Story of the day (09/14/2012) The Flea Market Meanie.

[Schiggidyd]

I am writing this story today because I feel a growing hostility between collectors, and have a few questions to ask you all.

Today I took a ride down to a flea market, not-so-local (50 minute drive). I went for a nice morning of treasure hunting for my collection.
The market was pretty dry, I barely stayed for 2 hours, but in these two hours, lies my story.

The only Nintendo games at all which I found, were 2 SNES games, DKC and Mario World, and Tecmo Bowl complete for NES. All which I have already, but are games my friends also enjoy. Regardless, I picked them up. Upon paying the man, his friend, the Flea Market Meanie, looks at me and says..
"You have reseller written all over you"
I said "What? Why do you think that? I collect these."
"Your full of shit" he looks at his friend who sold me the games, shakes his head, and says "Why can't people just be honest?"
By this point I was already enraged, because I hate resellers too, and this complete stranger seems to think I am one.
So I say "Well, ask me some questions about games."
He says "Pirates Gold, which platform?"
Immediately, without hesitation, I respond "Sega Genesis, by Microprose".
I suppose he was surprised that I actually answered him.. Then he reveals even more dooshyness.

"Do you have earthbound?"
"Yes" I respond.
"Do you have the box?"
"No, I don't care for cardboard" I respond.
"You're not a collector, that's bullshit. Do you have Chrono Trigger?"
"Yes" I say.
"Well I have some maps for it" he says.
"I had the maps, but I got rid of them" Says me.
His final words "See? Your not a collector, your just a seller"

I grew tired of this narrow-minded asshole and wandered away, and later saw him talking to a seller about Atari Games he had laid out. Turns out he must have been a collector too.

What bothers me, is how I can't be a collector unless I keep every single thing. (I'm more of a genesis guy)
(I don't have the Earthbound Box, so I must not be a collector)
He assumes that I can't possibly be replacing the save-batteries in my games at home, or replacing broken carts all together.
He assumes that I don't have any friends who would love to play DKC or SMW again, both wildly popular.

Heres my discussion guys.

Are there any collecting moments you aren't proud of?
Have you knocked over a little-old-lady for first pick at a box of games?
Threatened or insulted a complete stranger?

Heres my main point: Lets try to show a little more civility with eachother, because we are so alike, we'd all have a lot more fun if collectors weren't so hostile.

Thanks for reading.

[The Adventurer]

Woah, you bought a complete in box Tecmo Bowl, but don't intend to keep the box?

I hope "I had the maps, but I got rid of them" means 'found a loving and caring home for them'.

[Cornelius]

I think you just ran into a d-bag collector. Doesn't mean there arent nice collectors. Same with resellers. Some are nice and some are d-bags.

My low point was probably buying a bunch of stuff from this woman who was selling her husband's stuff. It was clearly a messed up situation: the lady and her husband (from what she said) both seemed crazy. Felt a little bad, but there was another collector/seller there too so clearly someone was going to get the deal. Lousy justification, I know.

[Gameguy]

I hope "I had the maps, but I got rid of them" means 'found a loving and caring home for them'.
Hopefully it means "gave away for free" as selling them would make him a reseller, I'm really not sure why people are offended by it as being a hoarder is worse. Would any collector turn down a rare/expensive game priced at $1 if they already had a copy? I doubt it. In a way I wouldn't have believed him either if he said he didn't own an Earthbound box because he doesn't care for cardboard, if he would have said he never found a box for cheap and can't afford $200 for an empty box it would have sounded believable. Wanting to save money makes sense, that's why people go to flea markets instead of buying stuff off ebay. Saying you don't want packaging of any kind doesn't sound legit when you're trying to come across as a serious collector at the same time. The dude was still a jerk though.

I look around for games, I hope to find stuff for me to keep but I'll pick up anything that's good and priced well. Some stuff I pick up for me only I get bored with it and sell it off or trade it instead, other stuff I know is expensive so I'll pick it up too. What's fun is taking a chance on stuff not knowing anything about it, only to find out later that it's actually valuable. That's what's really fun with looking around for stuff to buy.

