Which would you buy from?

[rhoelsch]

Suppose you're in the US, buying a mod-type device-- which vendor would you choose, and why?

1. Canadian shop with very decent reviews, higher prices, and have to deal with US customs
or
2. US shop across the country with few reviews except for a few recent ones and reasonable pricing

[hypernova]

If you divulge the vendors, you may get some actual reviews of their services.  So who are they?

[gonzo90017]

1.

[shmokes]

Considering the recent crackdown on U.S. modchip shops, I'd probably go Canadian if possible.  When the Feds walk in and seize all the computers at a mod-chip shop, those guys now know that you've got a modded system.  If some ---uvula--- overachiever ever decides to take the war to a different front, and go after the end-user, you don't want your name showing up on an FBI list . . .

[AcidArmitage]

i just had *something* shipped from canada yesterday... ill tell you if it comes with a nintendo scion full of lawyers

[rhoelsch]

Thanks -- if anyone wants the vendors, PM me... I don't want to name names on public boards... as far as Canada goes, isn't Customs one of the dept.s involved in cracking down on that stuff to begin with?

[ChadTower]

Considering the recent crackdown on U.S. modchip shops, I'd probably go Canadian if possible.  When the Feds walk in and seize all the computers at a mod-chip shop, those guys now know that you've got a modded system.  If some ---uvula--- overachiever ever decides to take the war to a different front, and go after the end-user, you don't want your name showing up on an FBI list . . .

It happened with DirecTV hackers.  They started sending out "settlement offers" to people that had been on drop ship list from where hacking hardware was being sent out.  Many people got scared and agreed to the settlement - it was 4 figures, IIRC.  Others brought the offer to an attorney, still others ignored it.  I don't remember them going so far as to actually try and bring charges against any individual end users, though.

[danny_galaga]

move to australia. 'the man' doesnt care about modding consoles here 

[ChadTower]

Did you notice last year when all of those chip sellers got whacked?

[Howard_Casto]

move to australia. 'the man' doesnt care about modding consoles here 

Probably because Australia doesn't make a game console and the businesses there don't have their panties in a wad over potential piracy.  Game piracy crack-downs in the US didn't happen really get into full swing until the xbox came on the scene.  Of course the fact that nintendo of america and sony's american division are actually bigger than their japaneese counterparts didn't hurt either. 

[ahofle]

Try searching for a press release (there are tons of them).

http://kotaku.com/gaming/piracy/massive-mod-chip-raid-sweeps-nation-285007.php

"Illicit devices like the ones targeted today are created with one purpose in mind, subverting copyright protections," said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The "illegal" modchips were specifically targeted, not bootleg games.