Broken PS2s.. is there gold inside or what?!?

[Sunnyvale]

OK, I've been selling off some broke PS2s lately. For those of you who don't know, they are through the roof in prce. You can easily get $40 for a BROKEN fattie, and $25 or more for a slim. OK, so I figured it was all for mods and benders buying them up, but I sold a lot of 2 fatties today for $95 with free shipping, and got this Email attached to the order:

"Please pack the item with the smallest box that you have. I don't mind if the item gets slightly damaged during shipping, cos more newspaper/bubble wrap will create more wastage for me. Sorry for the inconvenience caused & thank you for your cooperation."

OK, so it's waste, not function that is his concern it seems. Between their high price and consistent selling and his lack of concern over their appearance and function, I'm left thinking: Are these all getting gutted for precious metals, or what? Anyone know?

[SparTonberry]

They're not trying to build nukes out of them are they?

(people still remember that?)

[Gameguy]

I don't get it either, they're worth more broken than working.

[Emperor Megas]

They're not trying to build nukes out of them are they?

(people still remember that?)Yes, sadly.

[Peonpiate]

Not Gold. But Titanium is imbedded in the CPU and GPU [Fat model only] in small quantities.

[Sunnyvale]

I don't get it either, they're worth more broken than working.

Yup. If you wanna get top-dollar for your PS2, list it AS-IS, and put the words 'not broken' in your title. Oh, and don't include anything but the console. WTF?!?

[Kyle15]

Where's the buyer from? Someone bought a set of PS2 network adapters from me last month and sent the exact same message.

[Sunnyvale]

Where's the buyer from? Someone bought a set of PS2 network adapters from me last month and sent the exact same message.

California. Same guy?

[crazyjackcsa]

I don't get it. There isn't enough of anything inside worth scrapping. Even with the high price of metals. Scrapping a computer strictly for scrap, won't net you more than $15. I can't see a PS2 worth anymore.

The thing with the metal inside electronics is it's really hard to get out, and you need special chemicals and things to do it. It isn't a do it at home kind of thing.

[skaar]

This is intriguing.

[WCP]

The CIA is sending the parts to the contras in Honduras. It's very hush-hush.

[Sunnyvale]

OK, so not enough metal to mess with... Then WTF?!? Missing the drive door and the expansion port cover=the same price as one that looks gorgeous with a modem attached. I'm all kinds of confused....
God, I hope this happens with Gamecubes! I'll be a millionaire!

[Kitsune Sniper]

And I say again, people buy these and stick a hard drive in with ISOs 'em to resell in Mexico for a nice profit.

[Sunnyvale]

And I say again, people buy these and stick a hard drive in with ISOs 'em to resell in Mexico for a nice profit.

Aha! Thanks, Kitsune! Now it makes sense...
Sorry I didn't see you post that elsewhere :oops:

[Gameguy]

And I say again, people buy these and stick a hard drive in with ISOs 'em to resell in Mexico for a nice profit.
Why can't this be done with working systems? It only seems like the broken ones are selling for higher prices.

[RARusk]

Parallel computing is the only thing I can think of. Sony was using PS1 and PS2 boards to help iron out the concepts for their CELL chips I believe.

I guess certain motherboards are better for that than others I suppose.

As for the consoles being sold in Mexico I am assuming that they are using Free McBoot with either HDLoader or Open PS2 Loader unless someone has managed to self boot the programs off of the hard drive - if that is the case I want to know how.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Why can't this be done with working systems? It only seems like the broken ones are selling for higher prices.

Because the working systems can still be used when the hard drive breaks.

No working drive means you have to take it back to the guy who sold you the system to have the drive replaced, which means more money.


As for the consoles being sold in Mexico I am assuming that they are using Free McBoot with either HDLoader or Open PS2 Loader unless someone has managed to self boot the programs off of the hard drive - if that is the case I want to know how.No, that's it. Most people just ask for a memory card when they do the thing.

[Sunnyvale]

Because the working systems can still be used when the hard drive breaks.

No working drive means you have to take it back to the guy who sold you the system to have the drive replaced, which means more money.

So what you're saying is to keep a few for myself, and break the rest discreetly. Damnit, that just goes against my grain. I'm just gonna quit testing them @_@

[wingzrow]

That titanium thing was funny but it's GOT to be the fact that you can run hard drives filled with games on them. I did that myself and not only does this let you run 30 or so games, the games LOAD faster too.

IT's the entire reason why 80% of my PS2 internet adapters were international sales. I'm sure someone out there is hogging these to sell systems modded in Africa.

