Buying an exceptionally well-preserved ATARI 800XE

A collector’s dream. Two days before buying it, I happened to check the adverts on Bazoš. I quickly skipped past the listings from a collector in Karviná and almost missed another advert that, by coincidence, was also from Karviná. A beautiful complete ATARI in its original packaging with accessories — for CZK 1,300?!?!

I immediately called the phone number. The message said the number did not exist. Hmm, perhaps some fake seller from Karviná. I could not let it go, so I tried googling various rearrangements of the phone number… nothing. I therefore wrote to the advertiser through Bazoš and offered CZK 2,000 to make absolutely sure. Half a day passed with no reply, so I sent another email and offered even more. This is how you bid :-))) … raising your own offer.

Shortly afterwards the seller called me and we discovered that the advert simply contained the wrong phone number. I told him I was extremely interested while fearing he might accept only my highest bid :-D. Fortunately, he was reasonable and we agreed on CZK 2,000. I asked him to take down the advert and offered to collect the ATARI personally in Karviná, which he was happy about.

I then happily informed my wife that we would once again be making a trip to her parents in the Beskids. She was pleased and shared my enthusiasm. How I love her :-))) On Friday evening after work we were already heading towards the Beskids. On Saturday morning, 18 August, the whole family set off for Karviná as usual to have a look at this treasure.

We stopped at the correct address in a small neighbourhood of workers’ houses. The gentleman welcomed us from his garden and brought the ATARI 800XE to the garden table. It was unbelievably well preserved. The XC12 cassette recorder had a TURBO modification, even retaining the original JRC sticker and a JRC warranty sticker on the other side. There were also two completely unused JRC cassettes containing selections of games.

Apparently the ATARI had been found while clearing an attic together with other old electronics that were being thrown away. Despite having no experience with it, the gentleman had kept the ATARI for roughly another two years. During another clear-out he was considering throwing it away, but on someone’s recommendation he tried listing it on Bazoš instead.

I was absolutely delighted and gave him some extra money for his willingness to help.