I didn't do exactly that, but did look at an em that was, In my opinion, underpriced based on condition so I did not Bother to make an offer and gave the fella what he was asking.

That was big of you to do. I think the real lesson here is once folks become an "expert" on a particular subject there is a tendency to want to turn everyone into the same thing. A guy might end up with something unusual like a pinball machine that he wants to sell (not interested in keeping it, ended up with it in an estate, etc) and they just want to get rid of it, without "giving it away". If he lists it for 1k, and it's only worth $200 to you, offer him $200 and move on. He didn't ask for the education so there was no need to include that.

I just bought a Spring Break that way. Told him it was listed too low and offered a fair price for what it was. He wrote back thanking me and I got the pin.

That is very nice, but Did the seller email you back after the original email before you sent the apology email? If not and I'm the seller I am going to think your crazy and not want to deal with you.

I'm not trying to be mean, but that is what I would think.

Who has that much time? Besides all the ad's are way out of line and not to mention mostly all pointless too. Its sad what CL and Ebay have become.

John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
269-979-3836

.......if your not interested, don't contact the seller at all. leave it to the person that OWNS the machine decide what they would like to sell it for. It is after all their machine, and your opinion idoesnt really matter to the seller, especially if you aren't even interested....just makes you one of those people that makes Craigslist a bad experience.

Exactly,

And people wonder why they sometimes don't get any replies when they try to contact people re: CL listings?!!? Between whack-job email like this and avoiding the bad check scams, etc, the ratio of noise to real emails is pretty dismal.

Not a bad idea. A lot of times, people dunno what they got, legitimately. Be fair, and fair prices will return themselves. I have multiple experiences with CL regarding that.

You are being an asshole!!! Unless you plan to make an offer to buy. Otherwise you have no reason to contact them.

You sure are.

I would say this is most likely the case,lol.

You are absolutely one of my favorite Pinsiders!

As pointless and obnoxious as it might be for someone to contact a seller about a ridiculously overpriced machine, it's also pointless and obnoxious to place a forever running ad at a ridiculous price.

But that is their business. Ignore it. Ebay and Craig's list is not a forum or club. You have no connection to care.

Really? You have no problem with that here.

I also find it pointless because everyone's doing it regardless of what is being sold. I listed a vintage Slingerland snare drum for $20 and I had two different people email me claiming the value was $5.

If you don't like the price, don't buy it and move on. Two pins of the same title can vary in price by more than 50% depending on many factors. Condition, mods, demand, etc.
I am a new dealer. I sell my machines shopped, with a full warranty, buy back guarantee of 80% of the selling price, and offer a selection of over 35 machines and I get people all of the time saying that my prices are high. I'm glad that we live in the USA. We all have the choice to buy and sell at whatever price that we want, and if we don't like either we can move on to the next seller/buyer. There is no need to be a dick, and it is absolutely not your place to tell someone what is the wrong or right price for any item.
Just mind your own business and move on, or you are truly being a dick. Those rude people are the ones that want full retail for their non-shopped machines and are not willing to pay a little more for a machine that is 100%

Manny
Lights Out Pinball

I'm pretty sure your next correspondence from the seller is more likely to be a restraining order rather than an invitation into his home to play some pinball....

Such is the mindset on items for which there is no Kelly Blue Book. It may take a few more years but the existing price guides, (if they're still around), will likely increase in accuracy, and the confidence of the people referring to them.

Well............You're trying to capitalize in a hobby where most of its hobbyists prefer getting their hands dirty! You can prey on deep pockets all you want, but in my experience, even the most successful retailers wholesale games from time to time for whatever reason, day job or not, adjusting inventory, making ends meet, etc. Best to minimize your unskilled labor, (and let the hobbyist do his thing), before getting bent out of shape over it.

Be careful

That last sentence is beautiful.

Agreed.

It never hurts to be nice to people. I've found that if someone has a crazy high number, the best option is to just calmly and rationally explain to them the current prices, show them "completed" listings online, explain to them what the issues are with their machine and what it costs to fix.

They may tell you to take a hike...but they may ring you back to take a look if other people come out, rant that it's a piece of junk and not worth anything.

A few minutes of reasonable explanation is worth it.

Exactly. I just picked up a nice game I'd been after a long time. I know I didn't have the highest offer on the table but was straight forward and respectful. The guy basically told me I was the nicest he dealt with and preferred I was the one who bought the game. Sometimes being the path of least resistance puts you on the inside track.

sounds like pretty much anything people try to sell on craigslist.

Great ending to the story!