Sega Pico Variants

[Storyteller]

I have the world record Sega Saturn collection, come bid starting bid $20,000 I have all rares and good things come see

(note: may not actually have anything other than 700 copies of Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball)

[Michael Thomasson]

I did not know that there *might* be a larger collection until well into the process with Guinness. I had mine documented through great effort through a long and grueling process. It took several years to reach the end. I certainly don't have the ability to stop others from contacting Guinness and have even encouraged others to pursue it - ask Syd. Years later, when the record was made official I was receiving a lot or press and realized that all the garnered attention might be beneficial in helping my family and really got the gears turning in my head that maybe, just maybe, I might play my cards right and come to the rescue. That is when I went on the whole PR campaign, or I should accurately say they came to me because the phone was ringing off the hook, news trucks lined up outside my home and my e-mail box was in a constant state of incoming mail. If you think that people's information is private, don't fool yourself. Everyone and their brother found me easily enough without me broadcasting it. I realized then that I had inadvertently put myself in front of the world in the hopes that I could do good, despite having to give up the games. Since that was the case, I figured that I would try and champion gaming and try and put out hobby in the best light in front of the world. I lost all privacy, had to get a home security system which I couldn't afford and was happy to do it as it *should* have been a temporary situation. I anticipated the collection selling and then my family could move forward and it all be behind me. People ridiculed me on this very message board about how foolish I was to advertise that I had all the games. They did not know that I was going to have to sell them all and that is why I went "touring" when it went public. I've been biting my tongue for over a year, so that I didn't spill the beans and ruin my one chance in my life to make good.

As far as what the collection is worth - who REALLY knows? Sure, there is value in each item by itself, but as a whole it is another picture entirely. Do the other collectors have over 2,600 factory shrink-wrapped games direct from the distributor never even hitting store shelves? It is apples to oranges. I spent a lifetime acquiring them, choosing the best of each duplicate, completing sets, and that has a value. The Guinness name attached might give it value. I was asked in dozens of interviews what I thought it would sell for and I usually stated that I had no earthly idea and that it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I said that we would find out. Except that we didn't really find out as a result of shenanigans and we may never know because some people care more about harming others for kicks and giggles than discovering the truth on a fair and level playing field.

[Storyteller]

As far as what the collection is worth - who REALLY knows? Sure, there is value in each item by itself, but as a whole it is another picture entirely. Do the other collectors have over 2,600 factory shrink-wrapped games direct from the distributor never even hitting store shelves? It is apples to oranges. I spent a lifetime acquiring them, choosing the best of each duplicate, completing sets, and that has a value. The Guinness name attached might give it value.

So if Guinness says I have the nicest Panzer Dragoon Saga in existence (it's pretty close, dammit) does that raise the value from $300 to $3,000 because you heard about it from channel 5 news?

[Michael Thomasson]

Jason DreamTR, you state that you kept quiet until I brought up your name, yet you went to the trouble to communicate with bidders in the auction in an attempt to harm me. You invited yourself into the topic by such an action and you succeeded in doing great damage. I concede, you won. Yet you still are not happy. You state that I knew in advance about your collection and that is simply not true. Your argument is that all the big and serious collectors know each other and are on the internet. Well, the internet is a big place and you (and others) didn't know about my collection for the last two decades. I've tried to make peace with you, despite the fact that I owe you nothing. I wish the best for you, but just want you to stop dragging my good name through the mud. Again, let's talk and get this behind us. Trust me, I wish that I never had to go through any of this, could live in my home, keep my games and care for my family. It REALLY is that simple.

[portnoyd]

MT, you simply need to stop replying. You are digging such a deep hole for yourself. Just stop. Your latest replies are so damning it makes my head hurt.

I don't want someone like you 'championing' classic gaming/collecting when you made the choices you have and presenting yourself as so ignorant of the community, the collecting scene and game values. You need to start keeping your head down and once this blows over, keep it down for the long haul.

[skaar]

This is way more fun than that stupid bronies thread.

[Storyteller]

I have the largest collection in the world at the moment, everyone in here needs to stop and recognize me.

I have contacted Guinness and will be the new reigning champion by sundown.

7522

[DreamTR]

Jason DreamTR, you state that you kept quiet until I brought up your name, yet you went to the trouble to communicate with bidders in the auction in an attempt to harm me. You invited yourself into the topic by such an action and you succeeded in doing great damage. I concede, you won. Yet you still are not happy. You state that I knew in advance about your collection and that is simply not true. Your argument is that all the big and serious collectors know each other and are on the internet. Well, the internet is a big place and you (and others) didn't know about my collection for the last two decades. I've tried to make peace with you, despite the fact that I owe you nothing. I wish the best for you, but just want you to stop dragging my good name through the mud. Again, let's talk and get this behind us. Trust me, I wish that I never had to go through any of this, could live in my home, keep my games and care for my family. It REALLY is that simple.

There you go again. I didn't do anything to harm you. Palmer Luckey was not going above 90K.

Somehow you think I myself convinced a BILLIONAIRE to not purchase your games? Really? Actually you put "bidders" as in plural. I contacted Palmer to see what he he was getting into and his goal is. The bottom line is you don't have the stuff he wants, that has nothing to do with me.

That's the thing, you think I sabotaged the auction, blaming me because it did not sell. That's asinine.

"HEY APPLE, DON'T BUY BEATS BY DRE-signed, random internet guy."

Really?

You said you have "sold this collection" on many occassions. Therefore this point is moot.

The 2,600 factory Sealed games are almost all commons. Your list of what you do NOT have is glaring. I mean, I have over 4,000 factory sealed games by default because I never really opened most of my PS2, XBOX, DS, XBOX 360, Wii stuff, so yeah and I am not even a sealed collector.

Oh, about you not knowing about "others" collections:

"Michael left out the part where I told him during the process about you and other collectors"

This has been said and done, you have selective memory. You realize you have spoken to me no less than a dozen times when I worked at Tps & Tricks and you yourself knew when I was at 10K games almost a decade ago and ASKED ME AT CGE AT YOUR BOOTH ABOUT THEM?

Again, I have no idea what you and I talking about would accomplish but you just made up some stuff about me and think I am supposed to let it go?

So just FYI...I still have all my pinball/arcade/console stuff. I do not speak to Palmer Luckey often. He has more money than everyone in this forum will ever have, and my stuff is still here. Don't you think he would have bought me out if that was a thing then? I mean, come on!

That is what makes this so ridiculous, you are great in person! It's like a whole other person took over who does not even remember anyone!

