Gamers and Sony WEGA TVs

March 9, 2025 3:53 PM

Awhile back I heard that some gamers really like the old Sony WEGA TVs for their gaming system. I have a 32" Sony trinitron WEGA TV that I would like to get rid of. So, is it true certain gamers want them? If yes, how can I find these gamers?

It weighs way over 200lbs and I am a poor, elderly, disabled person. I'd really rather keep it out of the landfill. I'd much rather give it away FREE to someone who wants it than dump it. It still works fine and is able to be connected to the internet with a Roku and ethernet. It's way too big and heavy for me to ship, so local pickup is the only way I can handle. It's in a single storey house with 4-5 steps. I'm in Austin TX, so I reckon there are plenty of gamers in these parts.

So really two questions: 1. Are there gamers who would want a Sony WEGA display, and 2. How would I connect with such gamers?

Any Austin area MeFite can have first crack at it. I don't have a deadline, it will be here until someone comes and gets it. MeMail me if you want it.

posted by a humble nudibranch to Technology (11 answers total)

Definitely won't be hard to find a retro gamer to take this off your hands. If you have Facebook, posting on marketplace is probably you're best bet. There's also a couple Facebook groups like The CRT Collective or Save the CRTs. Even posting on Craigslist would likely have someone come soon.
posted by Teadog at 4:26 PM on March 9

I can't speak to the gaming aspect of this specifically, but there are Freecycle groups all over the country, including one in Austin, where you can list things that you'd like to give away. You can also specify that those who want it will need to come get it, and do all the heavy lifting because you're unable.
posted by pdb at 4:27 PM on March 9

I had a very similar Trinitron that I gave away via Facebook Marketplace about 4-5 years ago. I made it clear that it was very big and very heavy and that they anyone coming to pick it up would need help to get it out to their vehicle.

I had immediate interest and it was gone from my house in a day or two.
posted by mmascolino at 5:28 PM on March 9 [1 favorite]

This explains the interest I had in my Sony Trinitron when I sold it - it also sold basically immediately and for what I asked and the guys who came to pick it up were very enthusiastic about it.

I'd guess yours would sell similarly quickly and to people who would be happy to come pick it up without effort from you other than the effort to list it.
posted by urbanlenny at 6:57 AM on March 10

I tried to give away two old school tvs in the summer - I'd heard a lot about video gamers using them. In the LA metro area - no bites. I had to take them to a recycler and pay to dispose of them. I think $40 each. So good luck.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:22 AM on March 10

We were trying to flog a large CRT monitor for ages. It was a nice piece of old tech, state-of-the-art circa 2000-ish in good condition. Finally had to drop the price to FREE on FB marketplace to make it go away. So somewhere out there a gamer might pay for one, but I've never met them.
posted by ovvl at 8:24 AM on March 10

If I were in Austin I would pick it up TODAY. There have to be others out there who want it. Facebook marketplace, eBay, both will likely get some interest.
posted by dis_integration at 9:37 AM on March 10

I tried to give away two old school tvs in the summer ...

We were trying to flog a large CRT monitor for ages ...

I'll point out that the OPP is talking about a 32-inch CRT which is a monster, and a Sony Trinitron, which was high-end tech at the time. While you may indeed be unable to even give away any old CRT, a big Trinitron is different.

Perusing these search results should give you some guidance on pricing. Since you don't care about money, and just want it to go to a new owner and keep it our of the waste stream, I'd determine the average selling price out there and then halve it. Should go within days. Of course you should warn them about the extreme weight and the buyer's responsibility to pick up and take away.
posted by intermod at 9:51 AM on March 10

Absolutely retro-gamers will take that Sony off your hands!

I put our old 32” WEGA on Facebook Marketplace and it was quickly claimed by a group of college students for exactly that purpose. They drove two hours to get it.

I wouldn’t ask much, if anything, for it, especially if you want it gone. It served you well. Now let it retire to a good home.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:23 PM on March 10

Also: classical music/ opera / musical theater producing companies may still have use for CRT monitors. They often need video feeds showing the conductor to some of the performers onstage. (For the same reason as for gamers: the milliseconds of latency in LCD panels are noticeable to them and can throw off their timing).
posted by hovey at 2:11 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

I would advertise it as free & working, just get it out of here. Emphasize that it's a 32" Trinitron, over 200lbs, and you must bring your own help; I cannot help you move this. For your part, if you can make sure there is a clear, wide, uncluttered path from the TV to the exit, that's a big help. Also if you can help hold or prop the door(s) open, as a 32" Trinitron with 2-4 people shuffling it out is going to be a tight squeeze through most doorways.

When I was doing my lockdown house cleaning purge, I listed mine and it was gone the same day, thanks to a squad of high schoolers.
posted by xedrik at 9:08 AM on March 11