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ThinkGeek's 'new in box' Dreamcasts not so new (Update) photo

Remember those "new in box" Dreamcasts that ThinkGeek was selling awhile back? It was exciting stuff, so they sold out pretty quickly. If you didn't get one, too bad... or maybe you got off easy. 

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.

"I could have easily bought a used Dreamcast locally for $25," he says.

We've reached out to ThinkGeek for comment. Does anyone else have anything similar to report, or did your console ship "new" as advertised?

[Update: ThinkGeek has responded to this story. Check out the full update here.]


LAUNCH GALLERY (4 IMAGES)
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40 comments | showing # 1 to 40

CitizenErased's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:33
CitizenErased
Motherfuckers!
Jaren Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:35
Jaren Face
$25? I bought my used Dreamcast for $50 =\

Seriously though, that's some really sketchy stuff. I'd be interested to see what ThinkGeek had to say about the matter, though I expect a typical 'We assure you that the Dreamcasts we shipped are 100% new' cover up.
PappaDukes's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:40
PappaDukes
Fucktards!
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:47
bhive01
That's really lame of ThinkGeek. They should have checked that shit out.
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:48
Magnalon
I hope they're sued for this. It's pretty hard to cover up "we didn't bother to look at the shape of the consoles to see if they were actually new, like we advertised".
Doomsday Forte's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:50
Doomsday Forte
@bhive01: True, but look at the mad profits they made off of "new" Dreamcasts. I could simply be vilifying ThinkGeek, but given the hot demand for the console even now, "new" is insta-sell.
Haxan's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:50
Haxan
Okay, that's just wrong. That would have broken my heart into two separate ventricles. Poor guy.
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:52
ghets
Sneaky bastards! I actually tried to grab one but i couldnt rally up the cash quick enough. Good thing i guess. Bummer for the folks that got ripped off.
elmikey's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 14:53
elmikey
With a system that has been out of production for about 8 years, I think that could happen.
Grimspoon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:02
Grimspoon
I'd be absolutely furious!
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:03
Shin Oni
"I could have easily bought a used Dreamcast locally for $25,"

ok so is it me or is he already labeled stupid for paying 200 for something he could've bought locally for 25 or cheaper on Ebay?

I think Thinkgeek wins on this edition thanks to his stupidity shown above.
flaming burrito's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:12
flaming burrito
That sucks. I was wondering where they got a bunch of brand new dreamcasts out of the blue but I guess we know now. =\
PappaDukes's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:14
PappaDukes
@Shin - He bought it with the expectations that it would be brand new. Hell, I would pay almost $200 for a brand new in the box NES. Getting old, nostalgic items brand new in a box years after it's been discontinued is a collector's wet dream.
Segasonicdude's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:18
Segasonicdude
To buy a New in Box Sealed Console I would have only payed maybe $100

but me and my brothers already have 6 DC console, Prices when bought ranged $3(just the console no hookups but came with Ecco:DotF) to $50 (With Box, a few games, 4 controllers and all the hookups)
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:28
ScottyG
If you were dumb enough to buy one of those thinking you were getting a new console you got what you deserved. 99.9% of "new" stuff online isn't new, even more so when you're talking about older stuff.
PappaDukes's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:39
PappaDukes
@ScottyG - They didn't have to think, these consumers were told the consoles were brand new. That's fraud on ThinkGeek's part.
Now, I can understand if they went to a brick and mortar like Walmart or Gamestop, then they could have actually checked the merchandise to make sure they were actually brand new consoles. But come on, how exactly is an internet consumer "dumb" for buying something that was ADVERTISED to be in a specific condition?
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:40
HiddenAHB
Anybody who buy a Dreamcast online and thinks that he is new got what he deserve.
BenHaskett's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:47
BenHaskett
That really does suck prtty sad... sorry for your misfortune, mysterious DC buyer...
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:48
Magnalon
@HiddenAHB
Anyone who bought a Dreamcast new off of ebay or a private seller gets what they deserve.

True, yes.

Anyone who bought a Dreamcast off of a reputable, licensed company that is bound to the law, and finds that it is not as advertised as per their description, has a right to complain.

How in the world are you guys faulting this man for what ThinkGeek did? It's not stupid that he bought a "new" one instead of a used one because he is a collector. He decided that he'd rather get a brand new Dreamcast with a 5-10 year lifespan, instead of a crappy used one that will usually last you around 2-3 years.

