Small run of new Atari 720 joysticks

So interesting...

It walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, so I know what I think... all of it seems too good to be true. The most likely scenario is that it IS the RAM controls guy and he's looking for a way to make money (probably legitimately) from the leftover parts from the shambles of his old business. If so he'd likely make good on all his orders (limited run, remember), but you'd be buying from someone with "blood" on his hands, so to speak. An interesting moral dilemma; how bad do you want those parts? Seems awfully cheap for a limited run (unless you already had the parts lying around)....

I hope I'm wrong, though... And really, what do I know; I'm just some guy on the Internet... Do what you will!

Someone said the same thing about me right after I joined. I think its a bad idea to jump to conclusions without proof. i do agree its super suspicous, its awfully coincidental but I reserve judgment until the facts are all in.
 
AHA_Popcorn_nommer.gif
 
Someone said the same thing about me right after I joined. I think its a bad idea to jump to conclusions without proof. i do agree its super suspicous, its awfully coincidental but I reserve judgment until the facts are all in.

I have no dog in this fight, however just look at some of his postings:

"Final price is $400ea including shipping."

" I stated in an earlier thread the range would be $400-$450 when I finished them. I came in on the low end of that range. :)"

"Out of this first lot of nine joysticks, I have six which are now spoken for. I have enough complete sets of parts to build nine more joysticks. If it looks like I'm going to sell them, I will start making more of the parts as soon as possible. Send me a PM. "

" I overnighted some parts so I'd get some immediate feedback."

"Yeah, so I'm eating it on this first run of parts. I have to start somewhere. I need people to see the quality of my goods. "

"I suppose I'm no better in that I took a year+ making my scratch build 720 controller, but it was for my own use. I'm running off a small batch of them to sell now. Even with the large number of parts, all of the wonky processes, anodizing, zinc plating and what not, I can almost guarantee it won't take me more than three weeks to have them done and ready to ship. "

Guy has been here 6 days and is making all sorts of stuff, like some sort of Arcade Messiah. I would not stake my reputation on what he has posted.

Personally the only way i would even consider taking a chance is with Paypal goods and the stuff better be at my door before the cutoff for contesting purchase.
 
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I have no dog in this fight, however just look at some of his postings:

"Final price is $400ea including shipping."

" I stated in an earlier thread the range would be $400-$450 when I finished them. I came in on the low end of that range. :)"

"Out of this first lot of nine joysticks, I have six which are now spoken for. I have enough complete sets of parts to build nine more joysticks. If it looks like I'm going to sell them, I will start making more of the parts as soon as possible. Send me a PM. "

" I overnighted some parts so I'd get some immediate feedback."

"Yeah, so I'm eating it on this first run of parts. I have to start somewhere. I need people to see the quality of my goods. "

"I suppose I'm no better in that I took a year+ making my scratch build 720 controller, but it was for my own use. I'm running off a small batch of them to sell now. Even with the large number of parts, all of the wonky processes, anodizing, zinc plating and what not, I can almost guarantee it won't take me more than three weeks to have them done and ready to ship. "

Guy has been here 6 days and is making all sorts of stuff, like some sort of Arcade Messiah. I would not stake my reputation on what he has posted.

Im saying wait until the facts are in before you make an enemy of him. I agree its seems way to good to be true. Tombo's on it and we will see how it plays out. I cant hang a man without hearing the whole case.
 
I'm calling it now...

I hope I'm wrong.

Dude is either Adam Judd himself... or dude working with Adam Judd...

Like others have said... 6 days? Dropping in with parts that RAM had available at the end?

AGAIN... I do hope I am wrong... time will tell...

PS: To the OP - IF you are legit... you GOTTA understand where folks are coming from here... Adam/David took people here for thousands of dollars... TENS of thousands of dollars. He's the singly biggest scammer this site has ever seen... so people are treading lightly as I am sure YOU WOULD if the situation was reversed.
 
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Im saying wait until the facts are in before you make an enemy of him. I agree its seems way to good to be true. Tombo's on it and we will see how it plays out. I cant hang a man without hearing the whole case.

Not trying to hang the guy, just be super cautious. Look at the timing on these posts:

2-22-2016

"I like a solid challenge. The 720 stick took me awhile but I managed to do it. Ok, it was only a single controller, but I could pump out a few more if people wanted them."

2-23-2016

"Alright, here's what's going on as far as parts go:

Logo stick plunger: Just ran off a batch of them TODAY.
Logo stick pivot ball: Just ran off a batch of them TODAY.
Other random 720 parts (metal parts too): Running them right now.
Logo stick upper housing: Cutting mold, going to run them this week.
720/Hall-Effect stick lower housing: Cutting mold, going to run them this week.
Logo stick lower housing: Interest is somewhat low. Machining a few of them.
720 full controller build: Waiting on above parts. Give me a week to see where I'm at on it.
Food Fight/Red Baron/Tunnel Hunt Gimbals: Interest list, looks like I'm going to run them.
FF/RB/TH/BZ Centering grommet/bellows: Looking at prototyping this one ASAP."

