Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« on: August 3, 2005, 05:49AM » |
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So here's how we can describe Dick: A guy who likes his cars fast, his modems slow and his chess computers with reverse notation 
Ismenio
PS: Congrats on yet another CC1! Hopefully you are contributing for the prices to come down and other collectors will have a chance to get one for more interesting prices now What is it that they say? Supply and demand!
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Dick Schneiders
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My favorite move is a Queen sacrifice???
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #1 on: August 2, 2005, 04:58PM » |
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Quote from: Mike Watters on July 30, 2005, 02:13AM
Quote:He probably will still get about what the CC1 is worth, because there will be bidders that are not aware of all the background, or who simply don't care. I might actually end up falling into the latter category, if I have a weak moment. 
Hopefully, I can take the higher ground here, and refrain from bidding, but I sometimes do things that I know I shouldn't. 
Dick Schneiders
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I knew that Ismenio should have abandoned his New York State trip and headed for Kansas. We weren't there for you when you needed someone to stop you pressing that bid button. 
Still it is a CC1 and now to be in very good hands. Congratulations. 
As long as you don't use it on me as trading bait. 
Mike
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Mike,
Well, I was actually driving one of my BMW's across the US at 90 mph when the auction closed. Before I left on my trip, I used one of the automated bid sites to place the minimum bid the seller would allow, never dreaming that I would win the item. I feel a bit embarrassed that I ended up with this one, since it was such a strange situation.
I am using my brother's computer on a 28k modem to write this!! He lives in the country and this seems to be all that he can get. I never knew how slow Internet access could be until now. 
All I wanted on this CC1 was the box and I think that the board is in better condition than either of my other ones.
Remember when I didn't even want one of these! 
Dick Schneiders
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Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2005, 06:04PM » |
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Aha! So one of the 3 caballeros strikes again 
Well, one more serial # to add to the list!
And one more quest for original CC1 pieces starts...
Hmmm... so there's a special group of collectors collecting CC1s!!! 
By the way, the trip to NY tourned out to be intersting. I got some goodies I'll be sharing with you over the next days. And I also got something for you Mike 
Ismenio
PS: I edited the message with the pictures because they're pretty big! And you guys didn't tell me that! I had to log on from a hotel using my cell phone as a model to notice that 
So I left the links only.
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Mike Watters
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Another day, another blunder.
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2005, 02:13AM » |
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Quote:He probably will still get about what the CC1 is worth, because there will be bidders that are not aware of all the background, or who simply don't care. I might actually end up falling into the latter category, if I have a weak moment. 
Hopefully, I can take the higher ground here, and refrain from bidding, but I sometimes do things that I know I shouldn't. 
Dick Schneiders
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I knew that Ismenio should have abandoned his New York State trip and headed for Kansas. We weren't there for you when you needed someone to stop you pressing that bid button. 
Still it is a CC1 and now to be in very good hands. Congratulations. 
As long as you don't use it on me as trading bait. 
Mike
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Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2005, 03:40AM » |
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Update. For those interested. The seller responded to my request for pictures (I asked him before Dick's post). Here they are. You can also see the links to them in the auction (see his reply to me).
http://www.geocities.com/ahmetd/chess1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/ahmetd/chess2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/ahmetd/chess3.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/ahmetd/chess4.jpg
Ismenio
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Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2005, 03:19PM » |
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Chris, that's the sad thing about this auction. I believe this would probably sell for a good price and I have nothing against free market where you list something and let the buyers determine the price but when people become really greedy things get out of control 
The current price for this CC1 is the best I've seen, well, let's not count Dick's <$15 one which almost caused a fluctuation in the space-time continuum and destroyed the universe!
Now I want to see if Dick can resist this!
All things aside, if it does sell I wish it goes to someone who doesn't already have one.

Ismenio
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Chris
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2005, 11:58AM » |
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Quote from: Dick Schneiders on July 25, 2005, 10:29AM
Chris,
I don't think that is heresy at all. I am *probably* not going to be bidding on it, either, because of all the shenanigans. While $299 would be a very nice price that would be difficult to resist, I think the seller deserves to learn a lesson about ethics, and hopefully won't be able to sell it for what it is really worth.
What bothers me more than the seller's ethics, is how the bidder who I think tried to buy it outside of eBay, acted. He has a web site, or on his eBay "About Me" page, where he blasts anybody and everybody that he thinks ever cheated him in an eBay deal. He says that that sort of deceit and deception should not go unpunished and that he will do everything he can to expose them. Then he goes and tries this cheap trick.
