Top Loading NES pricing question

[noriaki_kakyouin]

What is the most that you would pay for a used top-loading NES? Let's say no games and all the cords?

I am looking to get one and was wondering how much is too much.

[smokehouse]

To be honest with you, unless you’re looking for one to complete a NES collection or to display, I say get an original unit and some spare 72 pin connectors. The original units have better video and audio quality. I have the top load and the PQ over RF is terrible.

I’d say don’t go over $75 for one complete (no box or instructions), $50 for a loose but working console-only. Any more, although common is a waste of funds.

[Abman]

I am not sure how much it is worth I would say around 30$ with all the cords and some games but I have seen a Top Loader go for 55 on eBay system alone no cords or anything. I was lucky I got mine with around 12 games for one buck at a yard sale I was so happy with that. I can also say the top loader is a great system and you will never need another 72 pin connecter I still perfer the toaster version though I think it looks cooler LOL

[drewbrim]

My limit with hookups and a dogbone controller would be $60

[cyberfluxor]

Although I live in a wierd marketplace around here full of places that have mixed prices for different games, systems, ect. Most places here charge $50-80 for a top-loader that works and with all the connections and 2 controllers (Sometimes they throw in a free NES Football game ;) ).

Around here pawn shops and all charge an arm and a leg for retro systems ($40+) easy. Shoot, earlier today I saw a place trying to sell an Atari 2600 for $80 that came with 2 sticks & 3 typical games that easily go for under 50 cents a pop.

Just watch the market in your area & on-line to take an eduacted answer of where you should purchase one. I got my Atari stuff on-line due to the cheaper systems, but buy most of my games locally. A safe price for a top loader is under $50. Anything more and it's too much (Unless it's special).

[InsaneDavid]

The most I would pay is $5, which is the most I have paid. I don't like them for a couple reasons. First the decreased resolution, the whole lines on the screen thing. Second is that I feel they grip the cartridge connectors too tight, to the point where you have to use some force to remove a cartridge. Every top loader I've come across I've sold (sold a couple loose here for $30 and people were jumping all over them). Loose as opposed to complete isn't a big deal. It takes the same AC adapter and same RF box as the normal NES, the controller is the only difference and those aren't all that rare either. Don't drop more than $40 complete because with some time you can find one for around that or less.

[nik]

I'd dump out 50-60 for one, with cords

[Rejinx]

It seems that the prices for them have come down a little in the last year. Maybe because of all the famiclones.

[jcalder8]

I bought mine on here for 50 with all the hookups and I was very happy to get it for this price. As has been said they can go for more on e-bay. I'm sure I could have found a better deal if I had kept looking but this was what I was willing to pay so when I found it for this price I jumped on it.

[AMG]

I would pay around $50 for one.

[ryborg]

Maybe because of all the famiclones.

DEFINITELY because of the clones. Especially on ebay. A few years ago, the console with only the cords and one dogbone would easily sell for $100+. Now you do a search for "nes top loader" and you're inundated with Famiclones for $2.99 + $35 shipping. It's "stealing away" all the casual buyers who just want something that will consistantly play their games.

To answer the original Q, I buy them to resell constantly, but I have personally never spent more than $40 for one, unless it's absolutely in mint condition with box, paperwork, etc. For personal use, I wouldn't pay more than $5-10, for the above reasons (especially InsaneDavid's). There are enough terribly done auctions and yard sales out there where you can get one cheap if you really wanted.
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[tholly]

with all the hook-ups and console, no box.....id drop $40 on it.....completely complete, with all original packaging materials....if i had the money $75-85

[cyberfluxor]

The most I would pay is $5, which is the most I have paid.

I wish I had some hook-ups like that. Everything around here is freaking over-priced compaired to what I see people on here selling and trading systems for.

The other year nearly all the pawn shops were selling Dreamcast systems for $10 with 2 controllers and I got a few. Several months ago they went back up to being $20 and 1 controller. I don't know how often they sell in my area but apparently no one wants to sell them cheaper anymore.

There's a private game store around the corner that sells Atari 2600's for $16 or less while the pawn shop up the road from him sells the EXACT same system $80, no games. Talking about a mixed up market in my area.

[Jumpman Jr.]

They've gone down significantly in price/demand from a few years ago. I remember when everybody wanted one, and buying one on ebay would mean that you'd have to be bidding against a bunch of noobs who didn't know what it was worth, which drove the price up.
Then, it seemed that all of those noobs that wanted a Top Loader were adequetly satisfied with a Famiclone, which was another way you could buy a "NES" and load the games in from the top.
Since then, the price/demand hasn't been all that big and you can usually pick them up pretty cheap every once and a while. That being said, I DO have one, but I bought it about 2 years ago (when I was a noob, and I thought there was a demand for them), so I paid $100 Canadian, which was about $75 at the time.
I wouldn't pay that much now, though. I'd say keep your limit to around $50.