As one who appreciates a well written story, whether short or long, thank you for taking the time to share the experience. I will never get to write something like that because the second I got anywhere near where you did, I would have turned around. And as many a seasoned CL buyer will agree, most of us would have known something was up when a game like that sat unsold for that length of time! There is the exception....I got a DE HUO Batman a few months ago. Was listed for weeks at a low price but the guy was never home to let anyone come pick it up. I was persistent and four weeks after it was listed, and still listed, I got lucky and he was home one day when I called. Didn't know it was HUO until it was picked up! $1200! Shipping blocks were still on the backbox....had never been opened. He called later that day and confirmed his family had bought it new and if I ever wanted to sell it, to please give him first shot as he was having sellers remorse. That is a game I am going to keep and not resell. So, one never knows but generally if a great game at a stupid low price on CL lasts more than four hours, something's up! Thanks again for the story...a great read and laugh!

You overpaid

I bet an eight ball & a box of cereal would have worked too

I think the op had big ones negotiating at all! Well played. That is a story you will never forget.

I'm curious what this property looked like. Care to share the address or post a google earth/maps image?

You know, everyone is entitled to their opinion....I get that, but it's amazing how people will respond to the same post! I am with you...I really appreciate that he took the time to share his experience in an entertaining fashion. I really don't get the folks that had negative comments. Don't read it? Don't really know what to say! It entertained me for a good half hour....that's better than half of what's on TV and it was free!

To the OP: I read your very long post last night before I went to bed, and while it took a while, it was absolutely worth *every second I read*. There were at least two times that I nearly laughed myself into coronary seizure. I stinking *loved* this story, and while I'm glad you're all right and have a great story to tell, and while I'm glad that you got yourself a bargain, you *definitely* paid the price for it.

Thank you. I know it was a lot of work, both in obtaining it and writing about the experience, but if I should ever meet you, I'm buying you a drink...and I'm going to hear this story again first-hand. Better you than me!

Unfortunately, STNG ranks up there as about as heavy as they get. We bought one from a home customer and it had to go upstairs. Ended up just taking it completely apart, playfield out of the cabinet, head removed...the whole nine yards, but it was like new so worth the effort. That was months ago and I still haven't put it back together! The most heavy? Revenge from Mars! Had to do the same thing, as anyone who has owned or moved one knows.

Uh, he was referring to the long-ass quote of an actual literary work after the OP...

/facepalm.....

Even the cliff notes were too long. Sounds interesting though, but I'll wait for the youtube movie of it.

I'm speechless...

HUO: 0
NIB: 1

I think I'd have to cash out on the game . Every time I played it I'd have flashbacks.

would love to see a picture of this place, ...lol..even overgrown.

Slightly off topic, but I was once looking at my parents house on Google. I zoomed in to street view, and low and behold, there were my parents and my nephew standing there in their driveway staring at the Google camera. What are the odds of that? Their faces were blurred out, but you can still easily tell it's them.

I second this notion! Please post location so we can see!! Sometime's there is multiple views or maybe we can see something in the overhead view. Regardless, I am very curious!

OPs first post needs to be considered for top 5 posts of 2014 on Pinside.

He needs to be a writer. That was an outstanding story. I almost hoped things got "hectic" just to reward the feeling of teetering on the edge of the cliff of tension. Loved it.

Great stuff, OP!!!!!

Great story, took me all Sunday reading a little here and there. Made me think of House of a 1000 Corpses, was waiting for naked Gregg to show you fishboy. Great writing too by the way.

I've bought and sold a few things on Craigslist and always been a little nervous showing up at peoples houses or having them come to mine, thankfully they have all been fine experiences, but man am I going to pay extra close attention to warning signs from now on!

Congrats on going where no sane man has gone before!

Wow. read the story but no other posts. Psycho Trailer Dweller is clearly schizophrenic with a hyper-religious delusion. Very classic (in med-school I did a rotation of inpatient psychiatry where we saw a lot of that kind of crap). Glad you made it out safe.

I do work in rental properties in inner city Melbourne, and you wouldn't believe how some people live. Mind you inner city Melbourne is not a cheap place to live/buy/rent. I do window replacements.

We did one job where all of us workers developed rashes from the filth people live in, one apartment smelt so bad we thought something had died in it. The worst thing is people know we are coming and still leave all their crap where we are going to work. I'm talking people leaving rotting food in the sink below a window we are to change, clumps of dog hair and toe nail clippings on the floor, I mean f#*king filth. (I have dry retched in front of tenants.)

