Ebay Alert: Atari buttons

[PetitMorte]

Ebay Auction

Not mine, but I thought someone might be interested.

He's selling some Atari leaf buttons, but also included are 2 of the lite-up volcano switches.

FYI.

[nostrebor]

Nice.

Now the entire cabinet building world has seen the auction I spent an hour  finding yesterday.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Nice.

Now the entire cabinet building world has seen the auction I spent an hour  finding yesterday.

Join the club.

[jfunk]

No joke.  I've got the initial bid.  Not like other people couldn't have found this on their own..  *sigh*

Leave well enough alone, people!   

[PetitMorte]

Bah.  You try and be helpful and some grumble-bug complains about it.  Good thing I didn't mention the Tron Control Panel and Joystick auction.

 

[Scott84]

So you know. Its a gamble.

You are either helping someone out incredibly. Or your completely screwing them.

Double Edged Sword.

[NJDevils2006]

i'd rather not see people advertise ebay auctions on this site.  I've been screwed by it before too.  Maybe the mods should think about not allowing them anymore.

[Xphile]

 quit your whining people, The guy did everyone a favour posted an auction he thought would interest people here, now everyone has the same shot...it's an equal playing field.

[quarterback]

quit your whining people, The guy did everyone a favour posted an auction he thought would interest people here, now everyone has the same shot...it's an equal playing field.

[pointdablame]

this was an auction anyone who searched "atari button" would find.

Exactly... so why the heck bother to post it?  If you're looking for atari buttons on ebay and you DON'T search for "atari buttons" then you don't deserve to get them.

Its just like the star wars yokes that are ALWAYS posted here.... why???

If you can't think to search "yoke" or "star wars" or other games with similar controls, then I guess you don't really want a yoke that badly.

[paigeoliver]

Posting an auction for controls here doubles the price every time.

[Xphile]

Posting an auction for controls here doubles the price every time.

I stopped when it got to 10x the original bid..

<btw, I saw them last night and was gonna snipe for around $21.55 with 4 seconds to go monday, but this is way more fun..> 

[PetitMorte]

Again, bah.

The point being that atari buttons have been such a hot topic here that I figured folks would be interested in seeing this...  grumble-bugs and whiners notwithstanding.  From the sound of it though, some people would still be upset if I just posted a link to E-Bay and noted that people could buy parts there.

It only took about 30 seconds to find that particular auction.  Ebay sorts their auctions into different categories.  Under the category of COLLECTABLES, they have a specific category for Arcade items.  All I did was to scroll down through that list.  Another fun thing to do is to click on the "Price" link at the top and it will sort all of the items by price, from lowest to highest.  And if you enjoy sniping, the same can be done with the "Time" link, to see all of the auctions that are just about to expire.

... sometimes I wonder how to respond without just making this whole thing blow up into a flamewar that ends up in Post Hell.

I'll just say "bah" and get over it.     Maybe next time, instead of grumbling that you're getting screwed, just post "Dibs!!!"

[pointdablame]

Again, bah.

The point being that atari buttons have been such a hot topic here that I figured folks would be interested in seeing this...  grumble-bugs and whiners notwithstanding.  From the sound of it though, some people would still be upset if I just posted a link to E-Bay and noted that people could buy parts there.

It only took about 30 seconds to find that particular auction.  Ebay sorts their auctions into different categories.  Under the category of COLLECTABLES, they have a specific category for Arcade items.  All I did was to scroll down through that list.  Another fun thing to do is to click on the "Price" link at the top and it will sort all of the items by price, from lowest to highest.  And if you enjoy sniping, the same can be done with the "Time" link, to see all of the auctions that are just about to expire.

... sometimes I wonder how to respond without just making this whole thing blow up into a flamewar that ends up in Post Hell.

I'll just say "bah" and get over it.     Maybe next time, instead of grumbling that you're getting screwed, just post "Dibs!!!"

You're missing the point though (mine at least).

You say yourself its simple to find on ebay... and it is.  However, not everyone on the board will be looking for an atari button/yoke/whatever at the same time.  Anyone at anytime can look for these things on ebay and find them if they spend 20 seconds searching.  The point is, when you post it here, you get EVERYONE that sees it questioning if they are interested in that item.

So now, instead of having people get things on eBay (potentially) cheaper when they come up for auction, and when they actually WANT the items.... you have people who weren't even looking for them at the time driving the price up.  If we just let people buy what they wanted WHEN THEY REALIZE THEY WANT IT, then you wouldn't have this problem with inflated pricing.

