/vr/ - Retro Games

Also, I found pic-related at Goodwill and it works fine. Now I have clear blue controllers for all my PlayStations (yay!).

But it's dirty as heck. I did the same as I did with the NES controller, except I didn't take the innards apart from the front half of the controller because I was afraid of fucking something up.

The controller, as expected, was a lot dirtier than the NES one. I'm having it sit overnight after cleaning it with Lysol wipes and isopropyl alcohol.
It's got this weird film of dirtiness either underneath or over it; I can't tell. All I know is that it's a bit cloudy and not as transparent as my clear blue DualShock 2 and 3, which, of course, I bought new.

Any recommendations to restore the transparency?

If the seller doesn't respond it gets escalated to eBay customer service who should refund you

I have a similar thing. I got a Mega Drive last week (europefag) from some guy who obviously hadn't used it in years, but it was well used.

I've tried cleaning it but it's so grimy, there's a brown ring on the circuit board itself. How do you get into the little detailed parts of the controller to clean? trying to make the face buttons clean but I can't get into the engraved lettering.

>>1686040
use a toothbrush

>>1685978
>/vr/
>new

you're new.

>>1687140
>>>/v/

>>1687140
I've gotten regular square NES controllers new.

>>1685978
>>1687140
seriously though, unless it says NIB (new in box, with pics to prove), It's used, and as far as I know cleaning secondhand goods is just something you do. If pic related, that's a good get. I hope it wasn't too much, the NES2 stuff can be pricey

>>1685978
If it still smells like cigarette smoke wrap it in dryer sheets.

Usually I'm collecting PS1 games, so if the manual case, artwork and CD smell like cigarettes I break down the case and chuck it, I bought a carton of like 200 CD cases a long time ago, and usually replace it anyways. Place a dryer sheet inside each page of the manual, and a dryer sheet on the top and bottom of the artwork, and then one between each CD. Then I stack them up and put them in a ziplock bag for a day or two.

Its pretty insane, the dryer sheets visibly yellow, which makes me think theres some kind of chemical reaction going on thats pulling the smoke nitrates out of the stuff, something like that.

Anyways, it works, I'm sure the same can be done with the cord, just wrap sheets around it and maybe secure with tape or elastic bands.

>>1687184
I know there are survivors out there and that they're for sale, but OP was sloppy. Dare I suggest you got some Chinese repro? I mean they counterfeit eggs for gods sake.

>>1687235
>OP was sloppy
Its totally hit or miss on eBay man.

You could have dudes taking clever photos, using a completely different item for their listings, using the "best" item in a listing with multiple items for sale. eBay sucks in that regard, but they are very good about fixing issues.

I had some stuff damaged in shipping and the seller instantly sent me a new case for it. Of course not all sellers are like that, but the majority would be more then willing to remedy the situation if it keeps them from getting a negative feedback.

>>1687228
I'm curious, can you just get CD cases and put the artwork in them, kind of like the actual cases? I have some disc only games and some games in subpar condition that could use upgrading, but just putting them in generic cases without the artwork just doesn't do it for me.

>>1687251
yeah, I know. I've had a good go on Ebay myself, but if OP was genuinely offended then they should've not cleaned it, taken pictures and contacted customer service.

>>1687289
swapping CD cases is ok, if that's what you mean. coverproject . com could help if you need to print new stuff. I suggest a satin or matte photo paper

>>1687314
Much appreciated!

Do people really make such a big fucking deal about this stuff? I purchased a game that got its case cracked during shipping, as the crack wasn't described or in the picture, but I never bothered to get the seller to ship down a new one; it just seems like a major hassle when I can fix it myself in less time.

>>1687327
Yes.

Rightfully so. I get that shit is going to be old, or maybe not in great shape, but you should definitely say that in your ad.

Most of eBay is mass resellers, and these are the kind of people who have "catch all" style auctions with no individual information about the item at hand.

So yes, for those people I do make a big deal, because I can usually get a replacement, some money off, or maybe a shipping credit.

>>1687327
if the mail broke a CD case then go ahead and fix it, no prob. If a cartridge is broken, that's no joke.

OP here.

The guy had it listed as "New (Other)." I thought the "Other" just meant no packaging, as the pic was of the actual controller. It looked okay from the shot.

The description was that it looked and played new. He *had* really good feedback, so I didn't worry. Should I have contacted him? Sure.

But I've sent five messages in the past two weeks and he replied to only 2, the most being that he tested it to make sure it played fine and that I can return it for a refund if I paid for shipping.
Should I just lose the shipping cost?

I get that I probably shouldn't have taken it apart, but I wanted to show how dirty it was.

