A reflection of why I collect...a note to others...

[swlovinist]

Today has been a big reflection of myself on why I collect games. I collect games because I am passionate about not only the interesting history behind video games, but the various stages and interesting platforms games has evolved from. I collect games because it is a hobby to that is interactive and enjoyable. I love to share my knowledge freely with others, if only to educate others on a time period or game system that they never knew about. I truly feel that is why MANY on this site collect...however I have been increasingly avoidant of this site for a couple of reasons. It disturbs me when I hear a rant on somebody bragging on how they ripped someone off of a good game, or how Billy Joe Bob started sniffling because someone agressively challenged his hella lowball offer. Also, trading and selling items on this site has been quite a joke...its seems the selfish side of people has outweighed honesty many times with false information and vulture attitudes. I truly feel that this site was made for the same reasons I collect and love games. The core of the people on this site I truly feel are doing it for the right reasons, it is just that I feel some others are ruining the experience for me enough for me to express myself. I am very passionate person, as well as an honest one. This statement was made to challenge some collectors on this site to truly look within themselves on why they collect...I challenge everyone today to freely be honest with other fellow collectors on what something is truly worth...without having personal agendas to meet. While I feel that this post wont get me any love...I dont care, because it is what I am passionate about

[Kid Ice]

Also, trading and selling items on this site has been quite a joke...its seems the selfish side of people has outweighed honesty many times with false information and vulture attitudes.

I strongly disagree with this statement. There are many reliable sellers and traders on the board. I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at here; can you qualify this with some examples?

[Flack]

Swlovinist, I hear what you are saying, but I think you're letting a few sour apples spoil the whole pie for you.

I collect because these are the systems I had as a child. I grew up on the Atari 2600, the Odyssey II, the Commodore 64. I really have no interest in "serious" collecting for the stuff I didn't own (for the most part -- there are exceptions to every rule). Whenever I run across an Atari game I had as a child, I buy it, I take it home, and I play it. When people come over, I show it to them. I show it to you all. Ultimately though, I bought it for my own enjoyment. If DP disappeared tomorrow and I saw an Atari game I wanted the day afterwards, I'd still pick it up.

There are posts here from time to time I don't agree with. There are a few attitudes that I don't care for, a few arguments I could live without ... hell, a few people I could live without.

But see, here's the deal. Not to sound like "Mister Positive" or anything, but I don't let those people ruin my day. I try to be positive around those people. I try not to get dragged into that negativity (sometimes I fail, but hey, we're only human, right?) At the end of the day, there's nothing that anyone can say to me that will change who I am or how or why I collect. A while back there was a big thread about how collecting PC software is "pointless" ... didn't bother me, I still pick up PC and C64 games when I see them because that's what *I* like to do!

My personal experience has been for every person with a bad attitude, there have been ten or even a hundred with great attitudes who want to talk and share and laugh about collecting games. I haven't had a bad deal buying from the buying and selling forum yet -- in fact, off the top of my head I know nesuser2 and k8track have given me extra and even free games and other bonus items for buying from them.

This is all a long winded way of saying, don't worry about those few negative people. Keep doing what you're doing, jump in on the bandwagon and talk and post about what you like, and don't get caught up in all those pointless arguments. After all, they're only games, right?

http://members.cox.net/robohara/getalong.jpg

[-hellvin-]

I kinda disagree with the bad sellers as well. Everyone I have dealt with so far on this forum I think I have gotten very good deals on what I have bought over how much it would cost at a game store or ebay + the rediculously high shipping/driving costs. My 2 cents.

[Querjek]

I kinda disagree with the bad sellers as well. Everyone I have dealt with so far on this forum I think I have gotten very good deals on what I have bought over how much it would cost at a game store or ebay + the rediculously high shipping/driving costs. My 2 cents.
Yeah. Well, I have met and traded with a few people that weren't the nicest I've ever met or had trading rules that I think are very good, but I've still traded with them. When I go to trade with someone, I always to be extra nice because the bad people have either not come here to begin with, or have been shunned by the mods. Sure, some people try to rip others off, but there really aren't that many out there, especially here.

[omnedon]

This very likely has nothing to do with me BUT...

Just because I make money from the hobby, does not mean I love video games any less.

:)

[whoisKeel]

Hmmm, I've always thought the general attitude here was pretty positive, especially considering this is a fairly high traffic forum. I have nothing but good things to say about the buying and selling forum, although that only includes about 5 small transactions. I think everybody here collects for different reasons (some for nostalgia, some are more of gamers, some are completists) but we all still share a passion for games. I'm pretty new to collecting still, but I've found this site to be both very informative (and never misinformative) and just a great place to talk about games. It seems almost everyone here is trying to help one another out. The irony is that this is the most negative post i've read in a day or two LOL

[jonjandran]

I've done around 100 trades/buy/sell etc on this forum and haven't had a single bad experience. :hmm:

I LOVE this Forum. :D

[kai123]

I would agree with the original poster about someone trying to rip someone off but it is very easy to check ebay for what the going rate is on something. Also there is a complete free guide to your left with prices and rarity ratings. I have traded with a few people on here and have had no problems.

On the subject of collecting I don't think anybody has the right to tell anybody how they collect. If I want buy every copy of a rare game that comes along and smash it with a hammer you can't tell me not to do it.

So quit being so melodramatic about your bad trades. If you have had a bad trade and can't get it resolved yourself then make a post about it and let everyone know what happened so we can try to help. We are a community after all.

[Ed Oscuro]

or how Billy Joe Bob started sniffling because someone agressively challenged his hella lowball offer.
Brags about really good deals are one thing but this I really can't remember reading about. I've only read a few "rejection" stories here and they are usually the text equivalent of a shrug.

As for buying and selling here being a joke...

