Is there a very cost-efficient way to get a basic PCE system, so-so condition?

[Samuray]

.

[ToyMachine78]

Ebay

Edit... Since reading more of this book of a post, I offer this....

If you are financially fucked at the moment, why the hell is buying game systems even a priority?

Family first. Fuck a PC Engine. Emulate.

[crazydean]

Ebay

I concur.

[Gypsy]

Just piss around with yamatoku auctions until you win one in your price range. That's what I did when I got my CDROM2. Given your situation, I'd settle for a really yellowed one if you have to.

But also...I mean...

Family first. Fuck a PC Engine. Emulate.

This. Odds are you have something on hand that can emulate PCE games.

[Samuray]

Ummmm.....uh.....did anyone.....read what I wrote? Or just the header? :-p

Please don't misunderstand....I'm grateful for the replies and will take a look at this Yamatoku. But I don't need emulation and I already have a system for myself....I want to gift this to my best friend who could really need a nice surprise. I'm well aware the timing leaves much to be desired on my part, yes.

[Medic_wheat]

Shoot me a PM. I HAVE A Core PCE white I can sell.


Keep in mind it's region free modded and RGB modded.

[NecroPhile]

Your best bet is if someone sells one here cheap (maybe medic to the rescue!), but the odds of that happening soon ain't great.  The only other option is lucking out on a cheap one from japan (yahoo auctions or whatever), but then you'll be paying a bunch in fees, or a low starting price ebay auction.

In other words, you're gonna need luck and/or lots of patience.  Sorry. 

[cueball1897]

Just piss around with yamatoku auctions

I agree. Most of the imports I own are from Yamatoku. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that they are so widely known considering the volume they deal with.

For a while I thought they were my secret resource, but I've sent a few people their way for PCE consoles. You should be able to pick one up in decent shape for around $40 USD. More than likely you'll have to pick up a power adapter and AV cable, both of which should be less than $10.

[Gypsy]

Yeah yamatoku is good. Fairly confident they don't shill.

If he manages to get a core grafx then he can just use Genny composite which he may have extras of lying around. When I bought a 2nd PCE system this year (to have one without region mod) I was able to get a white one with a tap for $50 including shipping BIN. No idea on current rates since I'm good to go so I have not been looking.

[csgx1]

If you are good at repairing stuff here's a broken one that's cheap...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/232191168688

[cueball1897]

Yeah yamatoku is good. Fairly confident they don't shill.

 No idea on current rates since I'm good to go so I have not been looking.

The Core Grafx goes for around the $70-80 range I'd say. I pieced together a briefcase over the last 6 months and I'm waiting on a DUO from Yamatoku as well. It had a few white scuff marks on, but it's in working condition. I was thinking of doing the RGB mod on the IFU-30 first, but if I since I should recap the DUO anyway I might start there.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

Yeah yamatoku is good. Fairly confident they don't shill.

If he manages to get a core grafx then he can just use Genny composite which he may have extras of lying around. When I bought a 2nd PCE system this year (to have one without region mod) I was able to get a white one with a tap for $50 including shipping BIN. No idea on current rates since I'm good to go so I have not been looking.

Nah they shill for sure, but not all the time. Just look at some of the people you are bidding against, many 100% bidding history with only Yamatoku classic and lots of bid retractions. Hell one person bidded on 1247 items 100% bidding history with him with like a low feedback, im like damn son.

Another had 100% bidding history of like 90 items 2 feedback and like 80 bid retractions in the past 6 months.

I've also seen the same high ticket items relisted again (which is a red flag as he uses real pictures) or just weird ass bidding increments like someone is fishing for what price you have.

In any case, if you don't believe me just read on here.

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/ebay-hall-of-shame.30469/page-83

[PukeSter]

Japan has been sucked dry over the past 5 years. Forget Yahoo Auctions, eBay is the best bet.

You're not going to find anything cheap unless you wait a long time and snipe an auction.

Not many people use the white PC engine. It's RF only and most consoles have yellowed by now. Possible to fix but ugly to present as a gift.

But the big thing is, why hasnt your friend just bought one by now? As a poster above said, the coregrafx complete is about $70, little more than a new PS4 game.

