The more I look at this thread, the more I think this is BS.
If you look at the original sales listing of this machine, it’s clean as hell.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/archive/111326

No rust or oxidation under the lockdown bar AT ALL.
Inside of the cabinet is flawless with the goodie bag still attached.
Coin box looks like it’s never been removed.
Even has LEDs, lighted speakers, color DMD etc.

I’ve been to Robert’s house on a couple of occasions to buy machines and this guys games are nice.

This is BS IMO.

Moderator's comment:

I would ask that the parties involved with this specific dispute take it to a new thread or PM, rather than clog up this dedicated general reference sticky thread. No further posts on this issue will be approved in this thread.

I hope that the matter will able to be resolved.

I get this text (CL posting) on a machine I have for sale- legit?

….I’m interested in buying it and I want you to know that i will be sending a Bank Check from my bank to you Via (USPS Priority Mail). I’m in no rush once the check clears then i will arrange for pickup,text me your full name and address to issue out the check to you…. …. … ….. …. ..

Scam.

Typically, if you feel you have to ask, it's likely a scam.

Cash on the glass, accept no substitutes

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-check-scams-infographic

Its a cashier's check scam. The guy forges a cashiers check, and then best case for him comes and gets the machine before you are notified, worse case you are notified early and then you get dinged for the bank fees associated with catching the bad check. Steer clear...

Specify in your ad all responses must include the item they are inquiring about and a time they are available to pick it up.
That weeds out the vast majority of scammers. Many scammers are auto-responding to every ad. They spend no time reading or complying with specifics.

I've made them send a check before, waste their time and postage. You can also see where the postmark is from.

Thanks gentlemen. Feel better telling them just cash on the glass. They want it , have their delivery peeps bring cash!

OfferUp has been notorious for scammers sending immediately a response and another giveaway that they are scammers is that they don't have history in their profile and want it right away.

MGP - off 58th in Denver!?!
drop me a note. Im in Denver and started building my collection a year ago.

20200821_102614 (resized).jpg

May be I am wrong, and blew off a nice guy, but...

I blocked this guy right away, lots of red flags, I dropped a line to Robin on this one as well.

Scam red flags:

- No history, no profile, no forums use, no collection info, no references, 4 yrs on Pinside with default profile for everything
- Willing to send money via paypal asap, shipping details to be worked out later given a story about carpet?
- Has a house in New York City?
- No indication how shipping would work, sketchy on even when it would occur
- Won't give phone number, only willing to use my Google Voice number on my Pinside business profile (easy for buyer to spoof nbr calling me)
- Says uses only pre-paid credit cards for online transactions (may be 10 yrs ago, things have matured a lot since then)
- Only wants Paypal - friends & family may be, except no offer to try something else other than what I proposed, escrow.com would be my next offer

I cut it off and blocked after not being willing to share a phone number, not worth the time to keep going to confirm scam. I am waiting for someone that is actually interested in the game (it is a bit unique) and who has at least some Pinside history.

If I was going to sell to this guy, I would pack up the game, drive it to the mall parking lot during the busy time of day and meet his "shipper" there...

scam pinside_PM (resized).png

Yep, I blew off a nice guy. Happy ending to this story is that I unblocked him after a week to see if his pinside log on was still being active. He reached out again with more info. Turns out he and I were both spooked by the worst case outcomes people have shared. He saw my post here as well...

He shared more about why he was interested in this unique game, I shared my online album of restoration pictures for it. He also provided a referance that I checked in with on Pinside. In the end we used pinside to continue chatting and we both got comfortable meeting up. He ended up coming out to CA to meet me, take delivery of the game in exchange for cash and then handed off to the shipper he sourced.

I packed it up securely with blankets, cardboard and stretch wrap plus I had a pallet with some tie downs. It turned out to be a good setup over all

Not sure what to advised after this, except don't jump to quick conclusions, feel out the situation, get a reference. Over all I have been super fortunate to have had only positive buying and selling experiences that have left me new contacts and people to network with. Of my 13 games, only 1 came from a dealer.