The Mercury, that is...

So what do you think I should start the bidding at on eBay?

Click on the images below for a closer look.

wow! If you will put it on ebay, ebay people will become crazy ;D......(Surely, i will not able to make offers....too much for me :'(, at least i thik..)

But, i not still understand the reason...Why you want sell it???

IMHO you should wait until the beginning of the new month, because one thing is quite similar all over the world :

At the end of the month, money is usually 'a bit tighter' than at the beginning of a new one ;)

IMHO, you should safely be able to have it start at 1$.
When people hear about it, they will take their best shot at it...

Ihave an awful lot of money tied up in it to dangle it out there for 1 dollar.

Should I put a reserve on it or BIN option?

wrote on 13.02.05 at 23:16:47:

But, i not still understand the reason...Why you want sell it???

My wife was just starting to get used to the idea that the "Brick" only counts as 1 3dfx card as we have agreed that I will only collect 5 3dfx cards. When she saw the Mercury case, we started to have problems again. I told her I was only building it to sell on ebay. She doesn't believe me. I didn't know it could get this cold in San Diego, California :-[

id wait till right after the 1st like the 5th or 6th and put max days to run.

your merc is spotless and runs perfect, looks brand new, id put a reserve of some kind so you dont lose your butt, ive seen it in person and it seems to be in
as close to brand new conditin as you can get.

when you sell that baby things will warm up ::)

You just have to calculate the following:

How much did the cards cost
How much did the other internals cost
How much did the case cost.
How many hours did you spend on it (x10 for hourly wage :P)
And then add some overhead. That'll be your starting bid.

I would just keep it, you have 3dfx as your hobby, and I must say don't let others mislead your hobby, I think that your wife also has hobbies on which she likes also. anyway I don't want you to see this as a threat but see it more as a true fact. But then again you could also get like 3500-4000 USD for it if you sell it for a well made deal.

Yeah gamma! i agree with Obi-Wan.....To have hobbies is wonderful thing! i not understand......If your wife was agree to hold mecury system at home, you would sell it? I think no!.......Any way, you are able to say how much it has cost assembly q3d system? (the "brick", q3d case and so on......)

wrote on 14.02.05 at 00:08:10:

I would just keep it, you have 3dfx as your hobby, and I must say don't let others mislead your hobby, I think that your wife also has hobbies on which she likes also. .

More easy said then done, especially if an agreement was made.

yeap, this time i have to lean to gary..
priorities.. come first

wrote on 14.02.05 at 00:04:35:

You just have to calculate the following: How much did the cards cost How much did the other internals cost How much did the case cost. How many hours did you spend on it (x10 for hourly wage :P) And then add some overhead. That'll be your starting bid.

Well, as I told some of you before, I'm not in it for the money. True, it is a hobby (3dfx). I really enjoyed building it and wouldn't dream of charging for labor as the was the most enjoyable part of the project. Sure I'm hoping to get my money back and if I make a few $$ on the deal hopefully my O'lady won't be so critical of the next project.

Problem is, I don't think I will ever have anything as nice as this again. I am dreaming of some day owning a AAlchemy like the one Gary is putting together. If I start an AAlchemy project I won't be accused of breaching our agreement of 5 cards or less as it is clearly only one card. She flipped when she first saw the brick, Man! was she ticked off!!

at least she would feel lucky having a very understanding husband who puts her first then the hobby.

;D
LOL, I like that agreement part thing.. feels like u're dealing with a lawyer

Yeah I know, My daughter got me in trouble the other day. She said "Dad do you know how many computers you have here in the kitchen/family room?

The bad part is I had to count them.

I said, "well 7 if you count my lap top". And she corrected me and said "what about this one over here?" And I responded "Honey that's your Laptop?"

I looked over at my wife and realized that I was trying to defend a position that has no defense.

Hm, pretty bad position indeed.

Anyway, no matter for how much you insert it into Ebay, it will not just go away for a few bucks.

But if you want to be sure, just put it in for whatever you think it is worth.
Beware though, that
a) a Reserve keeps alot of people away (people hate reserves)
b) a starting price set too high will scare-off people as well

yeap, thats the few things that many people forget to look at a buyer's point of view

we always just look at the seller's point of view sometimes.

7 computers. wow, now definately u can't defend that.
its time to offload about 50% of it to make some space for your family I think.

wrote on 14.02.05 at 17:33:56:

its time to offload about 50% of it to make some space for your family I think.