Its just silly... you say yourself that any idiot can find these auctions in less than a minute.... so why bother posting them?

[PetitMorte]

so why bother posting them?

... cause I'm nice?   

[nostrebor]

so why bother posting them?

... cause I'm nice?   

Ok, I started the grumbling so I'll pipe in one more time.

I agree with you. You did a very nice and generous thing by posting the auction. I now formally apologize for being grumbly.

My hope with this auction was that many would skim over the description, see "leaf" buttons, and move along. This evil plan works well for me from time to time, and I have intricate, top-secret search algorithyms set up on EBAY for just this sort of listing blunder

Seriuosly, I was more disappointed about not being able to put one to the man than disappointed that you listed it here.

I do wish that folks would stop listing yokes though

[NoOne=NBA=]

this was an auction anyone who searched "atari button" would find.

Not True.

Anyone searching for that would have seen "Atari LEAF Button Set", and "Xevious Buttons", and quite possibly passed it right over.
There was no thumbnail pic to this auction, so you had to actually visit the link to see that the volcano buttons were included.


I wasn't grumbling.
It was more of a sigh.

I think everyone would be doing people here a much bigger favor by letting the hoarders get the stuff cheaply from ebay.
That way when someone posts a WTB, someone here will have one that they may be willing to part with cheaper than they would otherwise.

[rchadd]

lots of sour grapes around these parts

i am wondering if he was selling them himself would a little self promotion also be "wrong"?

[NoOne=NBA=]

lots of sour grapes around these parts

i am wondering if he was selling them himself would a little self promotion also be "wrong"?

I have no problem at all with people promoting their own stuff to get interest up, and increase profits.

[RayB]

This whole posting Ebay links has been debated at length already (Anyone care to find the thread from a few months ago?)

In this case I'd say him posting it has made NO impact whatsoever. That auction was coming up when searching for "Atari buttons". That's the simple search term most people use when looking for those buttons. So this wasn't exactly a "hidden treasure" auction. Not even close.

Now if there was "unknown control panel" and it turned out it was an Atari panel with the buttons still on them, for cheap, I'd say that is a whole different story. A Search for "Atari buttons" would not turn up such a non-descript listing. THOSE are the auctions to wait for and keep secret. THOSE are the ones you get at a bargain.

No sense complaining about the auction that was posted in this thread. It was a "in plain view for everybody" type listing.

[nostrebor]

lots of sour grapes around these parts

i am wondering if he was selling them himself would a little self promotion also be "wrong"?

I have no problem at all with people promoting their own stuff to get interest up, and increase profits.

And I will do that from time to time.

[PetitMorte]

w00t!  Everybody's happy again!

Hay hay hay!
Happy Dance!
Happy Dance!
Happy Dance!

[NoOne=NBA=]

No sense complaining about the auction that was posted in this thread. It was a "in plain view for everybody" type listing.

So which did come first--the chicken, or the egg?

You say there's "no sense complaining about it".
You then go on to say that it was "in plain view for everybody".
The logical conclusion to those two statements is that there was no sense posting it in the first place.

THEREFORE, if it hadn't been unnecessarily posted in the first place, there would have been no unnecessary complaints about it, right?

Which leads to the conclusion that, YOUR complaints about the original complaints about the original posting would also have been unnecessary, correct?

I rest my case. 

[RayB]

Which leads to the conclusion that, YOUR complaints about the original complaints about the original posting would also have been unnecessary, correct?

I rest my case.

[Scott84]

I say make a sticky Called 'Current Ebay Auctions' or something and just keep it in one topic instead of always making threads...

Thats my idea.

If im crazy. Then call me crazy.

[duffjr]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=2.0
should redirect here:
http://urlsnip.com/945812

[armax]

Guys, this has been covered in length and if I'm not mistaken, the Admin made it clear that ebay posters are not to be flamed.  It's clear in the rules of the BST forum and clear in this thread

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=37004.0

Some of the posters here have been reminded of it on more than one occassion.  If ya don't like it, don't do it.  But don't flame someone else who IS following the rules.

[scooter]

Untested = not working

Why is everyone in a huff over broken buttons?   

[nostrebor]

Guys, this has been covered in length and if I'm not mistaken, the Admin made it clear that ebay posters are not to be flamed.  It's clear in the rules of the BST forum and clear in this thread

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=37004.0

Some of the posters here have been reminded of it on more than one occassion.  If ya don't like it, don't do it.  But don't flame someone else who IS following the rules.