Also, it's not unreasonable that some big company like ThinkGeek would buy up 20-30 Dreamcasts when SEGA was announcing that they were halting production with the intention to sell them at a later date, for a large amount of press. It makes sense doesn't it?
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 15:50
ghets
I can understand getting duped buy an independent seller on ebay or something. Ive actually expected it a few times, but when youre buying from what i assume is a trusted online retailer like ThinkGeek, i dont think its ridiculous or dumb to believe that what theyre selling is what they say it is.
AClockWorkMelon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 16:01
AClockWorkMelon
I agree. This isn't some shady dealer ripping people off. This is a large, popular and reputable company. I sincerely hope that this is a mistake or misunderstanding- and not a scam.
aaronf's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 16:10
aaronf
I'm going to give Think Geek the benefit of the doubt. They probably didn't know that they were used units being disguised as new ones. I'm sure they didn't open up every box and examine them all. Why don't we reserve judgement until some facts come out?
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 17:05
Holyetheline
That sucks that they still haven't even called the dude back yet after 2 weeks. How pitiful.
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 17:07
BluDesign
Think geek catches no slack on this. If I got sold something labeled as new and it turned out used, I'd call their customer service. If two weeks had passed with no reply, like in this case, I'd be on the phone with my credit card company asking for a chargeback. Think Geek is a big enough company to where they should be on top of making this right, by either issuing a discount or a refund. They haven't so far, so 'eff 'em.
DeusPayne's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 17:19
DeusPayne
Heh, weird, I was JUST looking at the think geek page for this today. I was wondering how they could have it listed as 'in stock except for the console'. If it's new, then shouldn't they either have all the contents, or none? I guess the simplest answer is that everything BUT the console is new, which is what happened to this guy. It's like d-toid KNEW what I was thinking, and reported on it.
Calamansi's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 17:40
Calamansi
Paying 200 bucks for a Sega Dreamcast new or used is foolish.

It's not quite as foolish as selling a product as new when it is in fact not.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 17:50
Chronic Logic
ThingGeek screwing over their customers? I hope this is just a retail accident and something worse.
xenon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 18:20
xenon
They cost 200$?!? I had missed that part. Well, fools and their money...
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 18:34
DaedHead8
That sucks for the anonymous tipster. I hope he is able to get the refund he deserves.
Mr Kite's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 19:04
Mr Kite
@The Reborn

The Dreamcast will never die!
Itspronouncedstuffyanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 19:14
Itspronouncedstuffyanus
Well I guess I'll take myself off their list of people to notify when they receive more stock. Sigh. Maybe one day we'll get a system that's half as good as the Dreamcast was for it's generation.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 19:52
DinnertimeNinja
First off, it costs $100 on thinkgeek and even with shipping, there's no way this would put the guy at anywhere near $200. Maybe if he got 3 extra controllers or ordered overnight shipping (which would be further stupidity at hand) Either way, $100 is an absurd price to pay for a Dreamcast in ANY shape.

Second, Thinkgeek has ALWAYS had some of the best customer service and shipping policies of any site I've ever been on (I've placed at least a dozen orders there). I'm almost inclined to believe this guy is lying or at the very least sent his complaint email to the wrong place if he hasn't heard from them in two weeks. I've sent in questions by email (and called them) and I get responses within a day.

Third, even if this is completely true, I don't think Thinkgeek is to blame. From what I understand, basically someone came across a large shipment of "new in-box" dreamcasts and Thinkgeek understandably bought them all up. It seems far more likely that Thinkgeek was duped and that this stock of dreamcasts was of factory refurbished ones instead. They could open a couple of boxes, see everything wrapped up as if new and assume they were all this way. As I'm sure you all know, refurbished item quality can vary DRASTICALLY from unit to unit.

Don't let this story tarnish the reputation of such an amazing site.
free touch's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 20:07
free touch
what's funny, is you think you can get a misb nintendo for #$200 or a MISB DC for $100.

Collectors will snipe the hell out of them, and they will go for biiiiig bucks.
John B's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 20:17
John B
@DinnertimeNinja:

I completely agree. Yes, sometimes they sell total crap that breaks when you breathe on it, but they've never given me a problem on any return, they ship hella fast (of course I'm only about 200 miles from them), and their customer service has always been top notch.

It's certainly possible that he got a bad apple from the basket. That happens even on products coming off the assembly lines this very second. But there's something here that's making my bullshit detector go off. Something's not being told.
superezekiel's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 20:40
superezekiel
I bought one of these Dreamcasts for 99 bucks (not sure why he ended up paying 200, I paid 110 total for 10 dollar shipping. I guess he picked "Beam from the fucking Enterprise" as his shipping.) and it is definitely new. It's shining new (for a matte finish, that's very impressive) no problem with the label, no knicks, no scratches. It runs like a dream (CAST, LMFAO) and I couldn't have asked for a better miracle than what ThinkGeek "stumbled" upon.

This guy just happens to be a damn liar.

200 fucking dollars. Fuck this guy.
Hellbender's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 21:13
Hellbender
Definately some info lacking here. I've ordered from ThinkGeek a few times, and always have been satisfied with the site. I think that a few posters here are jumping on the hate bandwagon, seeing as their making their judgments purely on one guys evidence, who is anonymous to boot. sketchy stuff.
poonster's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/19/2009 21:17
poonster
the babes must LOVE those Transformers bed sheets also.....
JoeCamNet's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/20/2009 04:34
JoeCamNet
$200 total? Was he international? Maybe that has to do with the inflated cost?
Still sucks.
smoger's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/20/2009 07:41
smoger
im thinking this guy is full of shit and just looking to drum up public support to strongarm thinkgeek into tossing him some cash. maybe he's trying to swap out his old beat up dreamcast for the brand new one that surely cost him far less than 200 bucks.
ThinkGeek's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/20/2009 11:43
ThinkGeek
Hello from ThinkGeekland!

We emailed Destructoid's editors late last night but haven't seen the posted amended, so here's our Official Apology, in blog comment form.

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
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