Need one of these to tidy things up ;-)

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/40000128/Images/COMPUTER%20RACK%2019%20INCH_0001.jpg

wrote on 14.02.05 at 18:45:08:

Need one of these to tidy things up ;-) http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/40000128/Images/COMPUTER%20RACK%2019%20INCH_0001.jpg

In general would be a good idea, but at this point, i think that it would bring more difficulties in family...

Well there is a nice lesson to be learned here. The wife is most of the time in charge at home. I will wait till I am 30+ before I even think of getting maried. If I would even think of getting married with a girl, I am sure to let  here know that I have some other hobbies  ;) Well probably my future wife would have hobbies of her own too.

wrote on 14.02.05 at 19:15:39:

Well there is a nice lesson to be learned here. The wife is most of the time in charge at home.

No- The lesson is to make a deal that both sides can keep. Relationships are give and take and based on trust, breaking that trust isn't a good thing even for a hobby.

It implies to the other partner something else maybe more important then the relationship.

Speaking about the poop hitting the fan-

http://i16.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/60/4f/ab_12_sb.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6152705800

Yes, it is 3dfx powered!

Quantum3D Obsidian2 if my research is correct.

:D
I always played this title ;)....Obsi2?...wow who would have said it!

wrote on 14.02.05 at 06:52:24:

My daughter got me in trouble the other day. She said "Dad do you know how many computers you have here in the kitchen/family room?

I guess stupid and young brainless people like me can't understand it, but why on earth should I share my life with somebody else if it will always always always end up with things like gamma742 says, where there's a (big) problem?

:-/

I mean, I can see why they always tell me life is much more complicated than "you and your tons of videogames you love so much".

:'(

Anyway, if getting rid of some of your beloved collection can help putting things back on the right way, then don't hesitate (if you can make some money with that, even better).

Talking about Gauntlet Legends (which is such a bad game), it's also been released on the N64 (my favourite console). Here are some screens of the N64 version (http://www.gamepro.com/screen_gallery.cfm?product_id=1081&genustext=N64&family=). Does it look worse than the arcade version?

wrote on 14.02.05 at 19:20:09:

No- The lesson is to make a deal that both sides can keep. Relationships are give and take and based on trust, breaking that trust isn't a good thing even for a hobby. It implies to the other partner something else maybe more important then the relationship.

Yeah Gary's right. In my case, It's just a misunderstanding. I still maintain that a "Brick" is one Voodoo2 Video Card. My wife still thinks that it is four cards and I'm trying to pull a fast one. She's a pretty good gal :) I got married sort of young (20) and if you haven't checked my profile I'm an old dude now. She's been my wife for 27 years and I'm not going to let a Mercury System come between us.

I thinking about listing it next Thursday as a 10 day auction ending Sunday afternoon Pacific Time I'm GMT -08:00 Offered Worldwide of couse.

It's slightly heavier that a standard PC. I never shipped anything larger than a Voodoo card. Anyone have any ideas on the shipping costs? I know there will be questions. I better start looking for a suitable box and packing material. Ehh, I'm not feeling so good now. It's starting to sink in :'(

wrote on 14.02.05 at 21:17:23:

Talking about Gauntlet Legends (which is such a bad game), it's also been released on the N64 (my favourite console).

Have you played the arcade version?

arcade versions are always awesome,
hey gary, maybe I should stop by your place for some entertainment before I leave the US.

i got a bunch of quarters that I won't be converting to notes   ::)

wrote on 15.02.05 at 00:16:24:

maybe I should stop by your place for some entertainment before I leave the US.

Where are you off to? You didn't join the army did ya?

wrote on 14.02.05 at 21:33:39:

Have you played the arcade version?

No, just the "home" version. I mean the difference between arcade and home versions can't be like the difference between Ultimate Doom and Doom III... yes?

wrote on 15.02.05 at 04:11:38:

Where are you off to? You didn't join the army did ya?

im going home to Malaysia. Graduated and I can't get an H-1 working visa here.
So chances are really slim for me to stay back and start a career.
therefore, mindset --> home and start a new life again

i'm gonna miss ebaying here alot.
and also the quality of life here.
Nevertheless 4 years here has given me an experience of a lifetime.
living with people, coping with attitudes, study problems, love life crisis (facing now), LOL.. and most importantly meeting people around the world!  ::)

You're right, <<life's a game>>, as Nintendo says!