>>1686040
i use tooth picks in the little parts that usually does the trick, maybe a needle might work

>>1687289
>>1687314
>>1687319

Yes. PS1 cases are generic clear with clear tray CD cases. The PS1 multi-cd cases -can- be different, most notably the 1 CD games that got put in multi-CD cases. The internal black thing has no fuck, nipple? I guess for the CD to go in, as the manual sits there. Then occasionally there is a PS logo where the other nipple should be on the clear side.

I can get evidence with my legaia copy, but honestly, just use the standard fat multi-CD cases with clear trays and you're find.

>>1687443
If he listed it as new then thats an issue you can escalate to eBay imo.

I would go for a full refund if shipping is cheap, a few dollars maybe. It honestly depends how happy you are with it as is. Although you have already opened it up and cleaned it, I would just finish the job and try not to get burned next time.

>>1687503
Thanks.

I escalated it and eBay already gave me a refund. So what, do I keep the controller or do I have to return it?

>>1688370

... Are you fucking serious?

You think you just get to get a free controller?

Issue a refund

Buyers need to return an item if they want a refund:
We ask the buyer to ship the item to you—with tracking information—within 7 days.
We require buyers to pay the cost of return shipping, unless you and the buyer have come to a different agreement.
In unusual circumstances, we may pay the cost of return shipping.
Be sure to issue a refund through the eBay Resolution Center within 3 business days of receiving a returned item. If the buyer didn't pay with PayPal, refund the buyer using the same payment method used to buy the item.Refunding the buyer using the original payment method prevents a buyer from getting 2 refunds—one from you and one from the credit card company.

Once the case is resolved, you receive a final value fee credit.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/item-not-as-described.html

>>1688907
What?
I bought the controller and the seller has never responded to the case. I escalated the case and eBay gave me a "courtesy" refund.

Why would I get a final value credit?

I checked the case details but it didn't say anything about returning.
But if I have to I will.

>>1688964
If you don't return the controller its literally fraud.

>>1688964
You don't have to return anything. The money was already issued and they can't ask for it back.

>>1688964
i've had this happen before, ebay refunded me, and i was under no obligation to send the item back

the seller bitched and moaned, but the bottom line is this: if he would have been honest in the first place none of this would have happened

hes a reseller trying to make a buck by lying about his auctions, he shouldn't be rewarded by getting a free "do-over" at your expense

>>1688980
I'm almost positive a court case isnt going to come out of this. Stop trying to scare someone just because you're on le epic 4edge

>>1689009
No one is going to open a court case over a controller, but its bad practice and it is still fraud.

>>1689138
So is describing a filthy item as new. Eye for an eye.

>>1688983

You are as much of an asshole as the reseller. I can understand if the item was broken or something, but do you think you should be rewarded because he said new and it was used?

>>1688964
Dont be such a Hilary Clinton

>>1689547
He deserves compensation, yes. Business is business. Keep your emotions out of it.

So the rubber on my PS1/2 sticks keep getting this sticky grime on it, even if they haven't been used at all.
Anyway to permanently fix this, or do I just have to keep cleaning?

>>1687443
Give that asshole bad feedback. Easy as that.

>>1688983
Spoken like a true NEET manbaby.

My most satisfying moment as an eBay seller was recently overturning a claim similar to yours where the neckbeard's mother (whose credit card he used) got angry at him and tried to reverse the paypal charge back on me without returning the item to me. I appealed with required proof of transaction and she got stuck with a penalty fee of $30. I hope she's taking it out on her greasy son right now.

You're gonna get what's coming to you, prick.

>>1689696
Surprised, usually paypal sides with the buyer. But if its obvious they hold the item, it's fraud.

When I worked for a game shop, we sold a ton of shit on ebay and we'd regularly get buyers claiming they didn't recieve an item in a lot when they actually had. We had to suck it up and refund them since we generally had no proof then.

Though we also had the 'you pay return shipping' if the item was defective so we could test it. If it was defective then we'd refund you the shipping + price, but if it wasn't you were stuck paying return shipping.

>>1688907
>>1689528
>>1688964
Not exactly /vr/, but a similar situation happened to me when buying a PSP on Amazon. The seller had one marked as being new and was the lowest priced one in that category. I bought it and what arrived was clearly used, with the box torn open and the paint on the system chipped in places. I inquired to the seller, thy simply said they meant to list it as "Like new" (at the actual new price I should also say, which was a good $20 or so more than the "like new" used ones) and that was the last I heard from them. I tried asking them for a refund since it was not as described and got absolutely no response. Eventually took the issue to Amazon directly and since the original owner was a new seller, Amazon handled the refund themselves, as until the seller establishes themselves, Amazon holds the money for a while. Asked what to do with the item itself, and how to go about sending it back to the seller, and they said that if the seller hadn't asked for it back at that point (I had been trying to get a refund for a good week and had heard jackshit), even after making them aware I wanted a refund, I didn't have to do anything with it.

