it means someone is getting screwed.
Just my 2 cents....

If I was selling a commodity that was a necessity, I would agree with this statement. However, I am not selling water, food, shelter, clothing, or anything of the sort. I am selling a luxury collectible. No one is forced to bid on or purchase anything I sell.

I'm curious to know what others would have done with this item. What would the price have been? How would you have determined who deserved to own the game?

[VestCunt]

I am selling a luxury collectible.

[Arkhan Asylum]

I'm curious to know what others would have done with this item. What would the price have been? How would you have determined who deserved to own the game?

If I had a spare, it would be posted here on this forum so it goes to someone legit.  I probably would have traded it off. 

That being said, I would have priced it sanely. I don't care if its worth 300$ on ebay or some shit.  It goes for whatever the Japanese one goes for, plus ~10$ for the box

so whats that, like 40$ or some shit?

[SMF]

I'm curious to know what others would have done with this item. What would the price have been? How would you have determined who deserved to own the game?[/quote]
See this is where the majority of us and you differ, I have no problem raffling off my games for free or even sell them to someone on this forum. Reason being I know most forum members will enjoy the game and play the fuck out of it. They ain't gonna set it on the self and tell everyone look at it. I dnt play it I just like looking at it. With that said the last thing I gave way was a Shockman Huey. Yea for free. I could have made $50 or alittle bit more off it but I know the person that won the raffle will enjoy it

[nectarsis]

Funny these people STILL trying any roundabout way to rationalize their asshattery.    There are multiple people on this very forum that always sell at GREAT prices (Yes even the OMGZ RARES) you twats just can't seem to ever find/overpay for. 

It's REALLY simple...you want to get Ebay prices...go to Ebay, but you will NEVER sell stuff on here at the same prices (unless you sucker someone new...have a TRULY rare item).

[hoobs88]

I'm curious to know what others would have done with this item. What would the price have been? How would you have determined who deserved to own the game?

See this is where the majority of us and you differ, I have no problem raffling off my games for free or even sell them to someone on this forum. Reason being I know most forum members will enjoy the game and play the fuck out of it. They ain't gonna set it on the self and tell everyone look at it. I dnt play it I just like looking at it. With that said the last thing I gave way was a Shockman Huey. Yea for free. I could have made $50 or alittle bit more off it but I know the person that won the raffle will enjoy it[/quote]
I had a spare Soldier Blade that I sold for about $20 last year.

[OldMan]

I'm curious to know what others would have done with this item.

I would have (and have) passed it on at no cost to someone who wanted it to play.
On a first-come, first-served basis.

If I was selling a commodity that was a necessity, I would agree with this statement. However, I am not selling water, food, shelter, clothing, or anything of the sort. I am selling a luxury collectible. No one is forced to bid on or purchase anything I sell.

We will agree to disagree here.
I do not view games as a "luxury collectable". I view them as entertainment. I think that is where the problem is.

But,  by your logic, it would be okay for Cable T.V. companies to auction off the rights to view premium entertainment. Or for your local gas station to auction off gasoline. (Hey, it's -not- a necessity)

[esteban]

I

Leave it to este to give a brilliantly concise comment.  Cook approves! 

  I was genuinely at a loss for words.

[Mathius]

A swimming pool is a luxury. A sports car is a luxury. An expensive hooker is a luxury. Turbo is fucking awesome, but not a luxury.

[dq333]

A swimming pool is a luxury. A sports car is a luxury. An expensive hooker is a luxury. Turbo is fucking awesome, but not a luxury.

Ha playing Turbo while IN all of those is a luxury. LMAO

[kamiboy]

Look what an interesting specimen I found on Yahoo.co.jp today:

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u40686469

Does not this repro sell new for 60 currently?

[Arkhan Asylum]

That repro should be free.

It's a fucking hack of an NES game.  There's an entire thread about it here.

if anything it should be like, 10$ tops, to cover the cost of the case/art.  the disc itself should be f f f f f f freeeeeee

[kamiboy]

Could 10 really cover the costs of the time put in to designing the cover, manual, printing the disc etc.

Anywaste, whatever it costs it is a pretty sleek production. Kudos to whoever put it together along with the two other repros.

Repro quality has been on the rise as of late. Lately what seems like pretty well made SNES repro boxes have been showing up for sale. Pretty soon buying expensive mint copies of games might come with surprises in store.

I wonder what Japanese bidders think about that Rockman PCE item suddenly showing up for sale. If you are not in the know it is likely to blow a few minds.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Tom made the rockman hack as a freely distributed ISO on the internet.

Some other chowder dick saw it and decided to go captain moneybags with it.

Considering I could do that packaging art in under an hour with photoshop, and I am not a graphic person at all, I think 10$ is sufficient.   It's all photoshopped art.  It's not like the person drew it all.   It's pre-existing art, cutely cropped up into the packaging

[kamiboy]

This is the same guy that made that Sapphire repro that I've seen raffled a few times here, right?

I think I've seen his Sapphire repros on Yahoo.co.jp as well, selling for very lofty sums.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Yeah.  He's charging stupid-retarded amounts for these things.

The sapphires are at least pressed.

Were the Rockman ones?  Or are they just high quality CD-Rs that amount to 50 cents each.

[kamiboy]

A few searches for Rockman PCE netted me his site. I believe all three of his repros are pressed discs.

Looking at the pictures it seems he did at least put some time and effort into making the manual, cover and posters.

Edit:

Looking at the Sapphire one is pretty tempting. Is that one of those game that is famous more because it is rare or is it actually genuinely good?

Arcade shooters are not my favourite genre, so I don't play many of them but I do make an effort to play the really good ones. I liked Blazing lazers at least, and I've always had a love/hate relationship with the R-Type series.

Is Sapphire worth that price?

[kamiboy]

What is going on with double posts showing up as quotes of a post I was editing? Can I delete those?

Anyhow, ever since I was a kid I've had an aversion towards loose copies of games. Those copies being raffled on here, are they loose or complete?

[Arkhan Asylum]

Sapphire is a great game.  The graphics, music, and gameplay are all really well done.

The main reason it has such a high price is because of its rarity.  It can't be helped with that game really.

You can get a free bootleg of it from someone here probably.  A bunch of loose discs are floating around.

[NecroPhile]

Just because someone -will- pay a price doesn't automatically make it a fair price; it means someone is getting screwed.
Just my 2 cents....

Amen, good sir.  Plus, why do these jackballs insist that the highest price they can find determines what a game is worth, completely ignoring any and all lower priced sales?

A few searches for Rockman PCE netted me his site. I believe all three of his repros are pressed discs.

Only Sapphire is pressed - Rockman and Space Fantasy Zone are CDRs.

Is Sapphire worth that price?

No game is really worth hundreds of dollars in terms of gameplay value (except maybe Gotzendiener), so you have to determine if the price is worth it to own a legitimately less common and highly sought after title.  It's an excellent shmup, but there are even better (and cheaper) ones on the PCE.

[kamiboy]

I only very rarely pay over 100 for games and only when I know I will love it, so a genuine copy of Sapphire is out of the question. I was mainly referring to the repro price. I am going to try my luck with the raffle, if that does not work out I may get that repro if no other game is vying for the funds.

[NecroPhile]

I only very rarely pay over 100 for games and only when I know I will love it, so a genuine copy of Sapphire is out of the question. I was mainly referring to the repro price.

That's really not all that bad - complete copy for $65 shipped or loose disc for $13 shipped.  If you do get a loose one (purchased or raffled), you can always print your own inserts or see if Sparky has any left.