I don't recall seeing any flames Some smoke was wafting around though.

Actaully if you read the thread, you will find that just the opposite is true. Your post might have been appropriate at the beginning, but it is unnecessary at this point.

[armax]

I think it's appropriate enough to remind some of the posters with a habit of violating BST rules and Saint's ruling on ebay postings, in order to prevent it in the future.  We've all seen how this subject blows into something ugly.  If I'm not mistaken, harassing those who post ebay postings in not condoned by Saint in the thread I posted.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Guys, this has been covered in length and if I'm not mistaken, the Admin made it clear that ebay posters are not to be flamed.

And they weren't.

Saint also made it clear that civil discussions about the effects of this type of post on the community were OK too, remember?

I don't have to like you posting ebay auctions, but have to let you.
Likewise, you don't have to like me commenting on the fact that it hurts the community as a whole, but have to let me.

[armax]

Guys, this has been covered in length and if I'm not mistaken, the Admin made it clear that ebay posters are not to be flamed.

And they weren't.

Saint also made it clear that civil discussions about the effects of this type of post on the community were OK too, remember?

I don't have to like you posting ebay auctions, but have to let you.
Likewise, you don't have to like me commenting on the fact that it hurts the community as a whole, but have to let me.

"No thread poisoning.  Thread poisoning occurs when a person comes into a thread and posts something contrary to the spirit/intent of the thread."

This is posted in the BST forum rules.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Armax,

You keep selectively reading PART of the rules to us; and now are changing to a different part of them, when the first failed to hold up to scrutiny.

Saint also said "These don't mean you can't debate the merits of something for sale, build vs buying, etc..." and "Don't be afraid to help each other avoid getting ripped off, but be polite about it please." in the same post.

Those of us opposed to posting ebay listings here are "selectively" operating under the "Don't be afraid to help each other avoid getting ripped off" rule.
As long as it's civil, it's OK.


On a side note, how you would have felt if I had posted the auctions for all the Hi-Lo shifters that I PM'ed you about, immediately after you had placed a bid?

Finding out what people WANT, and selectively PM'ing them, is a much better way to operate than open posts.
I've helped a few people here get what they wanted at significantly reduced prices by NOT advertising the auction to everyone.

You will actually help someone HERE, that is searching for a specific piece, rather than just driving prices up across the board, and helping some unknown seller somewhere.

[armax]

PM me and we'll discuss this.

[jfunk]

I always assumed thread poisoning was when posts in a thread were detrimental to the seller trying to sell his wares..

HOWEVER, since the original poster has no vested interest in the auction, can we really poison his post?  If it was HIS auction, and we were flaming the products or something, definite thread poisoning.  But this seems ambiguous.

Besides, I wasn't flaming, just lamenting the fact that now every joe with more money than time has seen an auction I hoped to win    Personally, I check eBay every day for stuff I want.  That's how the deals occur...

My $2.00 (inflated with gas prices...)

[armax]

Read the BST rule again, it's pretty clear and without conditions.

Thread poisoning occurs when a person comes into a thread and posts something contrary to the spirit/intent of the thread.

It seems pretty clear that it's intention was to prevent the very thing that is showing up on this thread.

[NoOne=NBA=]

PM me and we'll discuss this.  This has been done to death on the debate over this.

I'll try.

[quarterback]

the auctions for all the Hi-Lo shifters that I PM'ed you about

  Were you not aware of Armax's position on this topic and the fact that he posts ebay auction links here simply to annoy the people that disagree with his position

[armax]

the auctions for all the Hi-Lo shifters that I PM'ed you about

[nostrebor]

I think it's appropriate enough to remind some of the posters with a habit of violating BST rules and Saint's ruling on ebay postings, in order to prevent it in the future.  We've all seen how this subject blows into something ugly.  If I'm not mistaken, harassing those who post ebay postings in not condoned by Saint in the thread I posted.

Armax,

I think that you will find that this thread had been discussed and resolved, prior to your post. The OP certainly seemed to feel that way. If you had commented earlier, you post would have had some merit. As it stands your post only served to turn a completely resolved discussion back to the ugly side. From my perspective, you have violated your own rules.

Those of us active on BST are fully aware of your position on this particular subject. I do not see the merit in re-emphasizing your position at the point you chose on this thread. I'm sure another opportunity will arise, where you can get into the discussion early, and drive your point home, while it is still in context.