Looking For Advice For Buying A Retro DS Console

[2001-Hol]

Hi, is it OK to ask here for some advice about buying a retro DS console?

What I'm wanting to do... I had my first DS when I was 7, which was the DS Lite, since then I've had the DSi, DSi XL, 3DS, 3DS XL - I still have all them and would like to get the complete collection so I can pass them down to my son when he's older. so I've been looking for 3 consoles, a 2DS and a 2DS XL which seem pretty common and easy to source but my priority is to get one of the first chunky DS consoles as working ones seem to be fading away.

I have found 2 sellers on eBay, one of them I found through their YouTube videos, who sell refurbished chunky DS consoles, I have messaged both sellers to find out more info about the consoles and below are the 2 options I have.

Seller A: (business seller)
Feedback = 1000+ (92% score)
Condition = New shell, new buttons, new d-pads, new screws, new touch screen, original lcd's but may have 1 or 2 dead pixels.
Colours = Silver, Green, Dark red, Dark grey, Dark blue, Pearl, Light purple, Pink.
Battery = No guarantees but at least an hour, recommends buying a new battery elsewhere.
Photos = Outside top, outside bottom, inner,
Price = £55 inc del.
Guarantee = 6 months no questions asked.


Seller B: (found through YouTube and does it for a hobby)
Feedback = 25 (100% score)
Condition = New shell, original buttons, original d-pads, original screws, new touch screen, original lcd's and no dead pixels.
Colours = Silver, Green, Dark red, Dark grey, Dark blue, Pearl, Light purple, Pink.
Battery = Original and lasts 5 hours from fully charged.
Photos = Outside top, outside bottom, inner, charging, switched on with Game Boy game, switched on with DS game.
Price = £25 inc del.
Guarantee - 14 days from delivery as expects buyer to have tested it within that time but if the console gets broken anytime in the future he will repair it for free if the buyer pays for the parts.


Seller A has a lot more feedback but I did notice 2 for DS consoles that said the DS would not read games when it arrived but also said the seller sorted it for them.

Seller B is a lot cheaper, I assume partly because the buttons and screws are original?


I did buy a used one from eBay which in the photos was in great condition but when it arrived the silver plastic had crumbled! so I returned it, which is why I'm looking for a one with a new shell.


Is there anything other than what is mentioned above that I should ask the sellers? and anything I should look out for?

If seller B is offering free repairs anyime in the future, is that a sign that it won't last long?

 

[Spraco]

Hi, since your post is two weeks old i suppose you already made a choice, but i still have some advice to share (my choice would have been seller B).

When buying on ebay, don't spend too much time looking for guarantees. The older the item is, the less it makes sense for the seller to offer one.
I suggest you to watch out specifically for mechanical failures, or parts that are difficult to replace/repair. That includes, in the case of the DS, hinges and screens; i personally do not even consider buying units with dead pixels, or even worse, with entire lines of pixel that are busted. Other parts may be easier to replace.

Regarding electronic failures, the first thing to fail will likely be capacitors. Despite one dead capacitor may not be the end of the world, some parts may not function as intended (speakers in particular) and leaking electrolyte may cause damage to the main board. Replacing caps requires soldering, and if it's not your cup of tea, you can always ask somebody else to do it for you.

If you have any more questions, ask away!