These grotty people often are the rudest and most demanding clients.

We get ours back, in a normal home we vacuum and fully clean any mess we make, if a place is a disgusting mess we make our mess and leave it...

One doesn't even need to visit these people's abodes to discern what filth they live in. I see household stuff in resale shops all the time so encrusted with blech that it boggles the imagination how they could get that way. How does a clock radio have a layer of film on it that you can scrape off in chunks?

CL app... Deleted!

Disappointing that folks often confuse mental health issues with drug abuse. The original poster mentioned drugs nine times ('I have entered a Drug fueled maniacs home...'), yet never saw any drugs or paraphernalia. Cool story bro, but dude likely wasn't a crack head. Just naturally friggin nuts.

Wow....read the whole story, like a book you can't put down.

I think the OP is actually Stephen King.

Great story and glad you survived. I drove 45 minutes to get my STTNG, loaded in 10 minutes and drove back home, again 45 minutes. TRUE STORY!!!!

Good read. As someone who carries $700 worth of tools in my smallish toolbag (most of that is my Fluke meter), I would never have brought my whole toolbag into that place. Brave soul.

Exactly this. No dolly but $700 worth of tools? Only things you need when picking up pins.

Dolly

Cheap ass ratchet (stanley or something similar) and 2 sockets. one for the big bolts and the next size down for smaller bolts

Lock picking kit (or drill) in case they lost the keys. (this can be left in the car and only brought out if you need it.

ratchet strap to tie the head down

that's it. Most expensive thing is the lock picking kit and dolly. If you forget your 1.25 socket or 7.99 wrench. Who cares?

This seems like a good place to post this. Got a pic of a pin from a guy today with a big old swastika on the wall next to it. Seems like it would have been easy to crop out.

If I seem defensive, it's probably because my older brother has been mentally ill for many years. He takes very powerful drugs to keep things under control and lives in a group home. The drugs make him look and act like he might be high or a drugee/ homeless person. His teeth started going early. He resisted taking the drugs at first, but finally realized he had to, despite what they do to his body. Bad teeth was just the beginning. This despite never being into drugs or alcohol prior to the start of his illness (early 20's). He looks and acts like a druggy, but he's not.

Your post was awesome. Really, I enjoyed it. I just couldn't help but notice that you mentioned drugs repeatedly, but never mentioned anything drug related specifically. Just generalizations. I trust that your observations were spot on as I sure as hell ain't going out there to check. d

Interesting story. Likely stolen goods, yes?

Best thing I've ever read on Pinside.

I have a really nice STTNG and a 38 foot camper in the back yard. I also have an 800 foot driveway that goes into the woods a bit... You're welcome over anytime. I do quite a bit of BBQ during the summer.

Can't see my house from the road so you feel nice and safe. It's really quiet when the trees are filled in..........

No real filth laying around but I do tend to let my grass grow longer than it should. I feel it smokes better that way though.

I don't take my meters with me to buy games. I'm not going to fix a game on site or try and diagnose any problems while i'm there. Less that works, the cheaper the price usually.

So, you actually have a "personal favorite way" of taking secret photos? Are you CIA or do it just for fun? Can we see some your secret shots? I bet they are good!

monroe.craigslist.org link

OH GOD IT'S STARTING AGAIN!!!!!

Seriously, this the same guy?

If so... man, you are going to burn your fingers...

It's not, but gotta admit that's one spooky coincidence lol..

Looks like there is need for flooring in Monroe or everyone likes the natural feel under foot.

Plus it's reminiscent of the movie "Deliverance".

I thought this was pretty much how every craigslist deal went down.

Seriously though. That was the longest post ever. Well worth the read though. I have met some shady people that is for sure but none quite that bad.

Is the audio book version available yet?

Judge much? The guy was selling a machine, not inviting you in for a Better Homes and Gardens article. Wow what a wonderful person you are with your clean underpants. At least you were able to mask your complete disgust for him and his life long enough to get what you wanted.

Finally sobered up, eh?

My gosh, how did I miss this thread? From my home state nonetheless. Wow!

Having read about 1/2 the first post. I had to stop and say this is some funny shit. I can just see the look in your eyes when he want to shake your hand.LOL

I bet your nephew never goes on a pin pick with you again. Great read. Need to be sticky.