If it was for a week or two I would refund it, I've done it before, but once you stretch it into months it's a no-go. There are a lot of buyers out there who just string people along. I knew one dude who actually admitted to me he did this. He would string multiple sellers along for a long time, saying he was waiting on money etc., locking up all the machines for himself. Sometimes he would end up buying SOMETHING, but it was always the best deal out of them all. He actually did this to me a couple times, trying to hold me to months old deals while the prices were going up rapidly, but even then he wasn't ready to buy yet!

Keep the money!

The "buyer" isn't going to go to small claims court. Too much hassle and cost just to get back "$200".

Say the buyer does file. It costs him money to file. Now a whole day at small claims court. THEN, he still has to collect.

If it were for a couple weeks max, then the right thing to do is to return the deposit. This is months.

Going forward, the longest anyone should hold a game is 2 weeks. After that, it's fair game for others to buy.

If buyer threatens you to go to court. Threaten to counter-sue for the total loss of the sale of the game plus time out of work.

Buyer should be cool with it and let you keep the deposit. Hell I even send money to people who want to buy my machines and I back out and waste their time. I even almost bought an Alien LV but dropped out last minute and sent the distributor 300.00 for his troubles/time.
This is the way.

People who threaten to sue are not to be worried about. If we can't work things out between ourselves amicably, I'm just gonna sue, and not threaten you about it.

Buyer should have some common sense after two months of wasting the seller's time to not even ask for it back but this is the world we live in now, accountability taking a backseat to feeling entitled to everything.

All the comments about what the buyer should do or how the buyer should behave. That's not the question.

If I ever take a deposit, I expressly say that it is non refundable and make sure they know and agree to that. I really prefer to not take deposits though. "First one to show me the money takes the game home"

You use the word common as if it's a universal truth. Yet the fact this thread goes on for multiple pages with many opinions shows disagreement on the best course of action.

Crying about pete_d makes no sense either when his first comment in the thread was:

Many successful deals happen based on trust. Many more successful deals happen with contracts in place that set clear expectations for all parties involved. 'Life happens' and deals fall through frequently. Many people can negotiate that path if/when it happens but there is nothing wrong with clearly setting expectations ahead of time.

wrong

Not many people are drafting up contracts over $200 and a handshake deal. Want a notary public involved too? Guy made a deal and flaked... for a long time. Many agree that's the case and the flaky buyer is SoL... except one dude here went real anal about it, and I cracked a joke. That's all. Go carry on with your life now.

I believe it is wrong for the ex-buyer to ask, but in the end it wouldn't be worth $200 to hold the deposit. Like others have said, there are some real pychos out there and I would just give it back. However, I would tell him I'm doing him a favor and in the future be sure to discuss it or not bother with deposits.

I drafted this up at a Holiday Inn last night.

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OP sat on the game for 7 months he was trying to sell. After agreeing to only hold it for a month. More than met his end of the deal. The buyer created a headache for the OP. I say keep it and relist it if you still want to sell.

Never have I taken a deposit. I always have a conversation with a potential buyer. If it feels right, I’ll hold the machine for an agreed upon time frame. If it doesn’t, I just won’t do it. There’s always another buyer.

I’ll have the money next week, can I pay in payments, are red flags. Should someone that tight on money be buying a pinball machine?

Give him his deposit and move on.

I would include the purchase price in there.

This is a strange conversation. What the heck is a deposit, if not a good-faith down payment to cover the seller for lost opportunity while they get their shit together? No way I'd give this joker any money back; I already missed out on a few months o could have had full cash in hand and no pin taking up space. Market is cooling now too, this may cost you more than the deposit.

In the future, if you take a deposit, give them a forefit on date (i.e. - you pay within a month in full or deposit is forfeit and I move on).

Good point. I was only thinking about the aspect of the initial deposit to make it clear and concise as possible.

I am a firm believer this is your $200 to keep. 7 months? You bet your ass.

However, if you are going to give him money back, please do not give the whole $200, only offer to give him $100. The buyer has to learn that it just doesn't work this way and you can't change your mind after 7 months without penalty. it's a win - win for both of you.

A deposit is just that, a deposit to hold and take possession after payment in full.

Refundable deposits are on cars, rentals or anything financed, they run your credit and you don't qualify, then the deposit MUST be returned. That is LAW.

Yes u never get your money back if u back out from a pinball deal because that money is too hold the machine for him until he pays for it but now you lost all that time u could of sold it with money in your hand and plus now you have too relist it and hope you sell so I wouldn't a deal is a deal

^^This^^ There is no need to improve on this. Once he signs, it's done.

Too bad the other party isn't on Pinside. It's always fun when we get the otherside's take.

Ha just the newest in a loooong line of quick fizzle out members more interested in long pontification posts than anything else Fucking boring every time.