[Aussie2B]

I have zero problem admitting that I buy games to resell once in a while. If I see something that I already have or don't want but I can make a profit on (usually won't bother unless it's a $20+ profit), of course I'll snap it up. It's a win/win as far as I'm concerned. The game gets in the hands of someone who really wants it, and I get some money to put towards what I spend on games that I keep.

I don't make a living out of it, though, so I still give other collectors plenty of an opportunity to discover great deals themselves. I'm usually on the other end of that myself, always finding places that are blatantly picked over (nothing but sports games remaining). I don't mind collectors who resell, but general resellers who don't give a crap about games and make on living on eBay can be annoying. They're a problem because they're not as discriminating as collectors who resell. General resellers aren't as savvy about the true values of games, so they'll often buy up just about everything, even when the prices aren't very good, and then they'll put the games up on eBay at ridiculously high BIN prices and sit on them until a sucker comes along. I think that behavior slowly drives prices up more and more and reduces the availability of games in the wild.

[JSoup]

Ha, I've never been called a reseller as an insult. Normally, my local fleamarket sellers use much more colorful words.The closest I could come is some guy I talked down over the course of a few weeks a handful of years ago over a loose Moonwalker cart.

I'm not particularly big on reselling, as I rarely buy games I don't want these days. There have been games I just flat out wanted out of my sight that I've dumped at conventions and swap meets, but that's about it.

[Schiggidyd]

I think to say that collectors don't do any reselling is ridiculous, of course I sell off doubles, it doesn't make sense to keep multiples.
I simply didn't care to have the maps for Chrono Trigger, I didn't throw them away, I sold them to someone who will cherish them. I still had the respect to preserve them in sealed baggies, as any collector should.

I agree about there being a huge difference between strict resellers and collectors who resell, I'm sure we're almost ALL collectors who resell, especially when the craigslist/flea market vendor doesn't want to separate a lot. What choice do we have, really.

[The 1 2 P]

I have never had any encounters like that. Maybe I look intimidating or something. But I split my buying between getting stuff for my collection and getting stuff to resell. I like reselling stuff, especially because it supplements my income. But since I have a real job I'm not completely dependent on it. It actually just evolved from when I use to only look for games for myself to finding lots of cheap doubles of uncommons and rares. And now I just use that to my advantage to make more money to buy stuff I really want....or to pay bills.

[Bloodreign]

I keep the doubles I have had the misfortune of buying, but I've eliminated that problem by having a checklist of what games I still want. As I get them, I checkmark next to the games name in the notebook, and when I get home I add it to my what I have list and subtract from what I want list. I've never run into any douchebag collectors, hell I rarely run into them at all, just 1 dude who said he had all the NES games (that means he didn't need anymore games). One less competitor for me that means as when we were both there I picked up a couple nice NES games, didn't have to compete against him. There was one guy though who traded in his copy of Dragon's Lair Sega CD, and was pissed that I bought it because he regretted trading it away, too late it's mine now.

[Natty Bumppo]

Unless the friend of ninny was merely cleaning out his house or whatever, likely he bought those games somewhere and was in fact reselling them himself. Was the ninny going to be critical of his friend? I kinda doubt it.

And why should his definition of what a collector is be the definitive one? People who collect sealed games might not consider him a collector since he doesn't meet their definition of collecting.

And if you buy a collection of things (I collect laserdiscs and will sometimes buy large amounts in a bulk buy) is a collector just supposed to throw them away and not resell them to recoup some of the money spent buying the lot? Makes no sense whatsoever.

The guy is just a twit - so when evaluating his statements consider the source.

(And from the seller's point of view, is a reseller's money any less valuable than a collector's? As long as both parties agree on the price, waht is the point of distinguishing between the two?)

