# Craigslist and Electronics (PS2) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 18, 2007, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186 "2007-10-18T17:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/1 "2007-10-18T17:21:35Z")
I started my first job five months ago and I spend my day glued to a computer so when I come home the last thing I want to do is head back on to the computer for some gaming. So I’ve decided to buy a PS2 and noticed that I can save around $50 if I buy a used one off of craigslist (plus whatever games they throw in). I’ve bought concert and basketball tickets via craigslist but never anything that might breakdown. Are sellers agreeable to a test run before selling? Are there ways to hide a broken PS2? Or should I pay the extra cash and just buy it new? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/2 "2007-10-18T18:08:42Z")
When you say you can get $50 off, what’s your grand total here? EB Games, for example, has refurbished PS2s for $80. [Cite](http://www.ebgames.com/search.asp?N=139+83). At least with a deal like that, it’s guaranteed to work when you get it home. If you’ve got a specific Craigslist user in mind, and the deal seems too juicy to pass up, you might try contacting him or her and asking if you can see it operate before spending your money. But odds are this isn’t going to happen (I certainly wouldn’t invite a random internet user into my home to look at my game system). If the deal is really that good, the seller could probably find another buyer very easily who doesn’t need the same reassurances. Given your (valid) concerns, I would suggest forking over the extra money for a new or refurbished unit from a reputable store unless the deal is too good to pass on and it’s money you can afford to lose if the unit blows up. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/3 "2007-10-18T18:15:20Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] When you say you can get $50 off, what’s your grand total here? EB Games, for example, has refurbished PS2s for $80. [Cite](http://www.ebgames.com/search.asp?N=139+83). At least with a deal like that, it’s guaranteed to work when you get it home. If you’ve got a specific Craigslist user in mind, and the deal seems too juicy to pass up, you might try contacting him or her and asking if you can see it operate before spending your money. **But odds are this isn’t going to happen (I certainly wouldn’t invite a random internet user into my home to look at my game system).** If the deal is really that good, the seller could probably find another buyer very easily who doesn’t need the same reassurances. Given your (valid) concerns, I would suggest forking over the extra money for a new or refurbished unit from a reputable store unless the deal is too good to pass on and it’s money you can afford to lose if the unit blows up. [/QUOTE] That definitely crossed my mind, I don’t really know how I’d be able to test it out. It was $50 off a brand new unit which would make the price $80. So it works out to be the same as a refurbished one. This seems like a much better idea. Especially since any games that I get, I’m just going to sell to EB since I’m only interested in 3 or 4 different ones. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/4 "2007-10-18T18:19:20Z")
A brand new slim PS2 costs $129, and rumor is that the price will drop to $99 this Christmas. IMO, at that price, it’s hard to justify buying used. Game consoles are not known for durability. ---
**Author:** ![qubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f07891/32.png) [@qubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qubed)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/5 "2007-10-18T18:23:55Z")
If any seller refuses for you to do a test run before buying, run, run far away. Any reasonable person would let you go for a test drive. i think buying used games & gear of craigslist is the way to go. you can get some good deals out there for the old consoles. there’s such a glut of them people want to get rid of. only thing i’d suggest is try and avoid the earlier generation ones. i’m sure you can find a list of sku numbers somewhere online that correspond to generation. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/6 "2007-10-18T19:26:32Z")
Yeah I really wouldn’t touch a Craigslist PS2 unless it was dirt cheap (in which case it’s probably stolen) or I had some way of knowing the seller was reliable and honest. At least eBay has a feedback system, flawed as it may be. ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/7 "2007-10-18T20:28:49Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Yeah I really wouldn’t touch a Craigslist PS2 unless it was dirt cheap (in which case it’s probably stolen) or I had some way of knowing the seller was reliable and honest. At least eBay has a feedback system, flawed as it may be. [/QUOTE] About 6-months ago I spotted a used PS2 & some games for $40 on craigslist. When I called, I was told that the games were just sold, and the system itself would be $20. It’s been running fine ever since. When I picked it up, I didn’t get the impression it had been stolen – the owners were a middle-aged couple that had just bought a new console. Obviously I could be wrong (and to be honest, I didn’t really consider the possibility when I bought it). Not sure if this story helps the OP at all, except that I agree with **control-z** – the highest I would have gone via craigslist was probably $40-50 (I was searching e-bay and the local game store as well, and would have gone with them if CL didn’t pan out so well). ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/8 "2007-10-18T22:11:12Z")
