Sega power strip story...

ifkz · 10/21/2015, 08:48 PM

Only a few hardcore Sega collectors know about the official Sega power strip released in 1994/1995. At the time Sega had three systems on the market (Genesis, Sega CD, and 32X) and, since there were three, the huge wall plugs could not fit in one outlet to properly power everything. So, Sega released this strip for a short time and then discontinued it and all three systems in favor of the Saturn in 1995.

Flash forward and a strip showed up at my favorite local mom & pop game store many years ago and I have been begging them for it, off-and-on, since then. Whether my offer was cash, or a trade, the answer was always: "We know what it is. It is a collectible. Sorry. Please stop asking." I finally managed to work a deal with them, but the real story is what the poor manager (I'll call him "Buddy") went through that night while considering my latest beg. "Buddy" is a good guy and this chain of stores is good; "But.." they get a lot of jerk customers. Anyone that has worked at retail can probably relate; all of these customers came in one after another in the course of just one evening. Here we go....

Problem customer #1, "Guy."
We've all had someone that shows up at our doorstep and wants to talk about religion. This one had the religious fever but wanted to spread the word about how "video games are evil" all at the counter of a used game store.
After displaying much patience "Buddy" finally says: Get F out of my store and don't come back, I've got no time for this.
"Guy" takes a pen from the counter...
"Buddy" yells across the store: I saw you take that pen. Either you bring it back to the counter or I will call the cops and press charges if you step outside of the store.
"Guy" says: Really?
"Buddy" says: You've got two choices.
"Guy" returns pen and slinks out of the store.

Problem customer #2 Gang Banger "GB"
"GB" comes into the store with an old receipt and says "Buddy" owes him a store credit.
"Buddy" looks at the receipt and sees the store credit part is ripped off.
"GB" looks nervous.
"Buddy" says: I know what you are trying to do. Don't do it.
"GB" agrees and knows better.

Problem customer #3 "Gal"
"Gal" works with a seasonal Halloween haunted house outfit. Like most, they all fold up after Halloween is over. "Gal" proceeds to start setting up a display stand in the store and puts some flyers on the counter.
"Buddy" says: What are you doing?
"Gal" says: Oh, this is no problem. I called and I have permission from the manager. We do this every year and give some great discounts to your employees too!
"Buddy" says: No you don't.
"Gal" says: What d'ya mean, I talked to the manager and he said it's all fine.
"Buddy" says: No you didn't.
"Gal" says: Yes I did!
"Buddy" says: Call them right now.
"Gal" says: Huh?
"Buddy" says: You are lying. Call them right now or get out of my store.
"Gal" looks caught in a lie because she is caught in a lie. "Gal" leaves.

Problem Customer #4, me.
Long story short, after decades of constant use, the power strip is powering half the store. It is also very inaccessible: near ceiling level, at least 10 ft above a pile of shelving parts and old handheld storage bags. We work out a deal for it and I think: there is no way this is all happening.
I run out of the store to make good on my end of the bargain and the owner of the chain walks in. I have been a customer of the chain since 1998 and the owner probably thinks I am a shoplifter or worse. In reality I am just a dedicated older game collector, not a re-seller or thief; over the years I have given them thousands of dollars for their products. But at this moment I think...no way is this going to go well. I run back an hour later with my trade and I actually leave the store with the strip. No trouble at all. I still can't believe it!

I am not crazy enough to use this. They said some of the outlets are broken, it is long past what I would consider safe to use on vintage $60-$100 consoles. I sort of want to open it up and see if any of the outlets can be bent back to functional, but then, what would that really get me? It is something that only I can appreciate and...it made for a good story.

Oh, and while I was writing this my fiancee looked over my shoulder and said "that website looks exactly like Hello Kitty, colors and everything." I have no comment.

wilykat · 10/21/2015, 10:47 PM

pics or it didnt happen ;)

EvilEvoIX · 10/21/2015, 11:20 PM

ifkz · 10/21/2015, 11:34 PM

You know, after writing this, thinking it all sounded too familiar, and googling I came across an old read: Gord and Gamer's Edge (http://www.actsofgord.com/). I sound a lot like one Gord's customers. Sigh. Maybe scratch ~~story~~ and make it just a good read.

xcrement5x · 10/22/2015, 12:41 AM

Nice find on the Sega Power strip, it is indeed quite a rarity, just like those stereo speakers you could buy.

ClodBusted · 10/22/2015, 02:40 AM

Quote from: ifkz on 10/21/2015, 08:48 PM. At the time Sega had three systems on the market (Genesis, Sega CD, and 32X) and, since there were three, .

NecroPhile · 10/22/2015, 10:19 AM

Amusing tale, thanks for sharing.

I'll never understand the shop owners that think they're running some sort of museum and don't want to sell teh rarez. If you want to keep it, take it the home and quit teasing your customers.

BigusSchmuck · 10/22/2015, 10:42 AM

Oddly enough, my buddy had one of these when I was a kid. I should ask him what became of it and his mighty tower of power?

BlueBMW · 10/23/2015, 09:55 PM

I think one of our crew at MGC has a few those those Sega strips that we put to use every year.

esteban · 12/27/2015, 12:22 AM

I have never heard of this item.

Apparently the Holy Grail of power strips.

Please tell me it doesn't look like a totally generic power strip.

grolt · 12/27/2015, 10:04 AM

Quote from: esteban on 12/27/2015, 12:22 AMI have never heard of this item.

Apparently the Holy Grail of power strips.

Please tell me it doesn't look like a totally generic power strip.

It's actually kind of awesome:

Even today it is rare to find a strip with such a low profile yet still able to take 6 large AC adapters. The SEGA letters are just a bonus.

Thanks for sharing the story, ifkz.

esteban · 12/27/2015, 01:27 PM

Quote from: grolt on 12/27/2015, 10:04 AM
Quote from: esteban on 12/27/2015, 12:22 AMI have never heard of this item.

Apparently the Holy Grail of power strips.

Please tell me it doesn't look like a totally generic power strip.
It's actually kind of awesome:

Even today it is rare to find a strip with such a low profile yet still able to take 6 large AC adapters. The SEGA letters are just a bonus.

Thanks for sharing the story, ifkz.

I would plug night lights in that strip and prop it on my desk as SEGA art.

ifkz · 12/27/2015, 01:51 PM

I keep it near my gaming setup; it is kind of a trophy in a way, dedicated to when I went to every game store and thrift in town trying to fill in the gaps in my Sega collection. I am glad the story was well received, I am a bit embarrassed that I spent so much time begging and bargaining to own this strip. Maybe next I can find an old Samsung GX gaming TV?

Bardoly · 12/27/2015, 03:38 PM

Nice story!

esadajr · 12/27/2015, 05:54 PM

itd be cool if someone reproed these, but with "Obey" instead of Sega

EvilEvoIX · 12/27/2015, 09:10 PM

I'd love one.

bartre · 12/28/2015, 05:39 AM

Quote from: esadajr on 12/27/2015, 05:54 PMitd be cool if someone reproed these, but with "Obey" instead of Sega

that's actually quite legit.
or hell, even just a regular power strip with "OBEY PCE" printed over the outlets