[Rickstilwell1]

What I want to know is why some people care about the phat PS2 systems' production numbers. People always ask my uncle on ebay when he sells a system what the numbers on the back are.

My aunt's brother did get a very early PS2, like when it first launched and for some reason when I borrowed it I was able to play non-analog-stick-compatible games using the analog stick in addition to the D-Pad. Games like Beyond the Beyond for PS1 were working with the sticks which is very unusual.

When I got my system in 2002 or so, that function didn't work on mine.
Perhaps only the VERY early systems could do that???

[Jorpho]

They're all going to be stacked in a huge pile that will be symbolically destroyed in a Youtube event to protest Sony's decision to discontinue the PSP2Go. Clearly.

[Oobgarm]

What I want to know is why some people care about the phat PS2 systems' production numbers. People always ask my uncle on ebay when he sells a system what the numbers on the back are.

My aunt's brother did get a very early PS2, like when it first launched and for some reason when I borrowed it I was able to play non-analog-stick-compatible games using the analog stick in addition to the D-Pad. Games like Beyond the Beyond for PS1 were working with the sticks which is very unusual.

When I got my system in 2002 or so, that function didn't work on mine.
Perhaps only the VERY early systems could do that???

Could have to do with modchips. I know that it was important to know model numbers when modding PSX systems.

Late-model PS2 phat systems have built in IR receivers, and at some point along the line they dropped the i.link port. Those could be factors too.

[GameNinja]

This is indeed interesting...

:runs off to craigslist to find broken ps2 listings:

[Cryomancer]

This is pretty hilarious, I might have to go sell mine now. I think I have two phat ps2s of questionable quality, hmm.

[Sunnyvale]

This is indeed interesting...

:runs off to craigslist to find broken ps2 listings:

I comb all the local pawn shops for broken PS2s weekly. And I'm not the only one. Matter o fact, I'd wager you'll find a guy on CL with an add to buy broken PS2s. We have two guys like that here.

[Gameguy]

There's currently 3-4 loose fat PS2s at the Value Village near me for $14.99 each, I won't bother buying them. I'm kind of surprised the people who buy broken ones just don't buy working ones and break them themselves. It would probably be cheaper.

[Sunnyvale]

There's currently 3-4 loose fat PS2s at the Value Village near me for $14.99 each, I won't bother buying them. I'm kind of surprised the people who buy broken ones just don't buy working ones and break them themselves. It would probably be cheaper.

Odd... If those were copies of Dragon Warrior 4 for $15, you'd buy them all, am I right? The broke PS2s worth more...
How close to Washington State are you XD

[Gameguy]

Odd... If those were copies of Dragon Warrior 4 for $15, you'd buy them all, am I right? The broke PS2s worth more...
How close to Washington State are you XD
I don't bother shipping anything so it's not worth my time, nobody local wants them. I did buy a working slim PS2 with all hookups and memory card for under $10 from the same place so $15 for a loose fat one is too much.

And I found a copy of Dragon Warrior IV for $2.99 so $15 is kind of a lot in comparison. I can't remember if I tested it yet though, I'm hoping it works.

[Sunnyvale]

I see... I ship everyday, so it's a different mentality. Yeah, I just got DW 2 and 3 in a box of NES games for $20, so I understand your point. But since I'm always selling that stuff online... $15 is a great price. Good find on the working slim, BTW.

[Gameguy]

Shipping costs more in Canada, what people expect to pay in total would generally leave me with next to nothing when it's all done. A fat PS2 would cost around $20 to ship, probably more if it has to travel more than 4 hours away. Having to find boxes, running to the post office, and dealing with clearing payments just isn't worth it to make $5.

They recently raised the prices on games so I doubt I'd be finding any more great games for those low prices, I just don't like spending more on games when they're untested and final sale. People were complaining about the fluctuating prices depending on who priced them so now they just have one person pricing everything, and now it's all priced higher. I'm still looking for 2 and 3, hopefully I'll come across them eventually. Sadly I still seem to find more stuff at that thrift store(at higher prices) than anywhere else, I'd rather find constant lots on craigslist but it doesn't seem to be happening. I never really found much at garage sales, usually just once per season if I'm lucky. I'm keeping the PS2 though, I don't think I'd find another one that cheap again.

[Sunnyvale]

Wow, I feel very fortunate after hearing your situation. I found every Dragon Warrior this year, all cheap, all at yard sales. A couple decent pawn scores, a handful of awesome thrift scores, but yard sales and CL keep my bills paid. And I have a dozen thrift stores to choose from, and over 20 pawn shops. Sounds like you have just the one thrift store. Quite humbling, really. Lucky by geography.