;)

I don't really know you but I hope you'll be going fine!

it is..
initially I had plans to work here for 2 to 3 years for some working experience,
that would put me in advantage before I go home..

at least I won't start like a regular fresh grad..
and definately easier to find a job that I want.

however, life has a way to play things around...
and i know I will not always get things the way I plan for

wrote on 15.02.05 at 18:33:55:

im going home to Malaysia. Graduated and I can't get an H-1 working visa here. So chances are really slim for me to stay back and start a career. therefore, mindset --> home and start a new life again i'm gonna miss ebaying here alot.

So are you going to take my Mercury System to Malaysia ;)

It would be a nice prize to take home wouldn't it ;D

ahaha, im going air freight,
thats gonna go by weight and dimensions too

nope mercury is outta the question,
I got my 200SBis and I'm happy with what I got,

Yeah shipping will probably keep a lot of people away. But I only charge actual so if you put it on a slow boat ;)

I need to do some checking. I read a post earlier where someone was charged $100 USD for a 200SBi going overseas. That's just Crazy!! I sent a x-24 w/fan to Chosen_One (Germany) in a retail box well packed in a larger box sent "Air Parcel Post for only $22.75 and for only $2.60 more I added $100.00 insurance.

Chosen_One did have to go to customs (again Germany) and explain that he was a collector and that the video card was 7 years old and of little value except to him as a collector. so he got it passed through with no additional taxes/fees  ;D

yeah slow boat.
however parcel post service do not include a tracking number for sure.

eitherway, not really a whole system 3dfx guy..
would shoot for cards rather..
:)

also, the financial factor. Parents aren't supporting me now as they know im old enough to earn for my own living.. ( more like since 5 months ago )
which means im kinda tight now that is coming to the end of my stay..

wrote on 18.02.05 at 06:44:35:

yeah slow boat. however parcel post service do not include a tracking number for sure.

Hmmm, I haven't done too much overseas shipping but I thought parcel post you could add insurance or tracking (for a fee of course).



Quote:

Parents aren't supporting me now as they know im old enough to earn for my own living.. ( more like since 5 months ago )

It's tough starting off. I've been transfered a few times and each time it felt like I was starting over. I've been very fortunate lately. I transfered to San Diego in 92 when my daughter was in kindergarten, now she's in college. Gosh I'm getting old.

yes insurance they do, but no tracking unless you use EMS ( Express Mail Service )

I see, if your daughter is in college...
yeap.. you woulda been financially stable by now :)

bah, these two months here hasn't been too rosy..
broke up with my girlfriend..  :(
only 3dfx to keep me going for the next 8 weeks or so

even friends are leaving one by one.
employement rate for undergrads in the US suck big time. ( talking about foreign students )

The wife telling you to sell it is not a good reason to sell IMO. That would be the day my wife would get away with that. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't tell he to do something like that either... We didn't make 26 years pushing eachother around.

wrote on 19.02.05 at 07:54:03:

The wife telling you to sell it is not a good reason to sell IMO. .

He made a deal with his wife, he is doing the honorable thing by keeping it.

Okay, it is listed. Let the bidding begin.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5169776085

Starting bid: US $865.00

Ugh, cough.

Would my left kidney, left lung, some skin, my hair, 2 liters of my blood and an eye suffice? ;D

j/k

wrote on 25.02.05 at 13:02:12:

Starting bid: US $865.00

Sounds reasonable, I paid almost that just for a working brick.

I just couldn't bring myself to listing it for a buck.


Don't bid, Maybe I can keep it ;D j/k

yeap. reasonable price

It's getting a few hits. Lots of watchers. Could be for intertainment though. Well at least everyone interested can take a shot at it ;)

I wish to you to get right price that pay you for hard work on it ;)....

wrote on 26.02.05 at 20:14:57:

I wish to you to get right price that pay you for hard work on it ;)....

I am really only trying to get my investment back, if possible. The starting price is a loss, but highest acceptable loss that I can afford to incur (if that makes sense). The hard work was the fun part as I enjoy working on computers. It was a blast to build and a lot of satisfaction when completed.

I had a great time when VDX came over to my place to see it. We spent the better part of the day together talking 3dfx. Now it pretty much just sits there waiting to be boxed up and shipped out. I hope to get some excitement out the the auction process. Right now it's kind of slow. It will make a fine addition to someones collection. I am proud to have once owned it. Maybe I can build a AAlchemy next ;D

mind I ask how old you are gamma?

im 23 here.

