I want to buy a PS3 and I am unsure whether buying a used one off ebay or craigslist is a good idea. Craigslist you can at least have them hook it up but who knows what you can have later. Is it somewhat safe to buy one? What happens if I buy a dud, would Sony let me do a warranty on an ebay purchase? Is a warranty going to cost enough that I should have bought one brand new? I wanted the 60gb for the hardware ps2 backwards compatability but the 80gb seems like it is decent enough. I sometimes see 60gb for ~$300 on Craigslist, not sure if it is a good idea though. Input please?

I bought a refurb 60GB fully-BC PS3 off of eBay a while back, from the "Best Buy Outlet," which is really a reseller licensed by Best Buy. The case was a little scuffed up and it had a few minor dings, but it works perfectly. I put a 160GB hard drive in it. I'm really happy that I have the fully backwards-compatible version of the PS3, especially since it looks like they are gone for good. I have had zero problems with it so far.

The downside of buying a refurb is that they are out of warrantee, and often are missing cables and controllers (all I got was the console). It depends on whether you're willing to take the risk. From what I have seen, the PS3 is pretty reliable, and I previously had a PS2 that ran without problems for four years, so I was comfortable buying a used PS3.

Only buy a used PS3 if you want backwards compatibility. Otherwise, shop around and buy a new one. With various deals and incentives, you can get a new one for less than a used one.

If you don't mind opening up a new credit card, you can open a sonycard and get $150 credit back and free shipping on a new PS3. Which effectively makes the PS3 about $278 (depending on sales tax in your state). Also, with the sonyrewards points for that purchase, you have enough points to buy either a blu-ray remote or half the money for a second controller or game.

I'd buy from ebay, but do some research into a reputable reseller and go with them, even if you sell out an extra $50.

And remember, "if it's too good to be true, it is."

Stay away from auctions, go with buy it nows.

Also try craigslist.

Just pulled the plug on my second PS3, this one for my 13 year old son. Took advantage of the Sony Card deal, will utimately cost only 277. That is much better than any refurbed or used PS3 I've seen listed anywhere on the web. To think just two years ago what I paid for my 60GB, now it's less than half.

Also, if you find a reputable ebay seller, and he offers “Buy it now” listings, check out MS’s Live.com cash back incentives. You could get up to 35% cash back from Microsoft for going to ebay through live! Makes for a cheaper PS3.

Do a quick google for "Live.com Cash Back" for some info. It works pretty well from what I’ve heard and you can get up to $200 off on an item.

bought mine from a pawn shop, owner is a friend of mine. Its a 60g and I couldnt be happier

I have no qualms about buying from ebay if it's a reputable seller, regardless of if it's a little knick-knack or a $2000 piece of electronics.

While stories about being screwed on ebay/craigslist are many, they are very few in the grand scheme of things, and reputable sellers are reputable for a reason, and you are minimizing risk by at buying from them.

Just pulled the plug on my second PS3, this one for my 13 year old son. Took advantage of the Sony Card deal, will utimately cost only 277. That is much better than any refurbed or used PS3 I've seen listed anywhere on the web. To think just two years ago what I paid for my 60GB, now it's less than half.

Make sure you register your new sonycard on sonyrewards.com, your points will roll over from the PS3 purchase. Then fill out your profile, set up a wish list, complete the survey, etc. for the extra points for all of those things.

I did that (took about 10 minutes) and I had enough points to get a totally free blu-ray remote for the PS3. Even free shipping and no tax. Or you would have enough points to get an extra controller or game at half price.

So, I basically paid $278 for a new 80GB PS3 with blu-ray remote. Can't beat that anywhere in town.

If you buy one from E-Bay and use Pay Pal and it is not as described Pay Pal will cover you. This happened to me. Pay Pal will freeze the sellers account until your money is returned. I then shopped on Craig's list and went to the sellers house and was able to check out the MGS4 PS3 in person. Hope this helps.

Yes, but only because backwards compatibility is a very important feature to me.

I have no qualms about buying from ebay if it's a reputable seller, regardless of if it's a little knick-knack or a $2000 piece of electronics.

While stories about being screwed on ebay/craigslist are many, they are very few in the grand scheme of things, and reputable sellers are reputable for a reason, and you are minimizing risk by at buying from them.

Oh I agree. I just bought $1000 Canon Sxi DSLR package off of ebay. But, like I said, too good to be true and it usually is. (W/ $200 MSLive Cash back and a 10% ebay coupon!)

The place I bought it from on ebay is also a mom and pop store with a retail location in NY and a great reputation on ebay and other places on the tubes.

Too many times some idiot see's a PS3 for $100 and gets scammed then calls the whole system a sham. Buy from an unknown source, and expect the worst, not the best!

I bought a used 20gb PS3.

I wouldn't however buy a used 40gb model. Far to many optical drive failurers for it to be worth the risk.

I wouldn't buy a used 20/60GB just because of BC. The optic failures have something to do with reading too much different discs over time. CD/DVD/PS1/2/3 games/bluray too much.

You want BC just buy a PS2 and get a new 80/160GB PS3.

I wouldn't buy a used 20/60GB just because of BC. The optic failures have something to do with reading too much different discs over time. CD/DVD/PS1/2/3 games/bluray too much.

You want BC just buy a PS2 and get a new 80/160GB PS3.

I disagree. Playing PS2 games on a PS3 is more enjoyable then on a PS2. You get wireless controllers, unlimited memory cards, the ability to turn the system off and on via the controller, upscaling and progressive scan (if you want it), ect....

I wouldn't buy a used 20/60GB just because of BC. The optic failures have something to do with reading too much different discs over time. CD/DVD/PS1/2/3 games/bluray too much.



Citation Needed!


No problems with my launch day 60! the simplest answer is usually the correct one; prob just a problem with a bad batch of drives from a suppler.

It happens. It happened in the PS2 to some degree (when people were saying the same thing you are now, only about it being PS1 games causing it)