Also, if you really HAVE to sell your stuff you have eBay, you have Good Deal Games, you have "managed" game stores still to this day apparently (?) you can sell the stuff if you really need to unless you are certain you can't get what you think it is worth to YOU. I can tell you when I need money, I just eBay stuff or talk to private collectors, simple as that. I buy a lot of pinball machines now and that is how I get the money, surely someone who has all these accomplishments as yourself, and is also in MENSA can easily do this. I am not being patronizing either, but again, you can't expect anyone to feel bad when you brought this whole ordeal on yourself with the media coverage. All you have to do is say no. I am sure Richard wasn't having it, and I turn down interviews and stuff when they come to me unless it makes sense for the arcade and not self preserving and self promotion. This is ALL self promotion on your end.

A damned good job of it though. I would hire you to be my marketing guy in a heartbeat. Sheesh.

[skaar]

I have the largest collection in the world at the moment, everyone in here needs to stop and recognize me.

I have contacted Guinness and will be the new reigning champion by sundown.

7522

Shaq Fu is your Jam.

[Storyteller]

Shaq Fu is your Jam.

This isnt even half of it. You guys don't even know. Expect full collection picture tonight.

I'll put this entire argument to bed (and possibly sleep with it and then never call it again)

[Bratwurst]

http://home.roadrunner.com/~saucisse/vbender/wrasslin.jpg

[Michael Thomasson]

Ha! Thanks for giving me the nicer derhair. Really, it is not about the record. I'm giving up the certificate and title with the games. Who has the most games was never the issue and by selling them proves that. I'm just tired of this being documented incorrectly and don't appreciate being kicked while I'm down.

[Storyteller]

Ha! Thanks for giving me the nicer derhair. Really, it is not about the record. I'm giving up the certificate and title with the games. Who has the most games was never the issue and by selling them proves that. I'm just tired of this being documented incorrectly and don't appreciate being kicked while I'm down.

Man, you should have just taken the 90k and ran with it imo.

[JSoup]

you simply need to stop replying.

/thread

[Baloo]

This is the greatest thread ever on DP.

I like how you try to argue what your collection is really worth on a forum of nothing but collectors who really know what every individual game in the pile is actually worth. And of course Joe Santulli didn't care when you said you were going for the record, you could have tried forever and he could have deliberately tried to get in touch with Guinness himself and blew your "collection" away by a country mile without batting an eyelash. Then you try to play yourself up as some kind of victim for knowingly going for a record you knew you didn't come close to REALLY having and expect the respect of the community that collects video games, and try to play it off as "Oh I didn't know they had a bigger collection"? And then try to make a quick buck off of the now verified collection and paint yourself as even more of a victim because of family medical issues. Please. This is no way to actually gain respect, this is the way a cheat deals in video games. No one is kicking you while you're down, you dug yourself into this shithole. You look like a complete hack.

And for the record, DreamTR pretty much annihilated you with his evidence, to the point where I'm surprised you even bothered to reply.

Now back to this:

http://i53.tinypic.com/t65p5g.gif

[Emuaust]

Who said DP was ded?

[pseudonym]

Who said DP was ded?

Nothing brings DP members together like drama.

[stardust4ever]

Is there some sort of bidder privacy statement with GameGavel?

i find posting a bidder's complete contact information to the internet - *especially* - when it's posted by the seller, under an explanation that's more or less an accusation of lying (aka fake bid) a wee bit...troubling.
Well, Kudos to you for quoting it so that the OP doesn't have the option to delete the data by removing it from their post. Dickery Boulevard is a two way street, you know...:onfire:

[bb_hood]

As far as what the collection is worth - who REALLY knows? Sure, there is value in each item by itself, but as a whole it is another picture entirely. Do the other collectors have over 2,600 factory shrink-wrapped games direct from the distributor never even hitting store shelves? It is apples to oranges. I spent a lifetime acquiring them, choosing the best of each duplicate, completing sets, and that has a value. The Guinness name attached might give it value. I was asked in dozens of interviews what I thought it would sell for and I usually stated that I had no earthly idea and that it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I said that we would find out. Except that we didn't really find out as a result of shenanigans and we may never know because some people care more about harming others for kicks and giggles than discovering the truth on a fair and level playing field.


You cant play the 'its worth whatever someone wants to pay for the collection' card when you set the reserve at 750,000. Thats the same as putting the starting bid at 750,000.
And how can you ask for such a large amount of money for COLLECTIBLES and NOT have a complete list?? It easy to say 'who knows what it worth' when you dont even supply a full list. Like do you really know how much money 750,000$ is? If your gonna ask that much you take the time to make a complete list.
It is not an apples and oranges situation either. The amount of time you put into your collection is worth squat. Thats just the way these things work, it may sound impressive that you been collecting for 30 years but in the end that adds nothing to the value.
You cant expect someone to pay more for the whole than the sum of the individual games, thats unfair and unreasonable. If you were serious about selling it for 'whatever someone is willing to pay for it' auction it with no reserve.

[Gentlegamer]

Best thread since Bio Force Ape?

[JSoup]

Best thread since Bio Force Ape?

I kinda fond of that thread with the guy trying to get $20K or so to make another games database.

[Double Ugly]

Well I must say that Mike (the seller) has probably made a few mistakes but I also say that he has done nothing wrong. It is still basically "you're way of doing things is wrong because my way is right".

If he did know that there are larger collections out there why does that make it wrong to go for the record? Maybe the people with larger collections don't care about the record. If you're collecting & enjoying it you probably don't care about the record. If you're at a point where you're done & you want to sell then of course you want the title. You would want to do anything within your power to make the most money you could (particularly if you're selling something so large).

I thought mikes $700k estimate was high too but big deal. If he wants to try & sell it for that it is his prerogative & it does not effect anyone else. If it isn't worth the reserve then it won't sell & no one is hurt.

DreamTR, I'm not sure why you think mike selling his games for $700k would cost you money unless I misunderstood? If his sold for that much wouldn't yours be worth more once you claimed the record?

Also, Mike is not ripping anyone off, if someone overpays they are ripping themselves off. If they are using the internet to bid than they can research the estimated worth. If he is ripping someone off then everyone here has ripped someone off at some point & is no place to judge. He who is without sin, throw the first stone.

[bb_hood]

I kinda fond of that thread with the guy trying to get $20K or so to make another games database.

Yeah that one was awesome



Well I must say that Mike (the seller) has probably made a few mistakes but I also say that he has done nothing wrong.


Yeah sure, he hasnt punched any kittens or done anything 'wrong' but asking 750,000 for THAT collection is super greedy.
It just is. If you seriously look at the games for sale its freakin highway robbery.