Sure. It's no secret. I'm probably the old member here. :-/ Check my profile ::)

did just that,
I wonder if I still have that much enthusiasm with 3dfx by the time I reach where you are.

Time just has a way to change a person drastically  :P

My first 3dfx card was a 4 MB Diamond Monster card that a purchase in the fall of 96. It was installed in my New Dell Dimension 133MHz 16 MB Win95 to compliment my 2 MB Number 9 card. I invited 2 of my best friends over to see Descent 2 (D2Voodoo Patched) and GLQuake. They were so amazed that they left my house together and went straight to the computer store and bought the last 2 they had. We all went to V2 and V3 together but I went V5 alone. They moved on, one to Radeon and the other to Nvidia. I am still an active 3dfx legacy gamer with my 100SB 4440 and my 200SBi 8440. Hoping to some day own a V5 6K to play Descent 3 FSAA x 4. That's my favorite game. It looked great 4 X on the V5 5500 but got a little choppy in battle and I had to back it down to 2 X to be playable. My collecting differs from most as I don't have that many cards but each card is in it's respective computer 8)

Descent 3 won't run on the Mercury :'(

Quote:

Hoping to some day own a V5 6K to play Descent 3 FSAA x 4.

X8 looks even better

;D  

Yup, i think so too ;)

I hope the same for me :-/

I still would want to see a descent4 or so, I mis that title, even if there was a Descent4 Doom3 and the rest would of been nowhere :) Descent4 Invasion would of been the name. Just hope we shall see a Descent game soon, FSAA x8 hehe sure looks nice even on a 6800 but FSAA x6 on my M18 aka MR9800 with an 8 piped 110Mil transistored R420 VPU, beats the FSAA x8 of NV but 3dfx FSAA is still the best overall I must assume ;)

I'm the same age as you gamma742.  My first card was a 4 MB Diamond Monster which I still have installed in one of the two machines in front of me (KVM switchable).  I will never forget switching from software rendered DOS Quake to GLQuake in Windows.  You could feel revolution in the air!  ;D

wrote on 05.03.05 at 20:06:06:

I'm the same age as you gamma742.  My first card was a 4 MB Diamond Monster which I still have installed in one of the two machines in front of me (KVM switchable).  I will never forget switching from software rendered DOS Quake to GLQuake in Windows.  You could feel revolution in the air!  ;D

What I like the most is today because of ebay I can actually own some of the Q3D cards that I only dreamed of owning in the past. I never thought I would ever own a 100SB 4440 or a 200SBi and now I am the proud owner of both. After I sell the Mercury System, I hope to aquire  V5 6000. Because of ebay and some friends I have made here at FalconFly-Central, it's more than a dream but a possiblility and hopefully a reality.

wrote on 26.02.05 at 20:53:01:

I hope to get some excitement out the the auction process.

Quote:

The starting price is a loss, but highest acceptable loss that I can afford to incur

Gee, I hope it picks up :-/

I listed it on ebay instead of a private deal to not only get a little excitement but also to give everyone interested a chance at it ;)

The last thing I want to hear is my wife saying "I told you so :P"

hi, so are you satisfied with it?
i know its not an impressive price. But Hope its all good for ya

885 US$...hm...not the prize you want to sell it...

Could not have gone to a better bidder! :P

She looks after her 3dfx collections very well. :)

Congratulations to Patience! :D Well gone girl!  ;D

It's gone to a good home.  She will look after it well.  :)

wrote on 07.03.05 at 18:35:46:

It's gone to a good home.  She will look after it well.  :)

Yes, Definately going to a good home ;)

It shall be missed :'(

@Gamma742 - maybe you can buy it back some day you have lots of $$$ to spare... ;)

...and maybe hell will freeze over too...LOL! ::)

But in retrospect, it couldn't have gone to a better home! 8)

Quote:

But in retrospect, it couldn't have gone to a better home!

I gave everone a fair shot at it. I guess most people are more interested on "cards only".

I was surprise that more people (including you) didn't bid.

She got a good price (below cost). :-[

I'm a student - so it kinda' makes sense I wouldn't bid! :'(

Would have 'liked' to - but I need to win the lottery first...or get a job for Microsoft or something... ::)

LOL! ;D