I mean, I get it - everyone's in it to make a buck, but I'm just curious what the end result is here?  Is there an interior component worth some cash?  Something used to fix/mod PS3's?  A part used for some other electronic device?

I've been meaning to post this for some days, is it that people see this as a future collection boom? Prices have risen to outrageous levels the past few months.

I'm pretty interested in wondering why as well...?

Well X3 for me! The Christmas rush doesnt explain it since it is nearly over. What gives?

I'm gettin' while the gettins good.

Sell, Sell, SELL!

a soft-mod on the card, add a IDE HDD from an old PC buyout...boom! An instant Nintendo with all the games on it. I won't explain the whole process, or where they are sold, but if your gonna do it, you need bunches or it doesn't work on the $$ end. I just sold 2 to milligangames...really cool dude, and he hooked me up with Gamecube games (at my request/preference) instead of cash. Sweet deal if ya got busted ones. If your looking to make money off this and ya haven't started yet... you prob don't know the right people, so don't lose any sleep.

Yeah, Scotty hit it on the head:

1. Buy PS2 with broken optical drive
2. Mod it to play games off a hard drive
3. Sell them south of the boarder
4. Profit!

The reason they buy the broken ones is to double dip. If they sell it to someone and the hard drive fails, but the disc drive still works, the owner can simply buy back ups. If the disc drive doesn't work, they HAVE to go back to the seller and get it repaired, effectively paying them twice for the same product.

Apparently this is super common and pretty profitable.

As much as everything posted here is correct.. I believe its SOLELY because someone gave me a ps2 slim w a disc read error yesterday...

There are two or three people who buy almost all of the broken PS2s on eBay. They sell them in MASSIVE quantities (5,000+ units) to overseas resellers who mod & sell them, as far as I can tell. Most people buying them here are likely selling them as is on eBay since the price for broken ones is around $40-$45 each right now.

I had a PS2 with a disc read error last week, I opened it up and cleaned the lens off. Works like a charm now. I always wondered about buying broken PS2's as well, figured it had something to do with putting a HDD with roms in the system.

So the mods are happening overseas and then the modded units are also sold overseas?  Or are the mods happening in the USA and then being shipped overseas?

The latter sounds like it's eventually going to garner a visit from customs enforcement or the FBI, depending on the scale of the operation.

Ya i've been buying ps2's like crazy and selling hehe

seriously like mentioned in the OP a dead ps2 is worth more than a working one lol

I sold a set the other day 4 ps2's for 140 +20buck shipping (parcel post) was a bin too and gone hehe.

I'll have another lot set to sell early next year

They are being sold broken, as is, and shipped that way.

Better to sell them sooner rather than later, the price is definitely expected to drop soon from what I have heard.

ya but, I'm just taking a break from my online work right now

I have so much other stuff to do, including last min xmas shopping for ppl >.<

Yea, it seems smarter to just sell the working ones I have as "broken."
It's not worth the few extra bucks to test them and bundle them with hookups, controllers, games, etc.

Shit, I'm sitting on 20 or so a shop owner friend gave me. What do they need, bare unit? is it okay if the HDD door or disc tray trim is missing?

I have one I fucked up, it the Fat PS2, I forgot why I did it..The Tray is Broken

I think it's the DRE PS2

Kthrower you got an ez 500 if you sell them right. Just look at the other auctions going on to give u an idea on how to list them. Def put as-is and for parts repair in the title of your auction and BIN try 130-140 + the shipping you calculate. Also try them out do see if all of them have the DRE because If some work they buy quicker. 

Just saw a completed listing for 20 systems go for 699. Free shipping.
So that's like 550 in your pocket ( fees are like 70-90, shipping 60?)

I can come pretty close to matching how much anyone would make on eBay after fees on a bulk amount like this, just FYI.

So what's the deal? Are these the "new regular xbox" as far as hacking goes? Slap a HDD in the bay and load it up with games, emulators, etc?

More like the "new regular xbox light" ...Try lifting six of dem beyatches (regular xboxes)without a handy dandy cart or big ass tote bag around the flea market....ouchers!!!!!!!

It's insane! I have been loading up on them .. time to purge ... then splurge!

any idea who pays the most for them?

thanks

Rise from ur grave!!!!!!