...with the exception of Buttasuperb sneaking in a copy of Balloon Boy/Funny World in a Genesis lot I bought from him LOL ...

...this is one of the major places I buy stuff! I can't believe somebody thinks there aren't good deals to be had here. I got a $30.55 new Tandy CoCo3 (after S&H)...that's bad? We must be looking at different selling threads, I guess.

[GamecubeFreek]

Since I never buy or sell anything over the internet, I cannot make a comment on that area. But I thought that swlovinist had some great points about why people collect games (the history and all), and it is exactly what I would say to describe my gaming and collecting passion. This may have been a little off topic, seeing as where the discussion was headed, but I just wanted to show appreciation for a well written post......

[swlovinist]

My reflections were an accumuliation of having been an avid member of this site well over a year. In that year, I have seen mostly positive information and trades, but I have also seen and experienced people participate as cheap and selfish collectors. I know I am one of few to even bring this up as an issue, but then agian, I am just making an observation.

[swlovinist]

My reflections were an accumuliation of having been an avid member of this site well over a year. In that year, I have seen mostly positive information and trades, but I have also seen and experienced people participate as cheap and selfish collectors. I know I am one of few to even bring this up as an issue, but then agian, I am just making an observation.

[Ed Oscuro]

Also, trading and selling items on this site has been quite a joke...its seems the selfish side of people has outweighed honesty many times with false information and vulture attitudes.
I don't have any reason to get defensive about this, but what you just wrote doesn't jive with your original post. Are you backpedaling, or do you still feel that's true?

[Half Japanese]

Here's the original post, abbreviated and more to the point:


Everyone who doesn't do things exactly like I do and think ideally like I do is wrong, and therefore a bastard. Blah Blah Blah.

I'd assume most people here go in knowing what an item is worth before they try to sell it, and especially before they try to buy it. And let's not forget, something's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

[Ed Oscuro]

Furthermore, it takes two people to complete a sale - if they don't want to sell it they don't have to.

[Darth Sensei]

In every internet forum there are abrasive personalities. In fact, several people might have even found me abrasive at times. ::sarcasm::

However, the attitude here is overwhemingly positive. Also, the deals to be had in the B&S forum are much better on average than Ebay. I've had several buys on this forum, most recently an Atari Jaguar (from FABombjoy), and they've all went off without a hitch.

D

[Goblin]

Largely I agree with the first post. My participation here comes in cycles. I like to only participate in threads I can contribute to. Unfortunately not everyone does the same.

There are a few abrasive personalities, but if you notice they tend to depart just a quickly as they arrive. Any while some of the arrogant posts bother me, what I hate even more are stupid posts like "How did I do?" - If you have a brag call it out, I refuse to read these teaser posts. Half the time they turn out being dirty nes carts the poster got for $5/each. If you purchased something retail and paid book price you didn't do well. Stop bothering us this them. This is a hobby and the board should help share information, too many people are treating it like the stock market.

Maybe once source of my frustration is that I've been around since the ez-board days and have seen all these topics all discussed before. Now I can hardly be bothered to read them. Information now is so available, a few minutes searching will usually yield the answer.

Anyway my rant is now over... you may resume your scheduled programming.

[Kid Ice]

My reflections were an accumuliation of having been an avid member of this site well over a year. In that year, I have seen mostly positive information and trades, but I have also seen and experienced people participate as cheap and selfish collectors. I know I am one of few to even bring this up as an issue, but then agian, I am just making an observation.

IMO you have been a good contributor here, but I just don't get this. We're all cheap, so guilty as charged there. But selfish? And if you have seen mostly positive information and trades, what's the point?

[RCM]

I personally don't care what is posted on here. I believe everyone has the right to say what they feel. Just be prepared to defend yourself! If you have a problem with a particular post challenge whoever posted it. If there is something illigitmate about a deal you are involved in tell us all so we can insure that the person never is involved with a deal again. But don't tell anybody how they should act. I applaud your honesty but I don't think you're dishonest for trying to make a good deal. If a person is dumb enough to get "ripped off" then that is there problem. Most people on this board seem to know their shit though. Something I dig about the board is that most people don't take things too personally while in a debate. When the debate is over and everyone has made their point life goes on the slate is wiped clean. At least in my experience. I dig the DP board and most of the members ive dealt with. Lighten up a little man!

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[Jasoco]

Flack, I love that image. LOL

And your Title. I'll take it as a compliment. :D

I love this forum. And that's all I want to say. It's been very helpful and informative. The rarity lists are great in finding out how many games were made of a certain franchise or what the official title of a game should be. A lot of love is in this site.

Some consider me a suck-up.

[brykasch]

I don't know this post seems like some crying over spilled milk to me. Are you offended by the fact that we brag when we get a good deal, or don't tell someone the true value of something that we find in the wild? Or are you upset someone wouldn't take a lowball offer on something for sale, or that someone wouldn't sell you something you wanted. Not sure which one but it seems like a whole lot of whining to me.
I have been here since aug of last year, and have found this place to be nothing but an outstanding place, helpful and friendly, what a community can be. Now there are a handful of people that may not be the best, but you learn to spot em, and learn to ignore them. I make no bones about any deal I get. Its not my job to inform someone about the value of their items. I collect to play, but if I see a pds for 10 bucks at a garage sale, I will buy it sell it and use the money to buy more things that I want. And I will sleep well at not doing so:) If you want to brag then brag but be prepared to be told the deal you got wasn't so great. Which happens also from time to time. Noone is under obligation to accept an offer, nor obligated to sell a game.
People have sent me items I need just be helpful (manuals, controllers, misc) and I in turn have done the same. I guess maybe you have a different idea of what these forums should be, but I think they are running jsut fine. Hell it convinced me to spend 1000+ to go to cgexpo this year.