[Nz17]

The hilarious thing is the ADMIN OF DP replied after you, clearly saw your post, and left the personal information intact.

I like to leave the moderating to the mods.

[camarotuner]

I mean no one to blame but yourself for the backlash, especially with this from your auction:

… and, as many of you know I have been involved in the gaming industry for 25+ years. Although I am selling this collection, please do not misunderstand and come to the conclusion that I am leaving the hobby. That is definitely not the case. I love games and they are pivotal part of my identity. I will continue to champion them. I will continue to write for periodicals and publish books, teach my college gaming classes, occasionally partake in competitive gaming, operate GDG’s Homebrew Heaven, publish new games and gaming products, write business plans, make appearances on television, film and radio, manage retail gaming stores, help with trade shows, work as a consultant for third parties, et cetera.



OK I wasn't going to say a word because I don't have a dog in this fight and it's turned into a fiasco. That being said, he does ALL THAT WORK and has never made more than 30k in a year? Does he do all this for FREE? If I was writing books and lecturing in colleges about games and all the crap listed above I sure as hell wouldn't be doing it for no money.

[Dangerboy]

Well, Kudos to you for quoting it so that the OP doesn't have the option to delete the data by removing it from their post. Dickery Boulevard is a two way street, you know...:onfire:

Would have given me a chance to contact the bidder and let them know they're being publicly hung out to dry. You know, breaking code of conduct on GameGavel and all that. Sadly now that it's gone, we'll never know.

But hey, look at that, it brought it to light and the Mods did their job on all accounts.

Try not to group me in with the dickery now, kay?

[MarioMania]

So what happened to the sale?

Was it fake to get notice

[JSoup]

OK I wasn't going to say a word because I don't have a dog in this fight and it's turned into a fiasco. That being said, he does ALL THAT WORK and has never made more than 30k in a year? Does he do all this for FREE? If I was writing books and lecturing in colleges about games and all the crap listed above I sure as hell wouldn't be doing it for no money.

Careful with those logical reasonings, man. The fanboys won't stand for it.

[badinsults]

I did not know that there *might* be a larger collection until well into the process with Guinness. I had mine documented through great effort through a long and grueling process. It took several years to reach the end. I certainly don't have the ability to stop others from contacting Guinness and have even encouraged others to pursue it - ask Syd. Years later, when the record was made official I was receiving a lot or press and realized that all the garnered attention might be beneficial in helping my family and really got the gears turning in my head that maybe, just maybe, I might play my cards right and come to the rescue. That is when I went on the whole PR campaign, or I should accurately say they came to me because the phone was ringing off the hook, news trucks lined up outside my home and my e-mail box was in a constant state of incoming mail. If you think that people's information is private, don't fool yourself. Everyone and their brother found me easily enough without me broadcasting it. I realized then that I had inadvertently put myself in front of the world in the hopes that I could do good, despite having to give up the games. Since that was the case, I figured that I would try and champion gaming and try and put out hobby in the best light in front of the world. I lost all privacy, had to get a home security system which I couldn't afford and was happy to do it as it *should* have been a temporary situation. I anticipated the collection selling and then my family could move forward and it all be behind me. People ridiculed me on this very message board about how foolish I was to advertise that I had all the games. They did not know that I was going to have to sell them all and that is why I went "touring" when it went public. I've been biting my tongue for over a year, so that I didn't spill the beans and ruin my one chance in my life to make good.

Oh, woe is you. You couldn't do a simple Google search, or even scan this very forum to find a larger collection? You personally know Joe Satulli and presumably are well aware that his collection is larger than yours (and if you didn't, that is willfull ignorance), but you still went for the "record". If you didn't want the attention, you didn't have to go through the record process, especially when you knew there were bigger collections. Of course, you saw the opportunity of using the record as leverage when you sold your games, so you went for it anyways. You would have to be living in a hole in this hobby to have never heard about DreamTR's collection, or any other other big collectors who frequent places like Digital Press. They aren't hiding.


As far as what the collection is worth - who REALLY knows? Sure, there is value in each item by itself, but as a whole it is another picture entirely. Do the other collectors have over 2,600 factory shrink-wrapped games direct from the distributor never even hitting store shelves? It is apples to oranges. I spent a lifetime acquiring them, choosing the best of each duplicate, completing sets, and that has a value. The Guinness name attached might give it value. I was asked in dozens of interviews what I thought it would sell for and I usually stated that I had no earthly idea and that it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I said that we would find out. Except that we didn't really find out as a result of shenanigans and we may never know because some people care more about harming others for kicks and giggles than discovering the truth on a fair and level playing field.

I don't know what kind of world you live in, but bulk sales of anything generally are worth less than individual items. Earlier in this thread, I said your set might be the exception, because you purposely did not bring attention to the actual content of your collection, and focused on the "Guinness Record". When I scanned your collection (which I didn't do initially), it became immediately clear that it was the only hook you had. Who really knows what it is worth? There are dozens of collectors on forums all over the Internet who can answer that question - high five figures at most. The amount of time it took to acquire this collection doesn't mean shit - someone who is going to actually buy a large lot like this is going to do their research, and realize that it isn't worth their time. Do you truly believe that your collection is worth $68 per game, as per your reserve? The only reason your auction went that high was because some troll bidders wanted to see how high it was. I predicted that would happen in the first post I made in this thread. If you didn't set a reserve, I predict you would have got a reasonable $60,000-$70,000 for this set. $5-$6 per game for your collection sounds pretty fair, if you ask me, considering the "record" is included.

There, I gave you a price, something that many people on this forum would clearly be able to give you. But you didn't ask, you just assumed that "no one knew". More than likely you know that your collection is worth about that as well, but you got greedy. I know you want to hit a home run here, so that you can ease your family problems, and I respect that. But you can't expect someone to pay 10x what your collection is worth because they feel sorry for you. And this is especially true when you feign ignorance of the vast community of video game collectors.

[Double Ugly]

-----Original Message-----
From: dreamtr <dreamtr@aol.com>
To: Philip.Robertson <Philip.Robertson@guinnessworldrecords.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 3, 2010 4:24 pm
Subject: Re: Largest video game collection world record?


HI Philip, I have sent the record submission as of last night.

(After this I sent some more emails for followup, and then this one after Michael's collection was basically plastered on the front page of everything ever)

"Philip, I never heard anything back from anyone contacting me, and I just noticed someone who has significantly less games than I do has the record"


7523

You and several others are remarking on how Mike sought the record while knowing the there were bigger collections out there yet you admit yourself to having submitted an application to be considered for the record after stating that there are at least 2 collections that you believe are bigger than yours. You mentioned to the Guinness rep that you knew of them & still pursued the record when he showed interest in you, so how can you blame Mike for pursuing the record even if (as you assume) he knew of larger collections?

