Buying Atari Jaguar Hardware and Software on eBay : eBay Guides

Buying Hardware and software for the

ATARI JAGUAR

I have for many years been a fan of the Atari Jaguar 64 Bit Interactive Game Console, but just lately I have become very concerned that a lot of buyers are being taken advantage of by misleading and inaccurate listings, either through ignorance or duplicity. One American dealer who consistently overcharges, is extremely arrogant and boasts openly how he rips the Jaguar community off by buying up any rare games on eBay then reselling them in his eBay shop with huge mark ups - his name - many will know already is Sweetsstuff4u he uses several other aliases when buying, Is believed to have been thrown off eBay for shill bidding on his own auctions and actively messages and abuses people that are bidding against him in auctions. Ill probably get abuse for mentioning his name here - but I dont care as its all true and documented, and as soon as I have his other ID's confirmed Ill post them here too.

Currently some of the prices being asked for are quite patently ridiculous. In many cases misleading descriptions describing common items as VERY RARE or standard accessories as being CUSTOM ACCESSORIES are taken at face value by new members who end up paying way over the accepted price. 

Here is a link to an eBay group I created for all people who buy Atari Jaguar merchandise from eBay:-

http://groups.ebay.co.uk/forum.jspa?forumID=300008006

On this group are several longtime collectors of Jaguar games and hardware who are very clued up on the 'going rate' for items. And are able to provide advice and guidance on locating and buying items at the best possible price. If I can get it put up there, there will also be a link to the Jaguar Sector II Price Guide, which has listings for just about everything ever produced for the Jaguar, including rare prototype items such as the Virtual Reality systems.

There are Jaguar items that are indeed VERY RARE and do command high prices but by and large the run of the mill standard Jaguar Hardware and software is still very reasonably priced and available mint boxed shrinkwrapped from many reputable eBay retro console suppliers. The forum will be what you make it - I try and put in regular snippets of news about the Atari Jaguar - whenever I can, but if you join dont be afraid to share your experiences and thoughts with the group - good or bad.

We hope to carry alerts about rogue dealers who rip people off in any way, be it overcharging on P&P, supplying faulty goods, shill bidding on their own auctions to drive up the price, or blatantly overcharging for items that are not rare. If considering buying anything Jaguar it might be adviseable to check the Atari Jaguar Groups Dealer alerts before placing your bid. Some of those very dealers may well be voting that this guide was unhelpful in an attempt to bury it, but at least this guide is open and honest and not just another blatant plug for the wares Im selling in my shop as most guides seem to be. (I do'nt actually have a shop Im not a professional).

When searching for Atari jaguar items - it is best to search worldwide, certain games are cheaper in different countries, and with the GB Pound being strong against the US Dollar at the moment it can be worth purchasing in the USA even with shipping costs. But always make sure you know what the shipping is going to be before you place your bid, I find dealers in the USA really pile on the 'handling' fees for shipping goods overseas.

Some items that are offered on eBay may be available cheaper direct from the maker - it is a fallacy that production of games for the Jaguar system has stopped, each year more and more full games swell the ranks of games available to Atari Jaguar owners.

I have written a short and simple basic troubleshooting guide for the Atari Jaguar and its CD add on for newcomers to the Atari Jaguar. This is written assuming a resurgence of interest in the system following the fantastic 10 page feature on the Jaguar system in Retro Gamer magazine issue 26 (July). Anyone wishing to see a fair and balanced appraisal of the Atari Jaguar could do no better than order a backissue copy of this edition, at last the record has been set straight and the true facts made public rather than the biased personal opinions that have long been aired as facts, yes the Jaguar actually was the worlds first 64 Bit system. The link for the troubleshooting guides should be found right next to the link for this guide.

Lastly in closing if you have something unusual Atari Jaguar Related I would be more than happy to give an open and honest appraisal of its value based on my experience, I hope you have found this basic guide of some assistance and wish you good luck collecting the Atari Jaguar.