NGD is right in his caution in sharing that information. I have bought a couple of Service Centers....and they don't just fall into your hands. I live only a few hours from NGD....we have almost bumped on other buys. Any info he might devulge would put his next discovery at great risk....from me .  On rare and unusual stuff, you need to be there first, biggest, and with cash. There are many of us who would take advantage of that extra knowledge....and it would not be the wrong or dishonest thing to do. Hence, sharing that info would be foolish.

I don't know about an "in crowd"  but the more contacts and friends you can establish definately helps when it comes to collecting.  I've been collecting for just about two years now and I wouldn't have half  the stuff I have if it wasn't for finding good honest collectors to trade with and making some good friends along the way.

Bryan

I still don't understand your point petrosky.  I happened to find this one in my home town but if I knew of one in say North Dakota and knew I could buy $2000 worth of stuff for $200 I would probably drive to North Dakota.  Why would I give that info out for any random person to cash in on.  From what I can tell, info on where old service centers are is very very hard to come by.  I don't expect anyone who has gone through all the research and work to find out where one is to disclose that information to me.....even if they were a good friend of mine.

Bryan

oooooo look what I started, 'm rollling 

Petrosky, do you collect anything else, or have you experienced the culture of any other collection hobby? Coins, stamps, baseball carts...after having been in all of those circles I can safely say that VG and in particular, NES collecting is the most civilized of any of them, hands down. From my experinece in cards/coins/stamps, the nice honest people are few and far between, are generally very new to their respective hobbies, and don't last long as the sharks will pick them right out of the water. Nasty things like unloading useless merch on them, promising it's a great deal, providing false info to profit monetarily, or just outright stealing from one another. I travelled on a sports card circuit for a time and experienced some horrid people. When I was younger I attended coin/stamp cons with my mom. There are some collectors at the top of each hobby who rise above the rest and provide a good example. But the middle of the pack is very vast, very competitive, and can be very dishonest.

While NES is not exempt from the foul few, they indeed are just that, the minority. The middle-of-the-pack syndrome just doesn't seem present...online, at cons, anywhere. Among the established collectors who have been communicating with each other and bidding against each other, there is a healthy rivalry, and a lot of competition for the best of the rarest...but rarely does it become bitter. What's fair and equitable is entirely subjective, of course...but when an entire community is watching the deeds of its constituents carefully and communication happens at the speed of light, situations are discussed and resolved quickly. Perhaps not to the satisfaction of everyone, but at least those involved. I'm speaking vaguely about a situation that happened 4 or 5 weeks ago on another message board; no need to detail, but the people involved were established collectors, and after a flurry of discussion that couldn't have lasted more than 48 hours things settled down.

As far as an in-crowd, I don't see that. There are, as I said before, established collectors who have a mutual respect for one another...and even a fortunate few who can really call each other friends after having communicated so long. But I think to intimate that there's a constant stream of privileged communication flying just above our heads, out of reach to the huddled masses...is paranoia. Yes, hookups do happen...but a lot of times they're for two reasons - to repay favors, and to deal safely. eBay/Paypal is simply not safe (and very expensive) for top-dollar transactions...but when you have known someone for years and respect them as a rival collector...there's no better person to sell your high-ticket rarity to.

As far as living on the west coast and finding a Service Center in PA...I really don't think that would just happen accidentally. The info doesn't exist on the net, therefore you'd be looking through local business records, placing phone calls, closeby your own state. I think your statement implies that one might uncover a "master list" of addresses for service center locations; while it may, I don't believe that information is in the hands of a collector right now...and if it is, it's either out-of-date (and thus inaccurate) or has already been fully exploited.