Obviously if you believe that he did not know of the larger collections (as he states) then this point should be moot.

DreamTR, I do agree that Mike's list of what he is selling is lacking in desirable titles but may I ask you, if you needed to sell your collection for financial reasons (not because you lost interest) would you hold on to the rare titles to the last need?

Also, if you were to sell your collection could you estimate what percent of it would be considered filler by the users of this forum? My point is that anyone who is selling a collection of thousands of games, the overwhelming majority will be "filler".

Don't think that I am necessarily on Mike's side or agree with everything he has done, but anyone on trial should have someone to represent their point of view & I certainly believe he has been unfairly accused on some points.

[JSoup]

Funny thing I was told as a kid: Two wrongs don't make a right, regardless of which side you're on.

[Double Ugly]

OK I wasn't going to say a word because I don't have a dog in this fight and it's turned into a fiasco. That being said, he does ALL THAT WORK and has never made more than 30k in a year? Does he do all this for FREE? If I was writing books and lecturing in colleges about games and all the crap listed above I sure as hell wouldn't be doing it for no money.


I don't see how his income is relevant to this issue, but Mike, it might be helpful if you explained in more detail as so many people seem to have an issue with your income level (although, I imagine there is an asterisk involved in that statement).

Never mind, it is better if you don't explain as people will just say you're back peddling & that you can't think straight & that you should be euthanized because you are obviously a danger to society.

Everyone should consider Mike's income irrelevant until someone explains how it is relevant.

[Double Ugly]

Funny thing I was told as a kid: Two wrongs don't make a right, regardless of which side you're on.

Which two wrongs are you referring to?

Are you trying to say that defense lawyers are responsible for there clients crimes?

I suggest you stop saying things without thinking.

[badinsults]

I really don't know what you are going on about, Double Ugly. There are two main points that have been reiterated throughout this thread:

1) This is not the worlds largest video game collection. The Guinness label only is impressive to those who have absolutely no interest in video game collecting (and thus, not the people who would be interested in buying this).

2) That expecting to sell this at six figures, let alone high six figures, is ludicrous, considering the lack of high profile expensive titles.


You can go on defending the way this auction was handled based on the reason for Thomasson's sale, but in the end, selling this lot is business. Nobody is not going to throw away tens of thousands of dollars without researching what this collection is truly worth. Quite frankly, I don't care about what his reasoning for selling the lot is, but considering the above two points, you can't blame me or anyone else for thinking this was nothing more than a publicity stunt. Let's face it, the only serious bid in the whole auction was likely the Occulus Rift guy's, and he did his homework. Complaining that DreamTR somehow convinced him to not bid it up to crazy levels just shows the level of silliness that is involved.

[JSoup]

I suggest you stop saying things without thinking.

Dude, enough.
I and others have been drawing conclusions based on information provided, information that was backed up by the guy himself a few posts back.
This entire time, you've been saying "BUT BUT BUT NUH UH!" and providing nothing to counter what we've been saying besides "well MAYBE this!"
Supply an argument that is tangible and completely counters all that has been said, or do us the kindness of shutting up.

[Storyteller]

I have the biggest collection. I have all of the games that Michael has, plus some. Come, and gaze upon your next video game lord.

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx191/rchsmth/10505368_10152998172088266_6731805749076804957_n_z psef3f2d06.jpg (http://s755.photobucket.com/user/rchsmth/media/10505368_10152998172088266_6731805749076804957_n_z psef3f2d06.jpg.html)

[JSoup]

I have the biggest collection. I have all of the games that Michael has, plus some. Come, and gaze upon your next video game lord.

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx191/rchsmth/10505368_10152998172088266_6731805749076804957_n_z psef3f2d06.jpg (http://s755.photobucket.com/user/rchsmth/media/10505368_10152998172088266_6731805749076804957_n_z psef3f2d06.jpg.html)

Maruchan is such junk.
Kung-Fo (Korean brand) is better.

[Storyteller]

Maruchan is such junk.
Kung-Fo (Korean brand) is better.

at the end of the day, it's all stomach filler though

[Mayhem]

Everyone should consider Mike's income irrelevant until someone explains how it is relevant.
I'm going to take a stab at the logic that other people are probably using during this "discussion". The basic premise is, if Mike is making no more than $30k per year AND has a family to provide for, how is he able to build any kind of collection up? Common sense vaguely suggests that you should put your family first, and by doing that, you shouldn't have much, if any, money left to spend on video games. But as he has been able to spend on videogames, then he must be neglecting his family in some way. Although just because A means B, doesn't also prove B means A.

How is this relevant to the actual argument about the World's Biggest Collection? Not a lot, bar the surprise that how can someone earning so little acquire so many games, except for the reasonable conclusion that the vast majority of the games must be commons and cheap filler, because that's all Mike realistically would be able to afford given his situation. And low and behold, many people are saying just that, the collection has barely anything rare and solely valuable in it at all. The projected value of the collection is riding on the Guinness title, and nothing else.

[Jorpho]

except for the reasonable conclusion that the vast majority of the games must be commons and cheap filler, because that's all Mike realistically would be able to afford given his situation.Hard work and/or luck might count for something.


The projected value of the collection is riding on the Guinness title, and nothing else.I think that's probably something everyone can agree on.

[InsaneDavid]

Best thread since Bio Force Ape?


I kinda fond of that thread with the guy trying to get $20K or so to make another games database.

Nah, TheGam3r getting "aboned" at the scavenger hunt is still the best.

[camarotuner]

I don't see how his income is relevant to this issue, but Mike, it might be helpful if you explained in more detail as so many people seem to have an issue with your income level (although, I imagine there is an asterisk involved in that statement).

Never mind, it is better if you don't explain as people will just say you're back peddling & that you can't think straight & that you should be euthanized because you are obviously a danger to society.

Everyone should consider Mike's income irrelevant until someone explains how it is relevant.

How is it relevant? Simple, credibility. He stated he's never made more than 30k in a year. Then he lists the seemingly endless jobs he holds down or does involving gaming. Which doesn't make sense unless he's not paid for most of those jobs. So when you want 3/4 of a million dollars for your collection it raises serious questions about the validity of anything you say.

One could argue he tossed in all those jobs he does into the auction description to make himself sound make of an authority on the subject. But if that's the case authorities on subject matters are usually paid for their knowledge.