[Gameguy]

Dragon Warrior 1 is easy to find, I even have a complete copy of it. This was back when games were $1.99, a rare drop in pricing that didn't last long. I still have to take off the price tag, I found several complete games together and they put stupid stickers on the boxes which will be difficult to remove without any damage(I'll be careful but it takes awhile to do properly). Otherwise everything is in excellent condition.

There are 3 thrift stores where I am. One is independent and almost never has games(ever), I used to find some books ages ago but it's just about dead now in terms of what I like. Another is Salvation Army, rarely ever gets games in but when they do they're usually $0.99 each. At least that's what they've been the last few times I've found any, it's like once every few months they'll get something and maybe once every few of those times it would be something good. I still find stuff in all those stores but it doesn't feel like it's often enough for how often I go, I try to go every day.

Craigslist or Kijiji is ok, I used to find stuff more often with it than now. The better stuff in my collection I've mostly found this way, either with rarer stuff or stuff in better condition. Usually it's cheaper too when buying in lots and selling off the extras. A couple of years ago I always found stuff worth buying this way, now every few months I might reply to something.

I shouldn't really complain so much about that Value Village, I do find stuff every few weeks but it's usually a horrible shopping experience whenever I'm there so I don't like the store all that much. I found a boxed Majora's Mask last week for $5 which was bagged on the wall, but when I got home I found the box empty. They're too lazy to check what they're pricing, normally I check before paying for anything but I was in a hurry and that's when I get ripped off(they don't like people opening the bags but I usually do anyway). I did manage to convince the manager to let me exchange it for something else(and he let me keep the box anyway), but it just annoys me. I guess it's better than them just throwing out the empty box, but it was priced like all the other games so you'd expect it to have the game too.

[Sunnyvale]

Yes, I can understand your frustration with Value Village. One of the Christian thrifts here always seperates PC games from their manuals, unless it's inside the jewel case or boxed. 100% of the time. Pain in the ass. Then they want to charge you for both seperately, and you have to show them they're mates... Ugh. Still, from what you said of yard sales having nothing, man I'm sorry. Almost everything really cool I own came from a yard sale. And usually it ends up being free, because of bundles and whatnot.

[The 1 2 P]

I believe we had a similiar topic earlier this year and I'm surprised that people are still paying so much for these. Everytime I see a PS2 at Goodwill for under $20 I'm tempted to start hoarding them. But most times they are priced $20-40 each so that gives me a legit reason to pass on them.

[Cryomancer]

The more I think of this topic there more conspiracy theories I come up with.

Clearly, it's Sony buying them. They're going to stockpile already-produced emotion engine parts so the ps4 can be backwards compatible.

[M37R01D]

Has anyone figured this out yet
I cant understand why you can goto gamestop and get a fully working one for like $50 but broken ones on ebay are fetching almost $50
one person sold a buy it now for 142 broken ones for $5200
I have a lot on ebay now and im shocked on how much the auction has got up to and its still not over

[Sunnyvale]

Has anyone figured this out yet
I cant understand why you can goto gamestop and get a fully working one for like $50 but broken ones on ebay are fetching almost $50
one person sold a buy it now for 142 broken ones for $5200
I have a lot on ebay now and im shocked on how much the auction has got up to and its still not over

I think Kitsune Sniper did a good job of explaining it earlier on this thread.

[M37R01D]

i read that but gamestop has tons of working ones for about the same price and they come with controllers and wires
the gamestop i just quit had over 50 large ones sitting in their back room
occasionally some guy would come in and buy as many as we would sell him. he said he was sending to another country. so I can kinda believe that but still why not goto every gamestop and just buy them out?

[Sunnyvale]

Go for it! I doubt that they won't catch on for long, but in the meantime...

[Gameguy]

Gamestop sells them cheaper than $50, at least in Canada they are. I think this is one of the few times where stuff is actually cheaper in Canada compared to the US, I'm actually surprised by this.

http://www.gamestop.ca/ps2/consoles/ps2-system-gamestop-refurbished/253379

$29.99 plus tax for one with hookups that's fully working. This is why I pass on bare systems for $14.99 at Value Village.

[Jaruff]

Gamestop sells them cheaper than $50, at least in Canada they are. I think this is one of the few times where stuff is actually cheaper in Canada compared to the US, I'm actually surprised by this.

http://www.gamestop.ca/ps2/consoles/ps2-system-gamestop-refurbished/253379

$29.99 plus tax for one with hookups that's fully working. This is why I pass on bare systems for $14.99 at Value Village.

They're still $49.99 in the States. When did the prices start going up? I sold a couple of broke ones a year or two ago and I only got $20 or so apiece.

