Hey Everyone, Once in a while I see on other forums people posting mystery box items where you could get some valuable items or just medium to junk level stuff (depending on what box you pick). Naturally, what's good and what's junk depends on the seller as well as the receiver, but given the nature of the way it works there is always the possibility that no box has anything decent. So how do people personally feel about this? Do most people view this kind of sale a scam? Or a legit purchase? I assume a great deal opinion would depend on if you view the purchase as being an investment, or just a fun time gambling. Others?
Specifically prohibited in the sale rules. Personally I'd rather a seller just state what they have, broken or otherwise.
Gambling. IMO, the person knows what they are doing when they pay to enter it. A website I buy shirts from has a deal like this. I recently bought two of these (Normally $6 but were 2.95 from mystery bag. I got a shirt I already had and a good one I didn't.
Yep, I'm aware they are prohibited here. This was more of question to get peoples opinion on the matter than actual motivation to do so. I suspect that the more one is inclined to gambling, the more one is willing to accept mystery box sales. @Cyantist: Is it a total mystery? Or do you at least get to specify what size you are? (^_^);
To me it depends on who is organizing it. If it where a random forum user or on ebay I say scam. Yet when you know you get A specific type of item but not the exact model and is done by a trusted organization i'm cool with it. Pretty much like when you buy a gashapon figure (you know you're getting a figure, just don't know which one).
Trenton is a reasonably well respected seller. I'd still rather see him selling things openly than some random system. If you have something you want to sell, sell it. Don't make people guess.
The CGE auction has some great mystery box sales. An Atari 2600 Video Life was auctioned off this way. Results will depend on the seller.
It depends, the Japanese store mystery bags are amazing most times. Send me a pm if you're looking to unload in bulk, I buy in bulk.
Heh, well just to be clear I'm asking this because it's an interesting topic to talk about. I have no desire to sell any mystery goods or boxes. Everything I have/will have for sale is straight, upfront, and honest. Subbie makes a really good point with Gashapon toys. I totally ignored the fact that your basically doing soft-gambling every time you buy one. But the again, it's very unlikely that Bandai or something will try to rip you off. (^_^); Speaking of games, has anyone done Geo-caching or whatever that's called? Where you plant a gift in a box for someone else to find, and they add a gift to the box and take one out? EDIT: And yes, Japanese grab bags are great. Nothing like the crap you get elsewhere.
Gracian1337 I know used to do Geocaching. I almost bought grab bags when I was at a con. A local retro shop does those, and I got some famicom ones. Worthless junk, one of the carts didn't even work.
Heh, I guess the better question is: Who went for a grab bag and ended up getting crap? I mean unfair or borderline unfair (in your eyes) crap?
The only mystery about mystery bags is why do people buy them when they all know they're getting crap.
Why bother taking the mystery box when you could have a boat?? BUT the mystery box could be anything, it could even be a boat!
it works for Woot's bag o crap I definitely don't think it works as well from an individual seller though, as they are much less likely to put something of legitimate worth in the random box they assemble