See the problem?

[bb_hood]

I think its alot more likely that hes just not being accurate about the 30K a year.
Probably just threw it out there so people think hes got financial problems.
I doubt his children are starving.

[camarotuner]

I think its alot more likely that hes just not being accurate about the 30K a year.
Probably just threw it out there so people think hes got financial problems.
I doubt his children are starving.

Oh I don't think his children are starving or anything of that nature. Frankly the whole "neglect" thing is none of my concern. The only thing that struck me was that if you are going to lie you must do so consistently and remember everything or you'll trip yourself up. If you say you make no more than 30k per year but have this battery of jobs involving gaming something doesn't add up. Unless those "jobs" didn't pay you.

[rolenta]

Oh I don't think his children are starving or anything of that nature. Frankly the whole "neglect" thing is none of my concern. The only thing that struck me was that if you are going to lie you must do so consistently and remember everything or you'll trip yourself up. If you say you make no more than 30k per year but have this battery of jobs involving gaming something doesn't add up. Unless those "jobs" didn't pay you.

Not that it is anybody's business, Michael has two paying jobs. He's an adjunct professor and an associate at GameStop. Neither job doesn't pay too much. The money that GDG makes stays in GDG. The articles that he has written for books and magazines have only been for contributor's copies.

There are two separate issues here that everybody is harping about: "The World's Largest Videogame Collection" and the "Auction of the World's Largest Videogame Collection".

Concerning the collection: Michael beat the record that Guinness had posted. Whether anyone else had a larger record is irrelevant. They are welcome to contact Guinness and go through the same process that Michael went through. If they don't want their collection publicized is another issue. Does that mean no one is allowed to break a record just because there is a larger one? I don't think so. Michael did not get any favors while going through the submission process with Guinness, although he did have one lucky break. The Director of the Strong Museum was only an hour away and was approved by Guinness as an expert witness. Regarding the publicity Michael has received, he didn't go after it. Perhaps Guinness alerted the press, or someone who read the book, I don't know. All I know they called him and he responded. Yes, I too was troubled when he talked about the "World's largest Collection" when there was controversy that there were larger ones, but what is he supposed to do? And I have asked myself everyday what I would have done if I was in his place. In many cases, the press just got the story wrong. And these incorrect articles were then picked up by other news agencies around the world. Yes, I was upset at times. I didn't like the idea that Guinness said he had more "games and hardware than" every one when I knew he didn't have more consoles than me, and I pointed that out to him before the book was published that they should change that heading because his record was for software only. I had hoped he would have told Guinness about that but he didn't. Again, I can only wonder what I would have done if I was in his place.

About the auction: Okay, so we all know the collection wasn't worth more than $75K-$100K, and he should never have valued it so high or placed a reserve so high. I don't know where he got that number from. But any bidder could have easily asked him the condition of the games. Damn, if I was bidding that much I would insist I knew what I was getting.

Anyone who knows Michael knows he is a sincere, honest individual. I am proud to call him my friend. My wife calls him The Martyr because he cares for his family and friends before himself. He has even turned down high paying jobs in other parts of the country because his wife couldn't leave her elderly mother. DreamTR, if he said he didn't remember meeting you, then he really didn't remember you. In honesty, I probably also met you at CGE but I don't remember you by name, perhaps I would recognize you in a picture. And I don't think Michael should have had to search the web to see if there was a bigger collection than his. That was due diligence that Guinness should have done. Unfortunately, Guinness is just a money-making business so if they had someone who went to them, they would want to milk it for all its worth (they offer different services for money, such as an expert witness for $7000. Michael didn't pay them anything and was forced to wait months for their verdict when for a few thousand pounds he could have received an answer right after the count.

Most people don't know that Michael has gone through many tribulations in his life yet he has remained cheerful and positive. I know I'm not going to change anybody's opinion of him after what went on. I do want to say that perhaps he is guilty of being too naïve. But please believe me that it was never his intention to defraud anyone.

[Double Ugly]

Dude, enough.
I and others have been drawing conclusions based on information provided, information that was backed up by the guy himself a few posts back.
This entire time, you've been saying "BUT BUT BUT NUH UH!" and providing nothing to counter what we've been saying besides "well MAYBE this!"
Supply an argument that is tangible and completely counters all that has been said, or do us the kindness of shutting up.

I believe your conclusions to be based on false assumptions. I am being reasonable & trying to ask specific questions however those questions are not being answered (including quite a few that were directed towards you). Here are a few more questions that you will probably not answer:

What is wrong with using the words "but" & "maybe"? I am asking about other plausible explanations but most of the people nay-saying mike seem to have tunnel vision about what the sellers motivation is.

I believe my argument has been filled with counterpoints to specific issues. Again I say, my questions are not being answered.

Can you please show me an example of where my argument has been intangible?



Missed the part about him not making more than 30K a year ever, did you?
Missed the part about him having a collection worth, what was that number you pulled out of your ass? Oh, right, $500K+.
Given how much it costs to collect games these days, that level of disconnect suggests some major priority issues or out right neglect.

Your conclusion is that he has neglected his family, correct? Can you please explain in what ways he has neglected them?
Could you answer this or tell me if I misunderstood you?


Everyone should consider Mike's income irrelevant until someone explains how it is relevant.

Can you (or anyone) explain how his income is relevant to this sale? If he is lying about his income how does it matter?

[Double Ugly]

I really don't know what you are going on about, Double Ugly. There are two main points that have been reiterated throughout this thread:

1) This is not the worlds largest video game collection. The Guinness label only is impressive to those who have absolutely no interest in video game collecting (and thus, not the people who would be interested in buying this).

I don't disagree with any of this. Now can you explain why the seller should be ridiculed for this?

It is not the worlds largest but Mike took the record from the last record holder so now it is fairly his. It is not Mikes or even Guinness's responsibility to make sure the true largest collection gets the record, it is only the responsibility of the owner of that collection. Nobody asked or required any of us to be impressed by the record.


2) That expecting to sell this at six figures, let alone high six figures, is ludicrous, considering the lack of high profile expensive titles.

Maybe it is ludicrous. Should the seller be ridiculed for selling it at a price that no one will buy it at? He is only hurting himself. But why should people that are not interested in buying the collection be complaining about what Mike is doing with his personal property? I see games I want for sale on ebay at exorbitant prices all of the time but I just pass it by because I know I'm not going to convince the seller that it isn't worth what they want.



