Advice on buying a used PS3?

[Hippy Hollow]

So I think with summer approaching, my birthday coming up, and GTA 4 and Rock Band on the shelves, I'm going to take the jump and get a Playstation 3.

I've decided that I want the 60GB model, which is the only one that actually has the PS2 chip for 100% compatibility. I have a pretty big library of PS2 games, and I don't play that many games, so that's pretty important to me.

There are a few 60GB models on craigslist here in Austin, but I have to admit to being a little nervous about buying expensive electronics this way. I've been in touch with one buyer, stating that I was only interested if:


PS3 came in original box with UPC code intact
Came with a receipt
Owner is willing to connect PS3 to their TV, and demonstrate that it works 100% with a game and DVD

I'm thinking this will eliminate the flakes who "liberated" a PS3 from someone else, plus it gives me the ability to use the warranty (Sony has a 1 year warranty on the console). Is there anything else I should ask the seller, or check on when I'm able to see the console in person?

[Gukumatz]

I'd say get one stock, from off the shelves, if you're not looking at Craigslist for financial reasons. Mostly because you'll probably won't get a Rumble Sixaxis with the old Euphoria-enabled 60GB versions, but also because you'll want that warranty guarantee to be safe. Particularly since the PS3 version of GTA IV has a penchant for freezing and locking up the 60GB SKUs. And if you have a PS2, anyway, it's just as well to play on that one, no?

[Hippy Hollow]

Yeah Gukumatz, it would definitely be better to get a stock one, except I don't think you can - Sony discontinued the 60GB model (in the US at least). Unless I'm looking in the wrong places. ;)

[Wee Bairn]

How about buying one used from somewhere like Gamestop? They give you a one week or one month warranty IIRC.

[Scoundrel Swanswater]

I'd say get one stock, from off the shelves, if you're not looking at Craigslist for financial reasons. Mostly because you'll probably won't get a Rumble Sixaxis with the old Euphoria-enabled 60GB versions, but also because you'll want that warranty guarantee to be safe. Particularly since the PS3 version of GTA IV has a penchant for freezing and locking up the 60GB SKUs. And if you have a PS2, anyway, it's just as well to play on that one, no?
Actually GTA4 does lock up on other models as well.
I heard that if you log off from PSN before starting the game it works just fine, but then you of course won't have multiplayer.
A patch should be released to fix this shortly.

[stpauler]

PS3 came in original box with UPC code intact
Came with a receipt
Owner is willing to connect PS3 to their TV, and demonstrate that it works 100% with a game and DVD


I'm just thinking of the two systems I have (Wii and 360) and I don't have the original boxes and I ordered them both online and don't have the receipts either. Both were bought last year by me, but I don't really have proof of that. (Well, maybe through the places I bought them from might still have order history). I think only the third part of your list is really the only applicable one.

By the way, most of the 60GB PS3s sold out back in August of 2007. That's 9 months ago at the very least, leaving you a maximum of 3 months left on a warranty (that may not even cover the damages that may arise).