[G-Boobie]

I have zero problem admitting that I buy games to resell once in a while. If I see something that I already have or don't want but I can make a profit on (usually won't bother unless it's a $20+ profit), of course I'll snap it up. It's a win/win as far as I'm concerned. The game gets in the hands of someone who really wants it, and I get some money to put towards what I spend on games that I keep.

Same here. I don't see the problem, quite frankly.

I seldom get the kind of crap you do in the wild, OP. The worst collecting story I have is the same one I'm sure everyone encounters from time to time: a seller at a flea market or import shop looking up the price of something you're interested in on Ebay and trying to change the price mid-transaction. In that instance, you just walk away if they insist on the new price.

I'm also curious as to why you care what some dude running a booth at a flea market thinks of you. That seems counter productive.

[Schiggidyd]

Thanks guys, I feel better. Supplementing income by selling off doubles is fine with me too, I just hate guys who judge me so quickly because I look young. I was born in 89, and regardless of NES being out for a few years already, I still played it just as much as the next guy, and all the subsequent systems too.

I collect Genesis more because It's something I didn't have as a child, a new frontier.

To assume that because I'm 23 (and look younger) means that I'm just a smartass teenager trying to make a buck is just bullshit!
But that's how he portrayed me, it bothered me all day, how a complete stranger can talk to me like that.

Edit:
By the way, I know not all of you live in Jersey.
New Jersey has the most people-per-mile of any other state, which results in concentrations of rival collectors and TONS of competition. It's tough out there. I've had multiple bad or negative experiences with rude or pathetic collectors.

[PreZZ]

A good old fashioned F*** U mind your own business would have been my answer... like you would resell 3 of the most common games ever for thousands of dollars lol

[Hwj_Chim]

A good old fashioned F*** U mind your own business would have been my answer... like you would resell 3 of the most common games ever for thousands of dollars lol

I was going to suggest this. Next time tell him it is none of your business and go f*** yourself. The guy is just mad you got the games before him:ass:.

[Graham Mitchell]

I'm more of a player than a collector. That said, I do have a large collection. But to be honest, if it saves me a few bucks, loose carts or even discs without an original case don't bother me at all. I guess that makes me "not a collector" based on what I'm reading here. Mmmkay.

[Gunstar Hero]

I'm more of a player than a collector. That said, I do have a large collection. But to be honest, if it saves me a few bucks, loose carts or even discs without an original case don't bother me at all. I guess that makes me "not a collector" based on what I'm reading here. Mmmkay.

I feel the same. I'm in on it for fun not really collecting. I know if I had the cardboard boxes to go along with the cartridges I would probably end up just putting them in the closet or end up ruining them by accedent so I just get loose cartridges.

[Gunstar Hero]

Thanks guys, I feel better. Supplementing income by selling off doubles is fine with me too, I just hate guys who judge me so quickly because I look young. I was born in 89, and regardless of NES being out for a few years already, I still played it just as much as the next guy, and all the subsequent systems too.

I collect Genesis more because It's something I didn't have as a child, a new frontier.

To assume that because I'm 23 (and look younger) means that I'm just a smartass teenager trying to make a buck is just bullshit!
But that's how he portrayed me, it bothered me all day, how a complete stranger can talk to me like that.

Edit:
By the way, I know not all of you live in Jersey.
New Jersey has the most people-per-mile of any other state, which results in concentrations of rival collectors and TONS of competition. It's tough out there. I've had multiple bad or negative experiences with rude or pathetic collectors.

You think your young, I'm 15! I still play and enjoy games though even though I didn't get to live through when they were coming out (of course I wish I did though).

[Schiggidyd]

You think your young, I'm 15! I still play and enjoy games though even though I didn't get to live through when they were coming out (of course I wish I did though).

Well, for this asshole at the flea market, maybe in his late 30's, I am young at 23.

I think everyone has their own collecting style and no jerkoff's should tell you HOW to collect. I'm fine with my Earthbound and Chrono Trigger cart, if I don't have the boxes, no big deal!
It doesn't make me less of a collector, just not as hardcore!