You can go on defending the way this auction was handled based on the reason for Thomasson's sale, but in the end, selling this lot is business. Nobody is not going to throw away tens of thousands of dollars without researching what this collection is truly worth. Quite frankly, I don't care about what his reasoning for selling the lot is, but considering the above two points, you can't blame me or anyone else for thinking this was nothing more than a publicity stunt. Let's face it, the only serious bid in the whole auction was likely the Occulus Rift guy's, and he did his homework. Complaining that DreamTR somehow convinced him to not bid it up to crazy levels just shows the level of silliness that is involved.

You are probably right on most of your points here & I would tend to agree with what you said. One question though:

If this was a publicity stunt, what is wrong with that?

[camarotuner]

Can you (or anyone) explain how his income is relevant to this sale? If he is lying about his income how does it matter?

Because if you want people to take you seriously and trust you with bids in excess of 100k on an item YOU SHOULD PROBABLY NOT LIE WHILE RUNNING THE AUCTION. It brings up credibility issues immediately and then people start to question everything he's said. So if he's running lectures, writing for books, while doing whatever the hell else he claimed to be doing in the auction and his income comes up at less than 30k that's just depressing.

That's why it matters. In business you have to trust the person you're doing business with. When we're talking six figure transactions the guys reputation has to be sterling. That seems to be why everyone is upset. I bet if the guy just put the listing on ebay as "gigantic video game collection of 10,000+ titles", mentioned in passing the Guinness thing and then in the next immediate sentence mentioning that there are larger collections that aren't documented by Guinness that the pushback would have been far less severe. No instead he used that to hype the sale, his mothers health/income level to elicit sympathy, and then came here with 2 friends in tow to try and back up his actions. All of this would/could have been avoided by going about the sale differently.

[fergojisan]

Many people have said that the lure of Michael's auction was for the world record. Is this record transferable to another person? I have read that Michael has kept back some of his rarer games. If this is true, then it would be a different collection, and the person that buys it should have to go through the same process that Michael did.

[Double Ugly]

Because if you want people to take you seriously and trust you with bids in excess of 100k on an item YOU SHOULD PROBABLY NOT LIE WHILE RUNNING THE AUCTION. It brings up credibility issues immediately and then people start to question everything he's said. So if he's running lectures, writing for books, while doing whatever the hell else he claimed to be doing in the auction and his income comes up at less than 30k that's just depressing.

That's why it matters. In business you have to trust the person you're doing business with. When we're talking six figure transactions the guys reputation has to be sterling. That seems to be why everyone is upset. I bet if the guy just put the listing on ebay as "gigantic video game collection of 10,000+ titles", mentioned in passing the Guinness thing and then in the next immediate sentence mentioning that there are larger collections that aren't documented by Guinness that the pushback would have been far less severe. No instead he used that to hype the sale, his mothers health/income level to elicit sympathy, and then came here with 2 friends in tow to try and back up his actions. All of this would/could have been avoided by going about the sale differently.

You make a good point & I agree that if he downright lied about his income simply to gain some sympathy from the users here he certainly did wrong & is not inviting confidence. However, I did say before that there probably is an asterisk at the end his statement about his income. The problem I see here with everyone being upset that he "lied" about his income is that they seem to be upset that he "lied" but are not questioning the validity of the auction. People aren't saying that buyers shouldn't trust him because he lied, they are lambasting him for any reason they can find because they don't like him.

If he had created the listing that you described do you think he would be as likely to sell it for as much? As I said before, what is wrong with trying to get attention for a sale? The seller is responsible to be honest about the items he is selling, he is not responsible to make sure potential buyers know about items out there that are superior to his. If you sell something do you make sure all the potential buyers know that there are items that might be better? It is the buyers responsibility to research. If Mike had said in his listing that his collection is the largest on earth then you would be right (because he would be lying/ignorant) but that is not what he said. Also, he made a very valid point as to why he didn't want to sell on ebay.

What is wrong with him using his record to hype the sale?

He did not use his mothers health/income level to elicit sympathy from buyers. Both of those things were only talked about here & he stated them to help explain his motivation to sell.

What he said in the listing is:

"I simply have an immediate family and extended family that have needs that need to be addressed. While I do not wish to part with these games, I have responsibilities that I have made to others and this action is how I will help meet them. No worries, I’ve sold my collection many times in the past and still managed to capture Guinness’ attention, and it is entirely possible that I may again."

It does not sound like he was going for sympathy.

People seem to think Mike owes them something. Put yourself in his shoes, what would you do?

[Double Ugly]

Many people have said that the lure of Michael's auction was for the world record. Is this record transferable to another person? I have read that Michael has kept back some of his rarer games. If this is true, then it would be a different collection, and the person that buys it should have to go through the same process that Michael did.

You make a good point. It is assumed that he is holding back some games but we don't know for sure. If he is holding back games that were included in the record then I don't think the record would be transferable. If he is trying to sell the collection as delineated by the record without some of the items that were included in the collection when the record was verified then that is obviously deceptive & should not be tolerated. Of course it is speculation at this point, we can't be sure without more information.

[rolenta]

You make a good point. It is assumed that he is holding back some games but we don't know for sure. If he is holding back games that were included in the record then I don't think the record would be transferable. If he is trying to sell the collection as delineated by the record without some of the items that were included in the collection when the record was verified then that is obviously deceptive & should not be tolerated. Of course it is speculation at this point, we can't be sure without more information.

The Guinness record is not transferable. Michael's "record" was 10,607 games, but as the listing says, he's also including the games that he acquired since the count on December 3, 2012. This includes every game that was counted and more for a total of over 11,000 games. If anyone buys the collection they are welcome to contact Guinness and break Michael's "record".

[bb_hood]

You make a good point. It is assumed that he is holding back some games but we don't know for sure. If he is holding back games that were included in the record then I don't think the record would be transferable. If he is trying to sell the collection as delineated by the record without some of the items that were included in the collection when the record was verified then that is obviously deceptive & should not be tolerated. Of course it is speculation at this point, we can't be sure without more information.

Most likely, he planned on selling the entire collection after he got the award & the recognition. So before he got the award he probably cherry picked the good games out and filled the collection with atari 2600 games worth less than 1$ and sealed xbox sports games. How else can you account for the amount of cheap games and the lack of quite a few common/uncommon pricey games?

[camarotuner]

"I have an immediate family and extended family that have needs that need to be addressed. While I do not wish to part with these games, I have responsibilities that I have made to others and this auction is how I will help meet them."

If you put that in your listing, you're trying to elicit sympathy. Oh poor me I have financial responsibilities and a family and need to sell this massive collection of games to provide for them. Who gives a crap. If you're selling your collection just sell it. WHY is irrelevant to the buyers unless you put it in there.

