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

[Sunnyvale]

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

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

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

[SparTonberry]

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

(people still remember that?)

[Gameguy]

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

[Sunnyvale]

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

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

[Kyle15]

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

[Sunnyvale]

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

California. Same guy?

[crazyjackcsa]

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

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

[Emperor Megas]

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

(people still remember that?)

Yes, sadly.

[Peonpiate]

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

[Cornelius]

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

[Sunnyvale]

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

[maxlords]

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

[Collector_Gaming]

actually its a mix i feel

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

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

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

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