[Guy Bramsworth]

That's a pretty funny story. I somehow imagine an old country guy that looks like he'd be named Zeek when I read the douchy guy's lines :) Talk about bad business too, just after making a sale. Considering they got paid they shouldn't care what happens next to whatever they sold.

[Jorpho]

The only Nintendo games at all which I found, were 2 SNES games, DKC and Mario World, and Tecmo Bowl complete for NES. All which I have already, but are games my friends also enjoy. Regardless, I picked them up. Upon paying the man, his friend, the Flea Market Meanie, looks at me and says..
"You have reseller written all over you"
I said "What? Why do you think that? I collect these."I'm confused. Were you buying these games to give them to your friends? If so, why didn't you just say so?

[Schiggidyd]

I'm confused. Were you buying these games to give them to your friends? If so, why didn't you just say so?

It didn't matter what I said, he was dead set on pinning me as a pesky reseller who knows nothing about video games.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I very rarely buy anything to resell, simply because unless it is something major, I usually wind up getting stuck with it. The only things that I can think of right off the top of my head that I picked up was a copy of Intelligent Qube for the PS1 for $2 and a copy of Action 52 for the Genesis for $1. I sold both of them for very reasonable prices which gave a really good deal to the buyer and some profit for me. I may have been able to get more for them, but I prefer a fast nickle over a slow dime. I do still have the loose cart of Clean Sweep that I picked up for the Vectrex for $1.

[Atarileaf]

The only things that I can think of right off the top of my head that I picked up was a copy of Intelligent Qube for the PS1 for $2 and a copy of Action 52 for the Genesis for $1. I sold both of them for very reasonable prices which gave a really good deal to the buyer and some profit for me.

That's the way I like to do things too. If I find something cheap that I'm not particularly interested in I'll almost always offer it on a forum to other collectors first and usually for 20% to 25% less than the going rate. The collector gets a great deal, I get a little bit of money to help offset my hobby costs and everyone wins.

I think this is the happy medium in the collector/reseller debate.

[Superman]

I'm confused. Were you buying these games to give them to your friends? If so, why didn't you just say so?


It didn't matter what I said, he was dead set on pinning me as a pesky reseller who knows nothing about video games.

I think Jorpho's point is that if you told the seller that the items were for your friends, there wasn't much he could say. He could choose not to accept your statement and just call you a liar, but the extended conversation with the Q&A session likely wouldn't have happened.

To answer your question, like most others here, I have rarely even seen another collector or reseller in my travels. More likely, it is just a random person saying something like, "Look, this guy has VHS tapes and those old Nintendo games!"

But with that said, I did come across a reseller one time. I was looking through some games and I had chosen a couple that I needed for the ol' collection. The other few I put in front of me and I was trying to remember if I needed them or not. At that point this guy comes up and starts taking the games and asks me if which games I got and if I play/collect games or resell them. I tell him that I just play and collect them and he informs me that he buys to sell them. I grab one more game that I'm interested in and he proceeds to grab the rest.

I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was something to the effect of luckily I got the best of the bunch and that what was left (the ones he had) weren't worth that much. His response was the typical, "I can get X amount for these online."

So for the next few months, I would check in and see how the items were doing "online" and they were doing just fine, sitting there for month after month, until one day they disappeared...unsold.

[JSoup]

I have run into a few resellers when I'm running flea markets with my friend, who is also a reseller. He has a habit of just running into deals, but then again, between the two of us, we're known by most of the sellers at the local flea markets. Many of them will specifically hold crap they want to sell for us, cause they know if I don't buy it, my friend will. Its fun to shop with him as random resellers will beat him to the punch of flaunt it in a "haha, I got it first" kind of way. He just smiles and walks off. It's kind of a reverse fuck you, he's a state worker, doesn't need to resell for a living. Most of what's being bought is either being reduced and sold to friends or reserved for birthday/christmas presents.