Not at all saying it's good practice to keep the item after being refunded, but one should at least inquire with the company responsible for allowing the listing about what to do with it if the seller themselves won't tell you whether they want it back or not, or are even willing to do a refund.

I've always thought of opening up an e-bay store selling used controllers that have been refurbished.

Take them apart and thoroughly clean them inside and out and replace damaged buttons and such. Just always thought it wouldn't be lucrative enough, I mean would you pay extra for a cleaned controller? Lets say the average used PS1 controller is like $10, if I spend hours cleaning it I need to charge like $30 to make it worth my time.

>>1689740
not worth it.

i'll clean my own.
A used ps1 controller typically goes for four dollars at MOST, even onbrand. Its not hard to clean it, just get a toothbrush and windex. Hell, if you're buying it at a store the clerk will generally clean it FOR you.

>>1689749
I'd say it depends on the store. I know of some where I live that stock older games, systems, and controllers, and either don't have the tools needed to clean them up (something I think any used game store should have), as simple as those may be to acquire, or just don't give a fuck as long as it works.

Meanwhile I know one or two that will actively clean up controllers, systems, carts, and discs. Hell, if they take a disc out of the back for a game you want to buy and find it dirty or scratched, they clean it free of charge since it's not something the customer could have caused (usually about $2 to have a disc cleaned or buffed there).

>>1689669
I've ha that same issue. It's really bizarre. Just keep cleaning it.

>>1685978
>Ebay US Seller

Japanese Ebay sellers don't bullshit you, if something doesn't work and is just for repair, they actually mark it like that.

>>1687327
That's a shipping error.

But if say, like OP you get an item "New, Complete in Box" only to find a bunch of melted Tootsie Rolls inside the controller, that's different.

Erasers, rubbing alcohol or wipes, a small painting brush (for dust), and some rough paper towels are always good to have for cleaning this stuff.

I always douche out any retro gaming stuff I get from ebay, garage sales, or anywhere really. And I've learned a few tricks over the years that I guess I'll share here with you awesome dudes!
(Many of you probably already know this stuff, sorry if that's the case!)

1. Glass stove top cleaner is the best shit ever for cleaning copper contacts on the bottom of games. No joke it's amazing.

2. Mr.Clean magic erasers / goo gone or goof off, Best stuff for getting stickers and adhesive off of carts, controllers, and consoles. Also great just for a once over rub down to clean the item in general.

3. Dryer Sheets will pull the stank off of anything they're amazing give them a try.

4. This stuff isn't bad either, try it if you don't mind making a bit of an investment in your yellowed carts and consoles: http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

Hope this helps OP and or anyone else interested in methods of cleaning / restoring old gaming gear!

>>1685978
I always take my controllers apart, take all the electronics and such out and lay them on a table, then bring all the plastics/rubbers to a sink where I soak them, and a rag, in soapy hot water for 15 minutes, then I scrub them by hand, and get the grooves of the controller case with a toothbrush, and dry them each individually with a towel. I then swab all the contacts of the board, as well as a general rundown all the circuits, with isopropyl alcohol, and use the soaked rag to wipe the cord down. Always be sure to go around the holes where buttons and pads would go, preferably with a qtip and isopropyl alcohol. Gets the grime out that soaking wont do it justice for. Any plugs that can be unplugged will be, and then replugged in to ensure proper connection. After it is all said and done, I carefully put the controller back together, but do not screw it in yet. Always test it first to make sure it works on your console/computer (i say that because I use programs on computer to monitor specific input), and if it does, screw it together and take a rest.

Very similar routines for consoles and computers too, only usually I would use a shower to soak the cases of consoles.

>>1687251
Yeah, any seller worth buying from will take care of any problems right away. The ones who ship games Media Mail, though? They'll fuck you sideways any way they can. I hate those guys. Something's broken 75% of the time and it's always such a hassle to get them to remedy it.

>>1687327
I've just taken to buying CDs at my local thrift shop for $0.25 and using the cases to replace the broken ones I get because it's so much easier than having to deal with asshole eBay sellers. Hell, it's even easier than dealing with non-asshole sellers.

>>1690569
Awhile ago I went an bought a carton of jewel cases and multi-cd jewel cases. Its like 200 cases for 80 bucks or something, but they are in perfect shape. I have a ritual every time I get a new game.

