all those new/mint proline joysticks on ebay...

a warning in case you don't already know (I learned the hard way). those joysticks are NOT new, they're refurbished. I got mine and the first thing I noticed was the joysticks handle, the textured finish was all worn off... and the metal shaft was bent... further inspection showed that the metal shaft was scored in several places with a hvy duty cutter of some kind (the purpose to keep the knob from coming off).

I sent the guy two mails now (very polite mind you) asking him about it... I got one automated mail that said he was away and could not return mail

a while after that I sent another, and still no word... it's been weeks.

Still the joysticks sell...

Also I just had to take it apart for maintenance, the diagonal directions are messed up and the left fire button only works half the time... looking at the control board I can see part of the problem, the tape they used to hold down the metal tabs is not what Atari originally used, it's extremely thin, the fire buttons both have worn clear thru the tape and now the tabs 'float' around underneath

I figure this is why the 'click' sound of making contact is so much louder than my other two prolines.

well I 'could' give the guy neutral or negative feedback, but I see he has still withheld MY feedback in case he feels like retaliating :roll:

this has already happened once to me on ebay...

I can see why so many people get fed up with things there... the feedback system seems flawed by design.

well in any case I would highly reccomend Best Elecetronics. They have tons of good stuff including new prolines and joypads which ARE new.

ack! sorry for the long post... but I wanted to go over everything.