[Zing]

While his behaviour was ridiculous and offensive, you have to admit that a "collector" who already owns Earthbound and Chrono Trigger wouldn't normally be purchasing SMW and DKC.

[Schiggidyd]

If I find games my non-savvy friends would want to play, they reimburse me for them. They weren't even dirt cheap or anything, 5 each. It's fair but not much room for making money, right?

[BlastProcessing402]

I don't get why this douchnozzle would care if you were a reseller or not. I really don't get why you wasted time engaging him in "conversation" when he was clearly not worth your time. If he didn't think you should have those games he should've bought them from his friend the seller first.

[Schiggidyd]

This is how Jersey is! Too many people, it's so concentrated, that every flea market, garage sale, and craigslist gets TRAMPLED by collectors and dealers IMMEDIATELY and in MASSES. It's rough out here man!

[Tanooki]

Worst thing I think I've done probably would be the $2 Earthbound I got recently by someone who didn't know better and I just stayed calmed played it cool and walked away as quick as I approached which was a few months ago. That and there's two royal d-bag resellers with spots at the flea I hit who love nothing more than walking around early and one sometimes before buyers are allowed in who pick stuff off and then take to their booth (or the pre-opener won't open up, goes back to his store and puts the shit on ebay.) I try and find them, then stay a row ahead skimming places and it has worked out. Learned I had to do that after seeing the other dude this mexican guy rob some people blind who knew nothing to turn around and ask over ebay at his spot which he always does and the stuff over the months or years whites out not the label only but the plastics to the point of being tossed out. I've ratted him and the other guys out on the sly to vendors and sometimes they've tossed their asses out and wouldn't sell to them. Sure I guess it's a rat move but as I see it they have it coming treating people like that.

Personally I don't have a gaming budget currently, too close with debts and expenses. I basically go to the flea with $20/wk roll over extra, and then I keep or sell what I pick up, but I am choosy on that. Other than the allowance I give myself I haven't had to take cash out of the actual budget in a couple years except on a few small occasions. I've also supplemented my smaller (>500) selection of games selling off stuff I no longer use or care about which buys me other games I would use. I got rid of 300+ NES games over a year ago, used the dough mostly on a powerpak for NES and then on some of the more expensive SNES carts I wanted and yet even then I capped myself at $50/max and only twice I hit that with EVO and Wild Guns around Christmas. Right now I'm offloading spare SMS games I got in a pair of lots when I wanted a SMS back and I'm getting rid of all my GB and GBC games too along with a few misc others which all will go back into gaming stuff I do want. So yeah I guess to that flea-tard in the first thread being referenced I'm a sickening reseller, but honestly I can't stand them unless it's someone out of utility like myself as I don't price to screw people, I go under the averages to be fair.

[Schiggidyd]

Tanooki, I feel your pain! I HATE those guys who go around buying up all the games from other people before the flea market opens, then selling them at their stand. They're the reason I show up to every flea market very very early, before it even opens.

They make it a really sad experience for people who want to find games in the wild.

[FrankSerpico]

Damn, Wild Guns for only 50 that's a great find. Can't remember the last time I saw it for less than 80 in the wild

[PreZZ]

I went to my local flea market this week end and the only video game i found was a sega genesis 2 with ecco! This place is huge, but the retro game scene has gone dry... from 1998 to 2001 there was a guy with complete walls of sealed snes, genesis, saturn, sega cd and systems. He sold sealed nes metroids and zeldas for 40$ ! I bought megaman X for 30$, starfox for 20$, castlevnia 4 for 25$, legend of oasis for 20$, mega bomberman for 15$, magic knight rayearth for 45 and albert odyssey for 40$, a sega master system for 30$, etc etc all brand new sealed! this place was amazing, but I was short on cash I only had a part time job, and I still wake up at night punching myself for not buying those sealed zeldas, metroid lol.

[Schiggidyd]

That's incredible! If I could go back in time, I'd rent Flintstones Suprise at Dinosaur Peak from Blockbuster and "accidentally lose" it, so I would have to pay. Oops ;)