After much deliberation I have created Retro Rule No. 1.
Retro Rule No. 1: The easiest part of retro hobby is the purchase of the machine/console/expansion/cart/game/software.
Retro Rule No. 2: The hardest part of retro hobby is to find the TIME to actually use said machine/console/expansion/cart/game/software purchased under No. 1.
Retro Rule No. 3: - Cleaning 30+ years of gunk, dirt, and I-really-don't-want-to-know marks that refuse to budge and look disgusting. Stripping down machines with a billion tiny little screws that, even with all the screws taken out, still refuse to come apart - I'm looking at you, ZX Spectrum +3 and Amstrad CPC6128.
Retro Rule No. 4: - Never buy a Vectrex. When they go, they go. And there are a million different reasons online including near-death ones - which include, do not touch that, or that, or that big silver thing. BTW, anybody know how to fix a Vectrex ?
Retro Rule No. 5: Never buy and refurbish sad junk for sale. In the end it will look so nice, and you've spent so much time with it that you will not be able to find a price that you think covers your efforts and what people would be willing to pay.. Maybe you won't even want to sell it anymore at all, so now you are down by: a.) the original item price b.) extra costs (parts etc) for refurbishing c.) a bunch of your free time d.) storage space (as you have 5 of the said item already in your stash..)
Retro Rule No. 6: The challenge of finding space in your living quarters to actually set up several of the machines and displays.
Retro Rule No. 7: Never tell the wife/partner actual cost of retro part or collection. However ensure real costs are recorded in Will, just in case she sells the collection for what you've told her it cost.
Retro Rule No. 8: Never let yourself get so desperate for that item you've wanted for years that you are prepared to buy anything including, those adverts that read "Can't find the PSU so selling untested". If you do buy it you can be guaranteed a fully working one will suddenly go up for sale just after you've won that untested one, and cheaper.
Retro Rule No. 1: The easiest part of retro hobby is the purchase of the machine/console/expansion/cart/game/software.
Retro Rule No. 2: The hardest part of retro hobby is to find the TIME to actually use said machine/console/expansion/cart/game/software purchased under No. 1.
Retro Rule No. 3: - Cleaning 30+ years of gunk, dirt, and I-really-don't-want-to-know marks that refuse to budge and look disgusting. Stripping down machines with a billion tiny little screws that, even with all the screws taken out, still refuse to come apart - I'm looking at you, ZX Spectrum +3 and Amstrad CPC6128.
Retro Rule No. 4: - Never buy a Vectrex. When they go, they go. And there are a million different reasons online including near-death ones - which include, do not touch that, or that, or that big silver thing. BTW, anybody know how to fix a Vectrex ?
Retro Rule No. 5: Never buy and refurbish sad junk for sale. In the end it will look so nice, and you've spent so much time with it that you will not be able to find a price that you think covers your efforts and what people would be willing to pay.. Maybe you won't even want to sell it anymore at all, so now you are down by: a.) the original item price b.) extra costs (parts etc) for refurbishing c.) a bunch of your free time d.) storage space (as you have 5 of the said item already in your stash..)
Retro Rule No. 6: The challenge of finding space in your living quarters to actually set up several of the machines and displays.
Retro Rule No. 7: Never tell the wife/partner actual cost of retro part or collection. However ensure real costs are recorded in Will, just in case she sells the collection for what you've told her it cost.
Retro Rule No. 8: Never let yourself get so desperate for that item you've wanted for years that you are prepared to buy anything including, those adverts that read "Can't find the PSU so selling untested". If you do buy it you can be guaranteed a fully working one will suddenly go up for sale just after you've won that untested one, and cheaper.
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