You'll also need to gift a game or two to go with that console. Probably your own to save money.

But honestly if the timing isn't great, just don't bother. Christmas already passed and you gotta put your own family first. Save every dollar.

[Gypsy]

Yeah yamatoku is good. Fairly confident they don't shill.

If he manages to get a core grafx then he can just use Genny composite which he may have extras of lying around. When I bought a 2nd PCE system this year (to have one without region mod) I was able to get a white one with a tap for $50 including shipping BIN. No idea on current rates since I'm good to go so I have not been looking.

Nah they shill for sure, but not all the time. Just look at some of the people you are bidding against, many 100% bidding history with only Yamatoku classic and lots of bid retractions. Hell one person bidded on 1247 items 100% bidding history with him with like a low feedback, im like damn son.

Another had 100% bidding history of like 90 items 2 feedback and like 80 bid retractions in the past 6 months.

I've also seen the same high ticket items relisted again (which is a red flag as he uses real pictures) or just weird ass bidding increments like someone is fishing for what price you have.

In any case, if you don't believe me just read on here.

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/ebay-hall-of-shame.30469/page-83

I figure you'd have no reason to lie about such a thing. I clicked the thread anyway though, because I'm intrigued.

Oh and thanks for the heads up.

Japan has been sucked dry over the past 5 years. Forget Yahoo Auctions, eBay is the best bet.

You're not going to find anything cheap unless you wait a long time and snipe an auction.

Not many people use the white PC engine. It's RF only and most consoles have yellowed by now. Possible to fix but ugly to present as a gift.

But the big thing is, why hasnt your friend just bought one by now? As a poster above said, the coregrafx complete is about $70, little more than a new PS4 game.

You'll also need to gift a game or two to go with that console. Probably your own to save money.

But honestly if the timing isn't great, just don't bother. Christmas already passed and you gotta put your own family first. Save every dollar.

Yeah a friend of mine was visiting again recently, he said getting games over there isn't remotely close to what it used to be.

[goldenband]

It was yamatoku-classic that sent me a Tennokoe 2...complete with batteries that had to have exploded at least a decade before the sale. The battery compartment was badly damaged, and I suspect the unit itself needs repair as there's a burn mark on the PCB at the power input.

Would it have killed them to open the battery compartment before selling it? Or maybe they did, and figured "UNTESTED" could mean "TOTALLY AND OBVIOUSLY HOSED BUT SCREW YOU LOL". At least I got a full refund.

[Gypsy]

I am weary of "untested" listings and even moreso when it's from a seller that sells fully tested similar items.

[jperryss]

I am weary of "untested" listings and even moreso when it's from a seller that sells fully tested similar items.

Agreed. I always assume untested = not working.

[TheClash603]

I am weary of "untested" listings and even moreso when it's from a seller that sells fully tested similar items.

Agreed. I always assume untested = not working.

I always bid on untested stuff from people who's seller history doesn't show video games, these are the people selling their son's console from 20 years ago.  I've only been burnt once on an untested auction, but have done well quite a few times.  I will admit, most untested and as-is items I buy are games, which have less chance for failure.

[cueball1897]

It was yamatoku-classic that sent me a Tennokoe 2...complete with batteries that had to have exploded at least a decade before the sale. The battery compartment was badly damaged, and I suspect the unit itself needs repair as there's a burn mark on the PCB at the power input.

Would it have killed them to open the battery compartment before selling it? Or maybe they did, and figured "UNTESTED" could mean "TOTALLY AND OBVIOUSLY HOSED BUT SCREW YOU LOL". At least I got a full refund.

They even make a big deal about how they can't ship batteries internationally.

[Gypsy]

I am weary of "untested" listings and even moreso when it's from a seller that sells fully tested similar items.

Agreed. I always assume untested = not working.

I always bid on untested stuff from people who's seller history doesn't show video games, these are the people selling their son's console from 20 years ago.  I've only been burnt once on an untested auction, but have done well quite a few times.  I will admit, most untested and as-is items I buy are games, which have less chance for failure.

Right. I'll take chances on what I feel is legitimately untested stuff as well.