"What is wrong with him using his record to hype the sale?"

Why is it wrong to use a record he went for while ignoring the better collections that anyone who frequents collecting forums is aware of? Um, yeah that's the reason basically. He's basically hoping whoever buys this doesn't immediately search and find out there are bigger and better collections. So at best it's shady.

"Put yourself in his shoes, what would you do?"

Instead of spending money collecting crap games in quantity in some vain attempt at getting a record from Guinness I would have put the money into a savings account for when my family responsibilities came up. When you choose to have a family it comes at a cost, sometimes you have to sacrifice doing things to provide. So if he keeps collecting these massive collections then selling them when a bill comes due just to start over again the man's got some serious priority issues. So if I wanted the world's biggest game collection I would first and foremost not be trying to do it on a annual income of 30k and secondly I wouldn't do it with having family responsibilities on top of that.

[Greg2600]

Can we please leave Mr. Thomasson's livelihood and family situation out of the debate? Quite frankly, can ANYONE in this thread look in the mirror and swear their game collecting never got in the way of family or other responsibilities? Glass houses people, glass houses.
I would also hope that Michael and Jason (DreamTR) could take their disagreement off-line, because both are good reasonable guys, who I feel are above airing laundry on this place. :cheers:

[Oobgarm]

Not that it is anybody's business, Michael has two paying jobs. He's an adjunct professor and an associate at GameStop. Neither job doesn't pay too much. The money that GDG makes stays in GDG. The articles that he has written for books and magazines have only been for contributor's copies.

There are two separate issues here that everybody is harping about: "The World's Largest Videogame Collection" and the "Auction of the World's Largest Videogame Collection".

Concerning the collection: Michael beat the record that Guinness had posted. Whether anyone else had a larger record is irrelevant. They are welcome to contact Guinness and go through the same process that Michael went through. If they don't want their collection publicized is another issue. Does that mean no one is allowed to break a record just because there is a larger one? I don't think so. Michael did not get any favors while going through the submission process with Guinness, although he did have one lucky break. The Director of the Strong Museum was only an hour away and was approved by Guinness as an expert witness. Regarding the publicity Michael has received, he didn't go after it. Perhaps Guinness alerted the press, or someone who read the book, I don't know. All I know they called him and he responded. Yes, I too was troubled when he talked about the "World's largest Collection" when there was controversy that there were larger ones, but what is he supposed to do? And I have asked myself everyday what I would have done if I was in his place. In many cases, the press just got the story wrong. And these incorrect articles were then picked up by other news agencies around the world. Yes, I was upset at times. I didn't like the idea that Guinness said he had more "games and hardware than" every one when I knew he didn't have more consoles than me, and I pointed that out to him before the book was published that they should change that heading because his record was for software only. I had hoped he would have told Guinness about that but he didn't. Again, I can only wonder what I would have done if I was in his place.

About the auction: Okay, so we all know the collection wasn't worth more than $75K-$100K, and he should never have valued it so high or placed a reserve so high. I don't know where he got that number from. But any bidder could have easily asked him the condition of the games. Damn, if I was bidding that much I would insist I knew what I was getting.

Anyone who knows Michael knows he is a sincere, honest individual. I am proud to call him my friend. My wife calls him The Martyr because he cares for his family and friends before himself. He has even turned down high paying jobs in other parts of the country because his wife couldn't leave her elderly mother. DreamTR, if he said he didn't remember meeting you, then he really didn't remember you. In honesty, I probably also met you at CGE but I don't remember you by name, perhaps I would recognize you in a picture. And I don't think Michael should have had to search the web to see if there was a bigger collection than his. That was due diligence that Guinness should have done. Unfortunately, Guinness is just a money-making business so if they had someone who went to them, they would want to milk it for all its worth (they offer different services for money, such as an expert witness for $7000. Michael didn't pay them anything and was forced to wait months for their verdict when for a few thousand pounds he could have received an answer right after the count.

Most people don't know that Michael has gone through many tribulations in his life yet he has remained cheerful and positive. I know I'm not going to change anybody's opinion of him after what went on. I do want to say that perhaps he is guilty of being too naïve. But please believe me that it was never his intention to defraud anyone.

I haven't contributed much to the proceedings here...but isn't this a good enough response to end this on? I mean, no one is going to convince anyone else that their opinion is wrong, I think we've established that.

[Greg2600]

Haven't contributed much to the proceedings here, but isn't this a good enough response to end this on? I mean, no one is going to convince anyone else that their opinion is wrong, I think we've established that.

I would be fine with locking the thread....

[Double Ugly]

I would be fine with locking the thread....

Go for it (OP here).

[portnoyd]

We really need to rename this thread The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Michael Thomasson.

[Double Ugly]

"I have an immediate family and extended family that have needs that need to be addressed. While I do not wish to part with these games, I have responsibilities that I have made to others and this auction is how I will help meet them."

If you put that in your listing, you're trying to elicit sympathy. Oh poor me I have financial responsibilities and a family and need to sell this massive collection of games to provide for them. Who gives a crap. If you're selling your collection just sell it. WHY is irrelevant to the buyers unless you put it in there.

"What is wrong with him using his record to hype the sale?"

Why is it wrong to use a record he went for while ignoring the better collections that anyone who frequents collecting forums is aware of? Um, yeah that's the reason basically. He's basically hoping whoever buys this doesn't immediately search and find out there are bigger and better collections. So at best it's shady.

"Put yourself in his shoes, what would you do?"


Instead of spending money collecting crap games in quantity in some vain attempt at getting a record from Guinness I would have put the money into a savings account for when my family responsibilities came up. When you choose to have a family it comes at a cost, sometimes you have to sacrifice doing things to provide. So if he keeps collecting these massive collections then selling them when a bill comes due just to start over again the man's got some serious priority issues. So if I wanted the world's biggest game collection I would first and foremost not be trying to do it on a annual income of 30k and secondly I wouldn't do it with having family responsibilities on top of that.


It is important to establish your motive for selling. It is something buyers want to know in big private sales.

I have already made posts about why him going for the record is not shady.

I will use a track & field example again. If two olympic level athletes are training 100m sprints together & athlete A breaks the world record (by 2 seconds) but it wont be recorded because it is just a training session, does that mean that athlete B should not accept the record if he beats the verified record by 1 second at an official meet? If athlete A wants the record then he is responsible for making it happens, not athlete B & not which ever authority verifies records.

I have discussed the sellers collecting habits enough. That is nobodies business but his. You are criticizing him based on conclusions you have drawn about somebody you do not know, not based on facts. Anyone with that many games who has been collecting for 25 years & has worked in the video game business probably got most of them at highly discounted prices.

