Get off my lawn! I must be getting old because it is so much easier to talk with someone over the phone than the back and forth messaging. You get a better sense of who you are dealing with and can find out more info through a 5 minute chat. When responding to an ad I always include my # to make it easier for old folk like me. When selling if someone shows interest the next message is my # in case they have other questions. The last pin I sold I responded to over 7 people with my # and almost every one of them replied back in message. I wound up selling the pin to someone here on Pinside through pm's only.

Not related to pinball.....my sister-in-law is a texting fool. She is 79 years old. I get a text and answer her. Here comes another text and I answer. Here comes another.....

I finally told her that after 3 texts that we have a conversation going and to just call instead.

I’ve sent that message to people on CL, because there is a high propensity of people failing to remove the ads after the game is sold. Often, you get no response at all, and the ad is still up 3 months later.

Because if you reply to that message that it is available, you get a message from a guy on an oil rig that's going to send a friend with a cashier's check made out for more than you're asking.

As an interested buyer, it's up to you to express what interest you have in the item for sale. Is your interest simply whether it's available?

Obviously not, and there is customarily more to my email. That is just how it begins, and it’s asking if it’s STILL available, not just “is it available” as you stated. I think we have all dealt with sellers that simply didn’t remove ads in the past after the item was sold.

Removing an ad once an item is sold must be as hard as picking up a phone for some people.

I once responded to an add for a pricey medieval madness. I showed up and he had every a list title. I ended up walking out with mm, afm, sttng, Indiana jones and white water for incredible prices because I asked.

Being a women I don't like to talk on the phone text only. Most men turn the conversion weird. All I want to do is buy a pinball machine, not find a date or soul mate... lol

My favorite is the text or instant message, "would you take $xxx". My standard response is I don't negotiate by email, text, or phone. When would you like to come see it? Call me to set a time.

The only exception is when they are too far away for a come see it trip, and are willing to pick up a phone and have a conversation. Or if they call and are obviously part of the pin community and I get the feeling they are serious. But 42 text or IM messages back and forth, no thanks.

Only way I talk to my kids is texting, if I call directly they never pickup. Think its a millennial thing!!

Oh, and second favorite, the "is it still available message" I respond yes, want to come see it? Then they go silent, no response. Have really been tempted to send the FB ones, where you can see their profile, a message on their time line asking why they wasted your time asking if it was still available if they had no intention of responding.

Ha, will do. I did have to call a pinball buddy to split it with and help me move it all up the 1.5 flights of stairs with a couple 90 degree turns

You're telling me. I think I’ve overused my neighbors. Every time I pull up and they see me unloading a game, they all close their doors and turn off the lights. Or they all suddenly have some type of shoulder injury that prevents them from lifting anything heavy. LOL

Luckily, it’s a flat ride into my game room, only one little step. I can usually manage myself.

I fire it right back. Say you are asking $500.00. Someone texts and asks "Would you take $100.00?" I text back and say, "I'll take $500.00. What will you give?"

That forces them to go away or make an offer. "Wood ja take" is not an offer. It is a question. If he comes back says "I will give you $100.00" I now have an offer. I can work with that. I say, ahhh...right now I can't go that low. I just put it up for sale. However, if I still have it sale in a few weeks maybe I could look at your offer. However, I could let it go today for $450.00. Can you do $450.00?

Sometimes it works. Some times it don't. If the guy is not a scammer, learn to laugh a little bit. Shrug it off. It is just business. And everybody is wanting it cheaper than you are asking most of the time.

That must be your kids I see riding their bicycles down the street with their cell phones glued to their faces. I about ran into the curb one day when I saw that.

Hey kid...Waaatch out for that caaaar!

Kid text code: AIRDNR

Adult in room do not reply

I think it’s because even people with viable listings don’t reply to “still available”, it’s too short and sounds like spam. Of course a reply like “I am very interested in the pin, if it’s STILL AVAILABLE I would like to come check it out” would warrant a response.

“I am INTERESTED in the game, any issues I should know about, can I come take a look this weekend. “ seems like a real person

“Is it still available” simplistic reply ......um yes...
“Interested” the reply is......okay......
It’s a meaningless conversation thus wasting time, and usually they never reply. Interested is not even a question, there is no reply.

In my experience, the people asking you to call them tend to be either older or technologically impaired. Serious about possibly buying, but just not able or willing to correspond via email.

I am one of those older buyers, who built my company on direct communications with clients. I prefer phone calls.
By the way I retired at 61.

So when somone is selling a pinball machine do you leave a message saying "call me?"

I can't speak for banker, but of I called someone who had a pin for sale and I was sent to voicemail I'd leave a message saying "call me". How else are you supposed to do it?

Of course, if it was a hot pin I would not wait for him to call back. I'd be calling him back relentlessly until I was told it was sold.

A little more info but yeah I got off track there...the original post was aboot emailing just a "call me" not a call which is diff'rent than a call for sure.

I don't get this thread at all. If you're trying to sell a product, you have to respond to people by phone or email. Simple as that. If you don't like it than say in your ad, "I respond to email only"! Good luck with that.
If someone doesn't want to talk over the phone about their product they're selling, they are either a scammer or lazy. Neither one I want to do a transaction with....ever.

So if you have a game up on craigslist with just the email link and I send "I want that and have cash. Call me. Thanks, Mark 541-xxx-xxxx" do I get a call or do you blow it off? Just curious.

I guarantee you 100% I will never bother you about anything posted on faceplant.

If they want me to text them or try to text me, they are shit out of luck. My wall phone don't play that game.

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Sorry thelaw... The correct answer appears to be "crickets".

I'm in my my early 40's and after initial inquiry emails or texts, still prefer talking on the phone for 5-10 minutes to get details ir when the deal gets closer.

I am not going to spend even 1k on an item before talking with a seller first. You can get more information and get a better feel for someone on the phone. I also get sick of answering emails and texts at a certain point. More time consuming in the end.

that detective guy was at my place looking over my W?D. seriously never again!