I feel alot of this is directed towards me, which is fine cause I have prob. had the best luck buying out repair centers.  It has nothing to do with being in the "in crowd" as you said.  I have stayed up for hours on end doing searches, making calls, digging through whatever I can find.   Anyone could do exactly what I have done, but most people are to lazy.  Why should I reward someone elses lazyiness for my hardwork.  That is like going to work everyday only to give your paycheck back to your boss, which no one would do.  This is no different than "real life" those who work the hardest and put in the wrench time will reap the benefits.  Those who want stuff and won't do any work to get is will complain about it.  Is that harsh, maybe, but so is life in general. 

As for an in crowd, I think that is BS in general.  Some people may have an elitest attitude, but most do not.  Collecting is all about making friends and new contacts to do business with.  If you don't do that then you are really missing out on collecting.  I have made numerous life long friends from collecting, Dain, Wizard, Dangevin, Necrosaro420, Hounder and several other guys I talk to alot.  As Dangevin said, those who help me I will repay in the future when I can.  I have tried my best since I have been around to draw the community closer together.  Making the game list for all to use and enjoy.  Running the contest of this site.  Keeping the WarpZone alive.  Helping with NintendoAGE and so many other little things.  Getting all things NES on your own is impossible, I don't think anyone could actually do it on there own in a lifetime without help.  You said no one ever took you under there wing to help you, have you ever asked anyone too help? 

I feel like I have been called out for doing the hardwork and being an elitest which I don't think I am.  Just my .02. 

Considering there has only been like 4-5 people I know who bought out repair centers it can't be directed at many people.  Me, Gundam, Limbofunk, Earlyworm, justabum, and maybe dreamtr.

I never called you or anyone a bad guy, I was just trying to justify my logic behind why I didn't share my info, I can't speak for the other guys.  You spoke your opinion so why can't I speak mine Discussions is what make forums interesting so people can share different ideas. 

I have never had a problem with you man, in fact I sent you a Carmen Sandiego manual for free to help you out a long time ago.  No ones dislikes you or anyone else.  I don't have beef with anyone who collects unless they screw me or fellow board member over.  Didn't you read all those posts over at Nintendoage when you said you were quitting collecting?  I never called you lazy either, I implied people in general are lazy and want something for nothing, that is a fact.  Hell I would love to take some new leads on stuff for free, who wouldn't, but that isn't a realistically going to happen.

I don't want anyone to give up collecting, ever.  It is a hobby and nothing to get pissed about.  If people get pissed that takes the fun out of the hobby and what is the point then?

You shouldn't feel out of the loop, just collect what YOU want to collect.  It isn't about who has the biggest dick (biggest collection) it is what you do with it.  I have only been collecting for a few years myself and I had to learn all the stuff I know myself.  I just spend more time than most on NES cause I love it so much.  I still learn new NES stuff on a daily basis.  Anyone who claims they know everything about NES is full of crap, some know more than others but it doesn't matter.  Were all in it for the same end goal to have fun. 

I do spend a lot of money, but others spend more than me.  It does boil down to who has the most money most of the time, but you can find great scores for cheap if you watch ebay a lot and work at it.  The best way to find good stuff is to socialize and make new friends.  I have had people send me stuff for free cause I let them pick at my brain for a while.  Is that expected at all, of course not, but it was a nice gesture saying they appreciate the effort.  One instance that I recall was when michael242 sent me a cheetahmen II comic book for Action 52 to me for a lot of advice I gave him.  It was worth about 10-15 bucks, but the repespect factor I had for him went up 10 fold.  I should be all about helping each other out and respecting people who have helped you out.  I have spent over 120 bucks with michael in the last few days on ebay for games I didn't necessarily need, but it helps him out in the process. 

My suggestion is to find a fellow member who close to your same collecting goals in mind and become friend with them.  Share finds you both get, send emails, even talk on the phone.  That is what me and Dain have done and he is one of my best friends now and we talk often on the phone.  Our NES goals are the same and we get along great because of that.

We all have our bad days, just part of life.  Just by your posts over at NA, you kinda sound like you are having a rough time a little so it is understandable.  As you say no harm no foul