[M37R01D]

They're still $49.99 in the States. When did the prices start going up? I sold a couple of broke ones a year or two ago and I only got $20 or so apiece.

thats what im saying
the broken ones are selling for to high i dont get it even on ebay working ones with wires and controllers are going cheaper

and unless you have alot of ppl working for you its going to take forever to go through all the broken ps2's that these 2-3 guys on ebay are buying majority of the lots. then all the time to put into fixing them with the 11 different versions of phats and at least 6 (last time i looked) versions of the slims as alot of versions you cant swap certain parts between version, just crazy

[theclaw]

May as well take advantage of this before the bubble bursts. I'd gladly rent an 18 wheeler with driver and grab up every $10 range ps2 I could find, if they were that cheap and numerous enough local.

[Sunnyvale]

May as well take advantage of this before the bubble bursts. I'd gladly rent an 18 wheeler with driver and grab up every $10 range ps2 I could find, if they were that cheap and numerous enough local.

And it might now be a bad idea to save a few working ones... These things are gonna be hard to find. I've never seen a console sell so consistently for so much that wasn't rare. Findins a PS2 in 5 years in the wild might be a little tricky.

[Cornelius]

but 90% of the time it is the optical drive that goes bad, and if you are putting a hdd in and loading that w software, you don't need the optical to work.

[Sunnyvale]

Yeah, it's mostly easy fixes on PS2's, but if this goes on for 5 more years, where will one even find a housing? Imagine if this had happened with NES's. There'd be a lot less in the wild nowadays, and the price would reflect this. IF a PS2 works, I keep it now. Sell the broke ones, store the good.

[maxlords]

I think I have 3 or 4 of these in my basement if I haven't thrown them out. I should eBay them....

[Collector_Gaming]

actually its a mix i feel

I can see where people are putting drives in them and reselling them as is..

But in your case that wouldn't make sense at all because for them to make the most bang for their buck he would want you wrap it as best as you can.

This case he believes he is going bank off precious metals and other assorted goods found inside

My little brother (who i am surprised isn't this guy that emailed you) Has been on a venture lately snagging broken electronics and stuff believing that you can pry enough precious metals from electronics to make some what good money off them with patience. And he told me theres a mad frenzy of people all over the US doing this now since the price of these metals has shot through the roof lately.

[pseudonym]

And it might now be a bad idea to save a few working ones... These things are gonna be hard to find. I've never seen a console sell so consistently for so much that wasn't rare. Finding a PS2 in 5 years in the wild might be a little tricky.

I doubt that PS2s will ever be tricky to find anywhere.


I think I have 3 or 4 of these in my basement if I haven't thrown them out. I should eBay them....

I've considered selling the two or three I have sitting around, too. :)

[Sunnyvale]

I doubt that PS2s will ever be tricky to find anywhere.

I remember when I thought that way about Atari's.

[pseudonym]

I remember when I thought that way about Atari's.

Haha, touche. Really though, I think working ones might be hard to find one day. :)

[Sunnyvale]

I agree. There's no way that broke one's can fetcht that kind of money and it not eventually affect rarity. We are looking at the expensive 6th gen console in ten years. Until now, I always thought it would be the DC.

[Poofta!]

I agree. There's no way that broke one's can fetcht that kind of money and it not eventually affect rarity. We are looking at the expensive 6th gen console in ten years. Until now, I always thought it would be the DC.

interesting read.

The problem with DC, and please, no flames.... is that there just arent that many good games on it. especially exclusive ones. by todays standards everything is outdated and outdone. any game is either available on another console or has been remade in one way or another in a better form. and those controllers... awful!

PS2 has an enormous library, largest i can think of, of great great games.

[Sunnyvale]

interesting read.

The problem with DC, and please, no flames.... is that there just arent that many good games on it. especially exclusive ones. by todays standards everything is outdated and outdone. any game is either available on another console or has been remade in one way or another in a better form. and those controllers... awful!

PS2 has an enormous library, largest i can think of, of great great games.

Although I love my DC the most of the 6th gen, I agree the PS2 has a great library. And as much as I hate to say this... DC 3rd party controllers solve the cord issue, which is the big one.
But my point is, eventually, it becomes about rarity. What's an Astrocade go for? Ever played one? Know of any good, fun exclusives? Nah, it's just rare, and has the name 'Bally' on it, which is godamm cool. RCA's Studio Poo sells for decent money. Same kinda thing.
That there fattie PS2 is fixin to be rare, hoss.

[Rickstilwell1]

I wonder how many people are gonna go to Value Village now, take any fat PS2 they find and kill it on purpose?