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Hi Dick,
Well said! - I've seen too many auctions which have not gone the duration >:(
Quote:
Hopefully, I can take the higher ground here, and refrain from bidding, but I sometimes do things that I know I shouldn't. 
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I thought you already had a gaggle (or whatever the collective term is!) of CC1s! 
Best wishes
Chris
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Dick Schneiders
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My favorite move is a Queen sacrifice???
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2005, 10:29AM » |
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Quote from: Chris on July 25, 2005, 10:07AM
Hi Dick, 
Thanks for this
I too was 'watching' the initial listing and preparing for a serious bid, only to find the auction closed - hmm, 'disappointing' to say the least...
It may be heresy to say it here, but irrespective of the price I won't be bidding on the re-list 
Best wishes
Chris
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Chris,
I don't think that is heresy at all. I am *probably* not going to be bidding on it, either, because of all the shenanigans. While $299 would be a very nice price that would be difficult to resist, I think the seller deserves to learn a lesson about ethics, and hopefully won't be able to sell it for what it is really worth.
He probably will still get about what the CC1 is worth, because there will be bidders that are not aware of all the background, or who simply don't care. I might actually end up falling into the latter category, if I have a weak moment. 
What bothers me more than the seller's ethics, is how the bidder who I think tried to buy it outside of eBay, acted. He has a web site, or on his eBay "About Me" page, where he blasts anybody and everybody that he thinks ever cheated him in an eBay deal. He says that that sort of deceit and deception should not go unpunished and that he will do everything he can to expose them. Then he goes and tries this cheap trick.
Hopefully, I can take the higher ground here, and refrain from bidding, but I sometimes do things that I know I shouldn't. 
Dick Schneiders
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Chris
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2005, 10:07AM » |
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Hi Dick, 
Thanks for this
I too was 'watching' the initial listing and preparing for a serious bid, only to find the auction closed - hmm, 'disappointing' to say the least...
It may be heresy to say it here, but irrespective of the price I won't be bidding on the re-list 
Best wishes
Chris
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Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2005, 07:39PM » |
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Thanks for the great info Dick! Now it's starting to make sense to me! 
Wow, all this action took place within a few days!:
Original auction:
Start time: Jul-21-05 19:55:10 PDT
Ended: Jul-22-05 12:07:31 PDT
All questions were answered on Jul 22!
Only 2 bids and it was closed.
2nd auction:
Start time: Jul-22-05 21:14:09 PDT
Time left: 5 days 1 hour (as of now)
7-day listing, Ends Jul-29-05 21:14:09 PDT
I know the "winning" bidder on the first auction and I have bought computers from him before.
This is an example of why I believe we should always play by the rules.
As for having another computer, I was more curious about determinig if this one was really a CC1. You know I don't have much room here anymore and I usually don't have 2 of the same computer. That's why I didn't go for that 2nd Eyeball a couple of months back. Even when the price was a lot lower than what I paid for mine.
Thanks again for the details Dick. I'll sure be watching this one.
Ismenio
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Dick Schneiders
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Re:Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2005, 07:14PM » |
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Quote from: Ismenio on July 24, 2005, 06:50PM
I'm sure most of you have seen this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5222557306
That is sure not a CC7 but that's what the description says. I asked the seller some questions, which he answered partially. He's listing what appears to be questions from another auction! (They're clearly aimed at trying to find out it it's a CC1)
I don't quite understand what's going on here but the starting price is certainly too high for a CC3 let alone a CC7! It almost seems like he pieced together parts from 3 or 4 different auctions to create this one!
He did confirm that the pieces are plastic with magnetics so we know they are not original. I asked him to email me a picture of the computer so that I can take a closer look at it.
eBay certainly is a strange place!

Here's the complete description of the auction. Note how those questions are IN the text of the auction and not at the bottom of the page in the area designated for Q&A!:
Description
You are bidding on a
Vintage Electronic game CHESS CHALLENGER
Used; in good condition.
7 levels of play--Chess Challenger "7" invites chess players to learn, improve and match their skills against a computer's mind. It has 7 levels of playing difficulty from beginner to expert.
Simulated wood-grained housing/playing board-12-1/8" X 8" X 1", large 1/2 inch LED display & Staunton design Chess Pieces.
Magnetic pieces
NOTHING IS MISSING
Comes with Owner's Manual & Rules for playing.
