Verifying a PS3 from Craigslist?

[Pheran]

I'm thinking of buying a used PS3 (slim) from Craigslist. I'm wondering what I can do to verify its functionality "on the road." I do have an inverter so that I could power it up in my car, but unfortunately I don't have any small display that I could use with it. I guess I could at least check that the LEDs look normal on powerup (no YLOD)? Any other good ideas for verification?

 

[Lil Frier]

The best thing I would be able to think of is to have the guy take a video with the device powering on. Start the video at the serial number, with the console off, then have him turn it on, then maybe play a game or something. Then, watch the video, and compare the serial in the video to the one on your console of purchase.

 

[Bman123]

Never buy anything off craigslist that you can't see in action. That's a quick way to get scammed. Tell him to meet you at gamestop and have them test it like your gonna trade it in. When they say we will give you 60 for it say no thanks and leave with the system and pay the person.

 

[artemicion]

FYI, Cowboom is having a console flash sale today. I think PS3 slims (160gb+) are going for as low as $100 if you're willing to sift through their inventory. There's a trick you can use to get the website to give you a different frontpage deal of the day if the one they give you isn't the one you want. It's kind of hard to explain, but if you're interested I can post it here. I like Cowboom much better than Craigslist since the prices are comparable during flash sales and Cowboom is really good about free returns/exchanges.

Otherwise, I'd go with Bman123's suggestion and meet at a Gamestop (though I wouldn't be dishonest about it, I'd just straight up tell the Gamestop employee that you're buying something off of Craigslist and was hoping they could verify it for you. If it's not busy and you ask nicely, they're probably not going to turn you down).

Also, TELL the Craigslist guy you're buying from that you want to meet at a Gamestop and have them run their used console tests to verify functionality before you buy from them. If they're deliberately scamming you, they'll probably nix the deal (say it's already sold or whatever), so you can screen some sellers that way.

 

[Bman123]

Cowboom is a good idea I didn't even think about it

 

[Pheran]

Already bit on the Craigslist - I knew it was a risk but the deal was good enough for me to go for it. I got a 320GB slim (great shape) with 2 DS3 controllers for $100. It works, but during testing I've seen a few odd symptoms which are leading me to believe that the HD may be flaky. I'm doing a full format now, which takes an ungodly long time, so I'll be able to do further tests tomorrow. I think I'm just going to throw in a new 500GB HD regardless. If I end up with a 500GB slim (not the crappy super slim) with 2 DS3s for under $150 I will still count that as a good deal.

 

[Pheran]

The full format seems to have cleared things up nicely, so that was one heck of a deal. I've been playing some inFamous, which is a lot of fun. It reminds me a bit of Crackdown, but much better.

 

[Lil Frier]

I'm still hunting for a PS3 myself. I'm only trying to get one for Kingdom Hearts (need to play them before the new one is out on the Bone, only beat the first, CoM, and played some of the second in my time). So, I'm looking at one of the lower-end ones, in terms of storage (60-120 GB). However, CL sellers here are asinine with their prices ($150 for 2 controllers, 4 junk games, and a console without any specification about model or HDD size), so I've not made a move yet (hoping for 1 controller and a console for $75, though I know it's wishful thinking at its finest).

Anyway, what's the deal with the super-slim model, something wrong? Grats on getting the console you wanted, by the way, hope it works out.

 

[Pheran]

Anyway, what's the deal with the super-slim model, something wrong? Grats on getting the console you wanted, by the way, hope it works out.

It's top-loading. I don't know what idiot at Sony thought that a device which is regularly placed in entertainment centers should be made into a top-loader. If you don't have a problem with top-loading, then you may be OK with the super slim. For me it was a deal-breaker and as far as I'm concerned the (non-super) slim is the best PS3 model, as long as you don't care about PS2 compatibility.

 

[Pheran]

However, CL sellers here are asinine with their prices ($150 for 2 controllers, 4 junk games, and a console without any specification about model or HDD size), so I've not made a move yet (hoping for 1 controller and a console for $75, though I know it's wishful thinking at its finest).

And yeah, there are tons of idiots on Craiglist that think they can sell a PS3 for $300, or don't provide any info whatsoever about the model.