Factory Sealed? I'm suspicious...

[Jeff-20]

A boxed "new" colecovision sold for a lot of money a few weeks ago. Now many more "factory sealed" systems of various models have started showing up on ebay. I find it highly unlikely that such a sudden rush of NIB consoles would show up. I suspect people are just glueing completed systems shut. A complete console may sell for $100; a system listed as "factory sealed" could go for seven times that or more.
Do you think there is a way for someone to prove that an item such as this has been faked? A test for new glue?

Examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... &rd=1&rd=1

http://video-games.search.ebay.com/seal ... catZQ2d100

http://cgi.ebay.com/Turbo-Duo-Brand-New ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEGA-GENESIS-CORE-G ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Master-System- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ATARI-5200-GAME-SYS ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/1981-Mattel-Intelli ... dZViewItem

[vic user]

i only looked at the pics very quickly, but the sega genesis one seems like it has been opened before.

i would assume that one should be able to be able to notice any creasing in the cardboard along the flaps?

still, the money spent for these things, IMO, is crazy, but i guess if you are in a much higher income bracket than me, that amount of money doesn't seem like much

[PaulQ]

In the case of the Atari 5200, I would have expected 20 year old copper staples to not be quite so shiny. Indeed, I would expect them to look quite dull by now, perhaps with a bit of green showing up here and there.

I suspect someone has acquired a pneumatic stapler and decided to use it to restaple the box shut. The fact that the seller seems to know a lot about pneumatic staplers and how they work further illustrates this point. I also think it likely that some have gotten a hold of a shrinkwrap machine and have re-shrinkwrapped some old systems.

[eslapion]

I have a small pile of cart games for the Atari 2600 here from Epyx including Summer/Winter/California games.

I found them about a month ago in the basement of JC Lachapelle along with a truckfull of Amiga stuff.

Believe or not, ALL of them where still sealed... totally untouched.

Want any?

[Alan]

Umm... Yes?

[bbell]

I notice beside the staples in the top of the 5200 box there are two holes, which could have been the original staple holes. (Looks to me like the original staple was slightly larger). Looking at boxes around the house with industrial staples in them, I don't see second holes in there.

I suppose if the buyer decides to open it up I am sure they will know if they have been tricked.

I suspect someone has acquired a pneumatic stapler and decided to use it to restaple the box shut. The fact that the seller seems to know a lot about pneumatic staplers and how they work further illustrates this point. I also think it likely that some have gotten a hold of a shrinkwrap machine and have re-shrinkwrapped some old systems.

[gklinger]

I have access to a shrink wrapping machine. You slide boxes (or whatever) in this cellophane type stuff and then lower this bar which melts the pastic creating a sealed bag around the item. Then you use a glorified hair dryer to which causes the cellophane to shrink. Ta Da! Things appear new to be factory sealed. I have no doubt that many people are using such machines and eBay to commit fraud.

[PaulQ]

I'm absolutely convinced that there's more fraud happening on eBay than just that. For instance, every Commodore 64 ever built comes in with an RF modulator. How can someone have access to the technology necessary to post an ad on eBay, yet not be able to hook a Commodore 64 to a TV set to test it to see if it works? Therefore, anytime I see a Commodore 64 on eBay being sold "As is - unable to test," I won't even chance it even as a parts machine.

I suppose I have a "Love/hate" relationship with eBay. In many cases, I am thoroughly convinced that us retro computer enthusiasts are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to eBay.

[PaulQ]

In addition to my last post, there's this gem:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Commodore-A1200-Key ... dZViewItem

How does one end up with a Commodore 1200 without any of the cords necessary to make it work? Hmm, perhaps it was stolen?

[gklinger]

Hmm, perhaps it was stolen?

Why jump to that nefarious conclusion? I can think of many reasonable explanations as to why someone would have a 1200, or a VIC-20 for that matter, without the cords. Perhaps the cords have long since been misplaced or maybe they bought it at a flea market or thrift shop without the cabling (most likely because someone else misplaced the cords and donated it to be rid of it). I don't find the auction at all suspicious.

[6502dude]

I have access to a shrink wrapping machine. You slide boxes (or whatever) in this cellophane type stuff and then lower this bar which melts the pastic creating a sealed bag around the item. Then you use a glorified hair dryer to which causes the cellophane to shrink. Ta Da! Things appear new to be factory sealed. I have no doubt that many people are using such machines and eBay to commit fraud.

Oh no!!! People wouldn't do this would they??

I'll bet next you'll tell me there's no santa claus either

[PaulQ]

Hmm, perhaps it was stolen?

Why jump to that nefarious conclusion? I can think of many reasonable explanations as to why someone would have a 1200, or a VIC-20 for that matter, without the cords. Perhaps the cords have long since been misplaced or maybe they bought it at a flea market or thrift shop without the cabling (most likely because someone else misplaced the cords and donated it to be rid of it). I don't find the auction at all suspicious.

I cannot imagine myself, nor anyone else, purchasing a computer from a flea market or thrift shop without at least making sure I had a power supply to turn the thing on. Even if I had so much money it was falling out of my pocket. If it were free, that would be another thing; however...

With the fairly consistent high demand/low supply ratio of A1200's since its introduction (as opposed to the low demand/high supply ratio of Vic 20's), I find it even more unlikely that an A1200 would end up in a flea market or thrift shop in the first place.

[Jeff-20]

I used to find many great systems in thrift stores, console only. The cables usually got seperated in transit to the store and couldn't be found again. I would buy the console only for replacement parts. Even if I didn't need it, some friend might. Consoles without cables usually go for very very cheap! I could buy a cable-less Genesis for $5 or less.

[PaulQ]

I used to find many great systems in thrift stores, console only. The cables usually got seperated in transit to the store and couldn't be found again. I would buy the console only for replacement parts. Even if I didn't need it, some friend might. Consoles without cables usually go for very very cheap! I could buy a cable-less Genesis for $5 or less.

Yes, but bear in mind what we're talking about. It's not a Genesis nor a Vic 20; it's an Amiga 1200. If we were to compare to automobiles, it's like the 1200 is the Buick Grand National of computers; whereas the Vic is the Chevrolet Cavalier and the Genesis is the Dodge Neon. You just aren't going to find GN's sitting on a dealer lot next to Neons and Cavaliers; if you do, you really start to wonder why.

[dragos]

i have found all kinds of stuff in the flea markets/thrift stores. recently too. I found the very rare panzer dragoon saga for sega saturn in a used games store and they had no clue what they had, check it oput on ebay sometime over $150 usually.....

you jump to conclusions and state opinion as fact....