[stardust4ever]

I would be fine with locking the thread....


Go for it (OP here).


We really need to rename this thread The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Michael Thomasson.

+1 Seriously guys, this topic has been beat to hell and nothing good will come of allowing it to continue.

[badinsults]

I really don't think you need to drag the guy's personal life into it. There are enough reasons to point and laugh at this auction without bringing that up, as I pointed out in the first page of this topic.


Really, the damage is done. I don't think he is going to be able to sell this lot for anywhere close to what he thinks it is worth, and really, for all the time it will take to pack it up and document it, it might not be worth bothering with at a lower price.

[The Adventurer]

We really need to rename this thread The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Michael Thomasson.

More like Jealous Retro-Gamers Get Butt Hurt

[Michael Thomasson]

A lot of the press is inaccurate - heck, they can't even spell my name right half the time. I did not cherry pick any games, the games from the count are all included, plus about 400 more. Many of you attacked me on being "greedy" but did not even bother the check the facts. Saying that asking 750K was ridiculous while not even checking to see that the reserve was several hundred thousand dollars below that number.

You say that I do not care for my family. I threw three degrees out the window to move my wife to her home state to be with her family and then became a stay-at-home pop when my first daughter was born, working nights and weekends to still help support my family while offering my daughter the best of care at great sacrifice. I have never not supported my family. I didn't want to put a sob story as to why I'm selling the games and was very vague about it, perhaps that was a mistake. My mother has many things killing her, but the more immediate is kidney failure. She is at stage four at this moment and nearing stage five. She is not a candidate for dialysis. My sister has Lupus. Many people can live their lives with it, but hers seems to be more aggressive than others. She is scheduled to check into the MAYO clinic in Florida the first week of August. She has four children. One is old enough to care for himself and one is living with her father. The other two are teenagers and will need care when she is gone. I have not ignored my family's needs, I'm selling to try and get ahead of the situation.

You question my income and how I could have acquired all these games. Well, I've operated almost a dozen stores for two and a half decades, and before my current employer, I was allowed to purchase the games at the price they came in, so I did this like the Tortoise and the Hare, slowly prodding along buying these games long before collecting became popular before they all shot up in value and became in vogue.

I owe none of you anything, but I am adding my latest W2 forms below this post and one of my mothers medical bills. Trust me, I have stacks of them. You call me greedy, but I am not doing this for me, I am doing it for others and giving up my collection in the process. That is the opposite of greed. I've done so many gaming jobs pro bono I've lost count and I've done it for the love of the hobby. I used to volunteer at the Bluegrass Electronics Center reprogramming games and hardware for disabled kids so they could enjoy our favorite hobby and more. Those of you that are attacking me, why don't you tell me about your volunteer work and philanthropy for others.

[Michael Thomasson]

**Images of a personal financial nature removed**

[badinsults]

Dude, why are you posting this. It isn't going to help you. I honestly don't think your personal life needs to be brought into this.

If you need money, I think you are going to have to split your collection into individual lots, maybe per system. If you are lucky, you will make enough money to make your life comfortable for a while. Selling off 11,000 games in one lot is not going to be easy, and I doubt you will find someone willing to pay 6 figures. If you don't think it is worth selling if you can't get what your reserve was, then you are not going to sell it.

[Double Ugly]

Dude, why are you posting this. It isn't going to help you. I honestly don't think your personal life needs to be brought into this.

If you need money, I think you are going to have to split your collection into individual lots, maybe per system. If you are lucky, you will make enough money to make your life comfortable for a while. Selling off 11,000 games in one lot is not going to be easy, and I doubt you will find someone willing to pay 6 figures. If you don't think it is worth selling if you can't get what your reserve was, then you are not going to sell it.

Also, as sad as it is, if you put it up for auction I think that there are people here that will do everything they can to make it fail.

[Storyteller]

I am looking for the Variant of Sonic Does Math where he's smoking a joint on the cover. It was originally given out to Sonic Team employees at a Christmas party. Anyone know what I'm talking about, and/or anyone have it for sale? Will pay $$$

[badinsults]

Also, as sad as it is, if you put it up for auction I think that there are people here that will do everything they can to make it fail.

Nobody here made this auction fail. If you look at the RF Generation thread, you will see that a couple of posters there bid on it when it was in excess of $90,000, purely because they knew that it was below the reserve. Their intentions weren't malicious, either, they wanted to see it get closer to the reserve. The thing that made this auction fail was the excessive reserve, which was achieved purely due to troll bidding. I doubt the handful of people who are still active on DP are so malicious that they would screw with the actual auction, and if they are, I condemn it as well. I don't like to see a man suffer, and if you look at Thomasson's last few posts, that clearly is the case.

Still, let's be realistic here. As I said in the first page, this auction was inadequate in every way. There is not a comprehensive list of everything that the buyer is getting. It was posted on a little used auction site that was in over their head. If he is serious about selling it as a lot, he need to get all the bidders to place a certain amount of money in escrow. $200 in escrow would probably repel any troll bidder from bothering. The reserve needs to be lowered significantly. And finally, stop bringing up the personal family situation, don't use that as a crutch to prop up this auction. Anyone who is serious about bidding on this collection is probably not going to give a premium because of that.

[portnoyd]

I'll say it again:

Michael Thomasson, please stop posting in this thread.

Seriously, just stop.

If it helps, I take back the claims about you not truly wanting to sell this collection. I was wrong. On first glance, it didn't make sense why someone would validate their collection like this, only to turn it around nine months later to cash out. You've made your point.

However, I stand my ground regarding using the Guinness record as a booster for the collection sale. That was a mistake. You could have spent that year+ individually selling the pieces of the collection for maximum value and gotten more than you are now.

It's also a mistake you are paying for. What's more valuable than any of our collections? Privacy.

[Oobgarm]

I'll say it again:

Michael Thomasson, please stop posting in this thread.

Seriously, just stop.


Quoted for emphasis, color, and Comic Sans.

[InsaneDavid]

Now even the thread title is complete BS! I wanted to read nine pages of Sega Pico variant information, maybe something about the Sega Beena, but nooooo~!

[JSoup]

Quite frankly, can ANYONE in this thread look in the mirror and swear their game collecting never got in the way of family or other responsibilities?

I can. And I highly doubt I'm the only one.

[bb_hood]

At this point we know more about Thomasson's family situation than the actual contents of the auction.

[JSoup]

At this point we know more about Thomasson's family situation than the actual contents of the auction.

All according to plan.