ThinkGeek's "New" Dreamcasts May Not Be So New

[modeps]

http://evavhost.com/i/news/Dreamcast_logo.jpg

Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-thinkgeek-s-new-in-box-dreamcasts-not-so-new-132670.phtml) received a note from someone who wishes to remain anonymous about one of those NIB Dreamcasts that ThinkGeek was selling for a short period of time. Problem was, while they may have been IB, they don't appear to be N at all.

According to a tipster who wishes to remain anonymous, perhaps things aren't quite what they seem -- they may not be new at all. Our tipster was "fortunate" enough to place an order before they were sold out, and was disappointed by what he received.

"While the extra controller was new, the console was far from it," he writes. "The console itself is roughed up -- the barcode has been scratched, the console's plastic has gunk on it."

He continues on to mention damage to plastic from being expose to the light, a worn serial number sticker, scratches, "gunk" on the controller port, and more. All total, with shipping and delivery, our tipster tells us the Dreamcast cost nearly $200.

A request for a full refund has been submitted, which he hopes will cover costs of the console, shipping and handling charges; after two weeks, he's received no response from ThinkGeek.

That sucks. Hope not many people are out their scratch on used merch.

[Mozgus]

So who else called it? I was skeptical back when the deal was making the rounds. I just couldn't figure out how, if they truly were bought new, how they could possibly be turning around a respectable profit at the asking price, especially when you consider other factors like inflation.

[InfiniteAmmo]

ThinkGeek is a pretty reputable online retailer. If there is a problem, I'm betting it sure as hell is probably their supplier.

[Zander]

*Thinks about NIB backup DC has hidden in closet*

*grins*

[modeps]

PS: For those that don't know about the listing, here it is:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/games/ba52/

Looks like you can still get them... in 1-3 weeks.

[Samstag]

PS: For those that don't know about the listing, here it is:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/games/ba52/

Looks like you can still get them... in 1-3 weeks.

Clever! The customer returns from the first wave supply the second!

I kid. Thinkgeek is a stand-up operation and will make this right.

[swiftdraw]

ThinkGeek issues a an apology and responds

http://www.destructoid.com/thinkgeek-issues-apology-responds-to-old-dreamcast-debacle-132790.phtml

First, a little backstory: We came upon an amazing cache of new-in-box Dreamcasts not too long ago. We had a bunch of units shipped to us to inspect them, and indeed, though the boxes were a little worse for the wear on the outside, the consoles had nary a scratch and even the wire twists that bundled the cables had never been undone. It was like magic--magic that had been hiding in a warehouse, unknown, for years.

So we asked our source from whence these beautiful Dreamcasts came, and they didn't know--could've been a liquidator, or a Circuit City that had closed shop. (Hear that? It's the sound of a plot thickening.)

But we'd seen them with our own eyes and figured it was best to share our discovery with the world. Hundreds were snatched up quickly and squees were heard 'round the internets.

So far we've had 2 instances of not-so-new-in-box Dreamcasts. The individual who received the one reported here contacted us via email (which never appeared in our inbox, for some reason) and Twitter (through which we've taken care of the situation) has already been issued a return shipping label. We're more than happy to refund him for the Dreamcast as well as shipping.

We're very sorry about the whole thing--we never meant to ship used Dreamcasts. We know our customers are smarty pants and could tell if they'd been duped with a stale Dreamcast; we'd never get away with taking advantage of you guys, so why would we try?

And now we have 3 options: 1. Stop sharing the gift of new Dreamcasts; 2. Have them all shipped to us and inspect each one individually and then ship back to the warehouse; and 3. Continue spreading the (mostly) untainted Dreamcast love and working with the very few customers who get lemons.

We hope you'll understand why we're continuing to offer them on our site (when we get our grubby little paws on more, of course). And again, we apologize to the 2 customers who ended up with what appears to be returned merchandise.

--The ThinkGeek Monkeys

[lockwoodx]

good for them

[Zeal]

laugh now, but SEGA will rise again.

they were the best, remain the best, and always will be the best.

[UnderHero5]

they were the best, remain the best, and always will be the best.

When's the last time you played a Sega game?

[Blade]

I think you misspelled "Nintendo"...

That said, the Dreamcast (and Genesis) were marvelous.

[snubber]

And to think I threw my Dreamcast out in a recent move :( Didn't think it was worth anything!

[blackzc]

4 years ago you could buy DCs all day on ebay NIB for 99$. I should have stocked up.

[murpes]

When's the last time you played a Sega game?

More recently than the last time I heard somebody refer to money as "scratch." :)

[Stormwatcher]

Sega has some ups and downs nowadays. But they really killed most of their golden age franchises.