By Fidelity Electronics...Made in the USA
High bidder accepts to pay $12.50 for S&H and agrees to pay within 7 days
Q: hi can you tell me if the keyboard has keyes labeled "A1..B2.." or is it.."IA..2B"? THANKS
A: Hi It is labeled 1A..2B
Q: Is the picture in your Chess Challenger auction the actual picture of what you have for sale, or is it a picture that you borrowed from some other source?...more
A: Hi This is the original pic.I didn't borrow the pic from someone else.What you see is what you get.I have the 1977 invoice for the item as well.
Q: the picture is not a CC7 but probably an older CC3. Is the item you are selling a CC7 or a CC3 ? Thanks
A: Hi This is CC1-1171 best regards
Starting bid: US $299.99
Ismenio
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Ismenio,
Let me fill you in on this, as I have been closely involved with the entire sordid process.
This is a CC1. The seller didn't have a clue about it and said it has 7 levels only because there have been a lot of the CC7's on eBay and they do look the same to the eye. The picture shows the back of the manual, and it is the back of the CC1 manual, and not the CC3 manual. I compared the paragraph sizes and locations to my CC1 and CC3 manuals.
I asked a question, as did others, but my question had to do with if the picture was the actual item he was selling. I didn't want to bid on it being a CC1, based on the picture, and then have it turn out to be a CC7 after all. Those are the questions that are summarized in the auction body.
This is the link to the seller's original auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5222233489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
I am positive that Ameswibos (I know that isn't spelled quite right) offered the seller a price way less than a CC1 is worth, but a lot more than what the CC7's the seller had been seeing on eBay normally sell for. He did this outside of eBay, and since he did have the current high bid, of around $6, the seller closed the auction to sell it to him directly. The seller no doubt thought that he was getting a great deal, and the Spanish bidder certainly was getting a great deal.
Well, this didn't sit well with me at all, and even though this was only a speculation on my part, I emailed the seller. I told him that that it was a CC1 and that it was rare and worth around $400 or more. I told him that if he didn't get anywhere near that from whoever talked him out of closing the auction, he was getting screwed. I didn't hear back from the seller, but the next day the CC1 was back on eBay again, with a starting price of $299!
So the seller must have told the "buyer" to take a flying leap into a lake, and he relisted the CC1.
Yes, the pieces are not CC1 pieces and I am not able to determine what they are. However, the rest of the package is certainly all CC1 and they look to be in great condition. Also, the serial number of 1171 is very low.
I have been asking myself if I need a third CC1.
Dick Schneiders
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Ismenio Horsie to pointy guy 6
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Strange eBay auction !? CC1/CC3/CC7?
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2005, 06:50PM » |
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I'm sure most of you have seen this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5222557306
That is sure not a CC7 but that's what the description says. I asked the seller some questions, which he answered partially. He's listing what appears to be questions from another auction! (They're clearly aimed at trying to find out it it's a CC1)
I don't quite understand what's going on here but the starting price is certainly too high for a CC3 let alone a CC7! It almost seems like he pieced together parts from 3 or 4 different auctions to create this one!
He did confirm that the pieces are plastic with magnetics so we know they are not original. I asked him to email me a picture of the computer so that I can take a closer look at it.
eBay certainly is a strange place!

Here's the complete description of the auction. Note how those questions are IN the text of the auction and not at the bottom of the page in the area designated for Q&A!:
Description
You are bidding on a
Vintage Electronic game CHESS CHALLENGER
Used; in good condition.
7 levels of play--Chess Challenger "7" invites chess players to learn, improve and match their skills against a computer's mind. It has 7 levels of playing difficulty from beginner to expert.
Simulated wood-grained housing/playing board-12-1/8" X 8" X 1", large 1/2 inch LED display & Staunton design Chess Pieces.
Magnetic pieces
NOTHING IS MISSING
Comes with Owner's Manual & Rules for playing.
By Fidelity Electronics...Made in the USA
High bidder accepts to pay $12.50 for S&H and agrees to pay within 7 days
Q: hi can you tell me if the keyboard has keyes labeled "A1..B2.." or is it.."IA..2B"? THANKS
A: Hi It is labeled 1A..2B
Q: Is the picture in your Chess Challenger auction the actual picture of what you have for sale, or is it a picture that you borrowed from some other source?...more
A: Hi This is the original pic.I didn't borrow the pic from someone else.What you see is what you get.I have the 1977 invoice for the item as well.
Q: the picture is not a CC7 but probably an older CC3. Is the item you are selling a CC7 or a CC3 ? Thanks
A: Hi This is CC1-1171 best regards
Starting bid: US $299.99
Ismenio
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