Thanks for the advice so far. I’m leaning towards a refurbished one but I also sent a friend of mine (who I’d forgotten about) an email about it. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that he knows someone who would be willing to sell their PS2 since they now own an XBOX360, PS3 and a Wii. His friends are like that…me…not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/9 "2007-10-19T13:08:41Z")
I’m going to order a new slim one from Dell for $99. > **[Computers, Monitors & Technology Solutions | Dell Canada](https://www.dell.com/en-ca)** > > Dell Official Site: Shop the latest Dell computers, electronics & technology solutions. FREE & FAST DELIVERY. Again, thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/10 "2007-10-19T15:31:12Z")
[QUOTE=Kid\_A] I’m going to order a new slim one from Dell for $99. [http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1&sku=A1299879](http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1&sku=A1299879) [/QUOTE] I was so certain you’d made a typo. What the hell is Dell doing selling PS2s? I can’t imagine it’s that profitable for them. Weird. Anyway, back on topic, sounds like you’ve made a wise decision, **Kid\_A**. Enjoy it! ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/11 "2007-10-19T15:49:25Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] I was so certain you’d made a typo. What the hell is Dell doing selling PS2s? I can’t imagine it’s that profitable for them. Weird. Anyway, back on topic, sounds like you’ve made a wise decision, **Kid\_A**. Enjoy it! [/QUOTE] I’m so tempted to put this in GQ. A friend of mine sent me the link and I’m totally confused by it. ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/12 "2007-10-19T16:35:59Z")
I wish I had read this one hour earlier - I just sold mine, which I would have guaranteed to another Doper, on Ebay. $40 + actual shipping costs with 4 games, 2 controllers, memory cards, and component cables. It went immediately w/ my buy it now price - I could have probably gotten 20-30 more, but am just tired of having crap sit around the house. GameStop/EB games are making a killing on these - they only offered $20, and wanted the memory, 2 controllers, all hookups. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/13 "2007-10-19T16:46:03Z")
[QUOTE=Kid\_A] I’m so tempted to put this in GQ. A friend of mine sent me the link and I’m totally confused by it. [/QUOTE] I don’t know the Sony Playstation stuff seems to be effectively price-fixed, so maybe Dell figures it’s a good item to sell because they don’t have to compete on price. It doesn’t bode well that Dell is selling PS2s though. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/14 "2007-10-19T17:15:01Z")
[QUOTE=Kid\_A] I’m so tempted to put this in GQ. A friend of mine sent me the link and I’m totally confused by it. [/QUOTE] Is it supposed to be new or refurbished? And can you purchase it by itself, or only as an “accessory” to a Dell computer? I can’t figure out how Dell, of all places, would be selling a new PS2 for $30 under MSRP. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/15 "2007-10-19T17:26:47Z")
I’ve gone through the whole checkout process and the deal is what it is. $99 plus tax and there are no shipping fees. It’s a brand new, slim, silver PS2. The UPC code is identical to the same product on the Toys’R’Us website but cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/16 "2007-10-19T17:30:36Z")
[QUOTE=Kid\_A] I’ve gone through the whole checkout process and the deal is what it is. $99 plus tax and there are no shipping fees. It’s a brand new, slim, silver PS2. The UPC code is identical to the same product on the Toys’R’Us website but cheaper. [/QUOTE] Wow. What a deal! ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/17 "2007-10-19T17:46:05Z")
I sold me PS2 through craigslist a couple months ago. Guy came over, I hooked it up to the TV and showed him that it worked just fine. Happy sale. I’ve also bought a whole lot of stuff through craigslist too. Testing it out at the time of purchase is pretty much standard procedure. I think people are over exaggerating the risk involved here. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/18 "2007-10-19T17:52:06Z")
I’m not saying you can’t make successful purchases through Craigslist, quite the contrary. But I would say it’s a lot riskier than eBay or retail. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-and-electronics-ps2/423186/19 "2007-10-19T18:02:34Z")
Honestly I’d say it’s a lot less risky than eBay. You actually meet the person face to face and have a chance to expect the merchandise hands on and decide whether to buy or not. The amount of trust necessary is immensely less.