>get it
>if it looks damaged, document it, email seller or whatever if its from ebay/amazon
>otherwise
>give game a quick initial test to make sure it works
>remove from case, game, manual, and artwork
>throw away case
>wrap game, manual, and artwork in dryer sheets and bag them
>2 days later get a new jewel case and reassemble and put it on my shelf

I try to beat games as they come in (before 30 day buyer protection wears out) in the unlikely case that they have an issue later on, or on multi-disc games, I've gotten burned a few times where some games look fine, work all the way until they end and then soft lock.

I'm kind of on the fence of whether or not I have a moral obligation to take the hit, or resell it myself to recoup my costs at the expense of some other person.

>>1690636
>I'm kind of on the fence of whether or not I have a moral obligation to take the hit, or resell it myself to recoup my costs at the expense of some other person.

I'm kind of in the same position with some HD DVDs I bought recently. There were some really shittily manufactured WB discs which will freeze, even when brand new. Well, I've got a small stack of those HD DVDs and I'm wondering what to do with them. On one hand, they don't work on my player (one of the lower cost models from early in the HD DVD game), but on the other hand they may work on a higher-cost/newer player with a more updated firmware.

I really don't know what to do with them.

Contacted eBay. I'm under no obligation to return it as it was a courtesy refund and the seller made no attempt to resolve the issue.

>>1691969
Oh look, its exactly as I predicted. I'll never understand why people take a reseller'sside.

Shitbag General, it seems.

>>1695812
>Shitbag General

Reporting for duty, SIR.

>>1693327
>I'll never understand why people take a reseller'sside
Gee, I wonder.

>>1693327
>why
>>1697049
Exactly, it could be anyone.

Now you have no idea. "No Communication" could mean literally anything.

He could've just left for a vacation, his mother could've just died. So yeah, its shitty to lose out on ~10 bucks. But what if it was some fuck huge thing. Some 10,000 dollar item that ebay just defaults payment back to you and lets you keep it while the seller gets completely fucked.

Is that fair?

>>1697049
examine jew

>>1697054
>No Communication
I never said he didn't communicate. I emailed him twice before opening a case. He responded only once saying that the controller was operable.
That wasn't my issue.

I waited two weeks before opening a case. He responded once within those two weeks. I thought that was fair enough.
I even sent another email asking him to please respond to the case and he never did. I sent him another message through the case indicating that I was going to wait a day or two before escalating the case, hoping to hear from him.

Dude never responded.

>>1697131
Whats your ebay username so I can make sure never to deal with you.

You sound like a nightmare. Do you have nothing better in your life that you need to bitch and moan for weeks over a grubby controller? Jesus.

>>1697160
I kind of agree but at the same time I can't side with the asshole that lies about the product he's selling, even if it was some 10 cent sticker.

It was listed as new, it clearly wasn't.

You wouldn't defend Gamestop for doing this, would you?

>>1697160
This is the first case I've ever opened, and I've bought tons of vidya off eBay.
My apologies to sellers if I've acted irrationally.

>>1697054
True, anything could've happened with the seller, but at the same time, it's his responsibility as a seller to look after his customer to ensure good business ethics and satisfaction.

By not making any real attempt to remedy the problem and worse, ignoring the complaint, eBay simply took matters into their own hands.

>>1697160
>why can't you just let me be a shitty seller?
I'm sure OP would be happy to never deal with you. In fact, let me get your user ID too, since you're limiting business and all.

>seller doesn't respond to case
>What do?

Receive automatic refund because item is not as described.

>>1688907

This only applies if you respond to the case.

NEVER ignore a case made against you. You're up shit creek without a paddle if you do.

Will the dryer sheets method work for controllers too? I just picked up a saturn pad whose inside rubber contact pads are brown from smoke, and soaking the stuff in warm, soapy water isn't doing much.

>>1700713
well actually I guess it was mentioned above, I'll just try it. Can't be any worse than anything else.

anyone have advice for removing stickers from game boxes without doing damage? I usually use rubbing alcohol on the stickers, but it doesn't always work so well with boxes in my experience.

>>1700713
>>1700726
It should work on pretty much anything. Those things are odor sponges. Make sure its completely wrapped, and you may need to leave it for a couple days, and potentially change sheets to get rid of the smell completely.

What do you guys use to get permanent marker off a gameboy cartridge? I've read on a site that if you put new marker over the old stuff then clean it up before it dries it'll work, but Id think it'd just make a bigger shittier stain.

>>1701093
Dry-erase marker, the kind used for whiteboards. Scribble over the "permanent" marks, re-wetting them, and wipe away.

I found a dead rat in a NES tray.

Got $200 eBay compensation and the seller got banned.

>>1702365
How does that even happen.

>>1702365
>Got $200 eBay compensation and the seller got banned.
>$200

I almost believed you until I realized where I was.

>>1700759
Goo Gone is magic.