2-24-2016

"Alright, here's the latest as of 2:46PM

Logo stick plunger: Just ran off a batch of them yesterday. Ready to ship.
Logo stick pivot ball: Just ran off a batch of them yesterday. Ready to ship.
Other random 720 parts (metal parts too): Completed, just got the zinc plated parts and anodized parts about an hour ago.
Logo stick upper housing: Mold cut! Running parts now. Have samples in hand.
720/Hall-Effect stick lower housing: Mold cut! Running parts now. Have samples in hand.
Logo stick lower housing: Machining small qty of them. 30pcs available as of now.
720 full controller build: Parts in hand. Building short run today.
Food Fight/Red Baron/Tunnel Hunt Gimbals: Interest list, looks like I'm going to run them.
FF/RB/TH/BZ Centering grommet/bellows: Looking at prototyping this one ASAP."

02-24-2016, 07:33 PM

"The remainder of the parts I needed to start the assembly process finished up today. This was much earlier than I expected. So with parts in hand I jumped right into it. Attached you will see nine scratch built "reproduction" Atari 720 joysticks. They are 100% reproduction and not OEM. They are a drop in replacement for OEM and all parts are interchangeable. The joysticks are tested/calibrated and properly lubricated. I have enough complete sets of parts for a few more joysticks. I wanted to stop here, take a break and show pictures of my progress for those who were interested. This is a very limited run. Enjoy!"

Again just seems awfully fast.
 
I have some reservations, but I am taking a chance. Was sent an invoice through Square Marketplace (first time using them). I made payment with a credit card. I was told that my joystick assembly would be sent out today and a tracking number will be sent today as well.
 
Not that any of this is any of my business but wow! I've read another thread about Gauging interest and thought red flag.

May I ask if I ever think that, ever, is then the appropriate time to flag a thread, cause my gut said what the heck when I seen both of these..

I've never flagged a thread, and would like to know, if I have that gut feeling, is that the time to do it? At the time no money was exchanged just promises....
 
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So Greg, lets talk about the opto board. Can you tell us about it? How did you do the design and fab? Was it a PITA?

Thanks!

Tom
 
Opto wasn't hard. Design? I had one in my possession. I stripped it clean of parts. I scanned in the artwork. I sent it to fab to make identical blanks. I did have trouble sourcing the optical switches but found one supply on netcomponents. Many of the optos were DOA. That was a little troublesome. I wouldn't call it a pita, but it did take time.

So Greg, lets talk about the opto board. Can you tell us about it? How did you do the design and fab? Was it a PITA?

Thanks!

Tom
 
If you guys honestly have a problem with me, I can back off and not sell anything. I thought you all might appreciate some quality made parts. I get where you're coming from, but you're taking it to the edge and saying some unkind things about me. Have I wronged anyone at all? No, I have not. I can see being cautious, but some of you are pointing the finger at me like I did something wrong. I think it's unfair.
 
I could, but then someone would claim that "only ram controls would do that"

LOL

I've shipped out a bunch of these 720 sticks. I think they're steering clear of this dramatic thread and I don't blame them. Let those who've actually had a transaction with me speak up if they so choose. Can anyone claim that I have not followed through with a transaction? I'm friendly. I'm quick. I'm fairly precise with my work. And my prices rock!

Greg send me a free 720 stick to show these guys your cool. ;)
 
Opto wasn't hard. Design? I had one in my possession. I stripped it clean of parts. I scanned in the artwork. I sent it to fab to make identical blanks. I did have trouble sourcing the optical switches but found one supply on netcomponents. Many of the optos were DOA. That was a little troublesome. I wouldn't call it a pita, but it did take time.

Really? I would have thought you would have just taken them from your stock of them, Adam.

You never sold the opto boards but you did give some away.

In fact, here is a pic of the back of one of your boards from about 2009 ish:

dZ8iSSK.jpg


And a wiki from BYOC talking all about them.

And Adam, here is a pic of your opto board from one of your 720 sticks:

7aHCbtr.jpg


So you see, there was no need to scan your own work. It is pretty unlikely the controller you decided to repro had a RAM controls opto board since you never sold them.

So, you see, Adam, you are busted. Why dont you pay the people you owe.

Also, why are you using a generic Cal Tech address for a return address?
 
Really? I would have thought you would have just taken them from your stock of them, Adam.

You never sold the opto boards but you did give some away.

In fact, here is a pic of the back of one of your boards from about 2009 ish:

dZ8iSSK.jpg


And a wiki from BYOC talking all about them.

And Adam, here is a pic of your opto board from one of your 720 sticks:

7aHCbtr.jpg


So you see, there was no need to scan your own work. It is pretty unlikely the controller you decided to repro had a RAM controls opto board since you never sold them.

So, you see, Adam, you are busted. Why dont you pay the people you owe.

Also, why are you using a generic Cal Tech address for a return address?

Trump card thrown.
 
Here is the "For Dummies" abridged version of the situation for those not in the know or who haven't read up on RAM Controls.

RAM Controls owes more money to more people than anyone else in the history of this forum. We're talking tens of thousands of dollars.

The behavior of this new guy is IDENTICAL to the behavior of Dave Adams/Adam Judd/RAM.

If you got something free from him... congratulations. If you bought something from him before you know what was up... and you got it... congratulations... if you buy something from him knowing who you are dealing with... (A) you're taking a chance (obviously) and (B) you're doing your fellow collector who got screwed by these people a disservice.

JMHO...
 
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