Went into the only game shop near my home here in Saitama, Japan (well, within easy walking distance) and saw they had a used red Mario 25th anniversary Wii. The tag on it said "Like New Condition" and the price reflected it, at Y16,500 ($214); but I had been on the look out for one of these, this month has been great for video sales, and I really took a shining to playing Donkey Kong Country Returns over at my girlfriend's parent's house... so I bought it. I was cleaning up the house to day and I thought I'd hook it up, so I took the box and admired how minty fresh it was. Very minty, and very fresh. Just like new! I opened the cardboard flaps and smiled at the little Marios and the "thank you" message. Took out the first tray and noted that none of the original bags that the parts were originally packaged in were included... OK, no big deal. Then I got to the console... It has scuffs all along the side of it, especially on the top near the GC control ports, and the bottom near where you'd put it in the silver stand. Bottom TOP The entire side is also pretty marked... scruffs and whatnot Now I know I should have inspected the unit before I bought it, but it wasn't a recycle shop or anything, it was a dedicated game store and the sign advertising it said in big, bright kanji "Just Like New". I haven't hooked it up, and I still have the receipt. If it had only been like $100 I would be so but hurt, but I feel like I paid a premium for a special console that was ganked. Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but I take my gaming seriously. Maybe too much so. What do you think?
I do like the way you are mentioning the dollar rate, as if it is the Japanese fault that the dollar is worth shite Please take photos of any boxed as new wiis you see in shops for <= Y7500 In fairness if you looked at yahoo auctions you ain't going to get a 25th aniversary wiis for less then Y20000, or you can get a scratched one for Y15000, although it's worse then the one you have. If it bothers you then take it back and hope they don't call you a stupid gaijin behind your back
I mentioned the yen rate so people are better able to put in perspective what I paid, that's all. I've seen Wiis all over the place here, from Y4500 unboxed to Y14500 boxed and ranges in-between (white and black- I usually don't see red). I don't care if they call me a stupid gaijin. The point is that it was advertised as like new. On the sheet where they list problems where it said "scratches" they had circled "None." I spent my money based on false pretenses.
Fair enough, take it back if it was advertised as scratch free. Any money they stick it back as it was
Opinions differ so it's a judgment call. If it bugs you that much then return it. I would ask myself though if the scuff marks are common on that system and would they have happened anyway? If they happen anyway is it worth the trouble taking it back?
I figured that. I was going to get my GF. As to whether the scratches are normal wear and tear, they're not. I even tried to figure out what you could to to get those scratches... The top and bottom scratches aren't consistent, so they came from different things. The top scratches are like someone with long nails constantly had trouble opening the GC controller port... but really lit's like the mark you'd get on a cell phone if it were constantly rubbing on the keys in your pocket. The bottom scratches are like if someone keyed a car. The scratches on the body are random and in different directions. The stand's never been opened, so my theory is that whoever had it before me kept it on its side and kept putting various wire baskets on top of it. Sliding them on and off. Poor Little Wii:crying: Now if there was a way to repair it, I gladly would.
This is Japan. Take no shit. Like new in Japan means LIKE NEW! Not Ebay "Like New" Take it back and get a full refund. If they start to give you any lip just fight back. Japanese ALWAYS back down. I know for sure I'd be taking that back. There's no way in hell that is like new. Yakumo
My GF said that the scratches made it look not new, but I shouldn't be so upset by them... so I guess I'll keep it. She also freaked out when she saw the price^^;
If you haven't seen it yet, you'd probably (greatly) enjoy the King of the Hill episode "Returning Japanese". Part 2 especially. Like new to me means "it's new but we can't say that because our filthy mitts have been laid directly on the plastic". Unless Nintendo is selling Wiis these days pre-fucked up I can't imagine that is "like new".
Take it back man. 100% you will get your money back. It is NOT like new. I've had small indie game stores pull shit like that on me before. I once picked up a Mega Cd that said like new yet it was scratched to buggery and covered in sticky crap around the back. Got a full refund plus 2000 yen in store points. Yakumo
I AM RETURNING IT Set it up to test it and found that the Mario 25th Anniversary game had been deleted off the system. Thing was sold as complete... Taking it back tomorrow and complaining about the scratches and the missing game.
How the hell does something get scratches that bad? That said most of my electronics stay stationary for years (don't like moving room around) and it may be a side effect but that is NOT like new.
Yesterday I took the tie and went to some used shops and examined their used Wiis. A lot of them have marks and scratches on them that I'm not use to seeing on consoles. My guess it that it's because of the glossy plastic Nintendo is using. It's cheap and soft, and because of the extreme gloss it collects fingerprints and scratches like mad. But a lot the the will I saw were definitely in noticeably used condition... not as bad as this one, though.
You should see some of the Wii in the local CeX stores here. I'd be pissed if that console was bought by me, of course though, I always ask to see the console before buying. Got lucky with my launch PS3 in CeX, minty fresh and unmarked.
