I'd be nervous fronting 3K without some hardcore proof of what he's got. As in, I'd want to go see it first, take lots of pics, ask lots of qs, and then do the financing that night or the next day or something.
Oh trust me, I don't think I'm in for this deal. Well, the Blue Note interests me if the price is right but I'm of the "If it's too good to be true then it is too good to be true" mindset when it comes to the Mermaid.
It would seem to me that there may be a great deal here. It is possible an operator does not know the value of the Mermaid. If you buy in person and do your homework I think you might score big. Keep in mind if you focus too much on the mermaid the operator will sniff it out and learn what it is worth.
Good Luck
Current Lineup: Black Knight, Riverboat Gambler, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Flintstones, Orbitor 1, Wipe Out, Breakshot, The Simpsons Pinball Party, Fish Tales, Eight Ball and a 60 in 1 Cocktail.
I scraped together some coin and am making an offer on my own.... but Still interested in a partner if my offer is rejected.
As for the machine. The operator went to the site yesterday to take an inventory of what he had. That is teh list he came back with. "MERMAID".
Also, any deal would be a cash at pick-up.... so my thoughts are, if it wasn't what you thought, no deal would ensue. Also without seeing these macgines first, cash on pick-up is teh only way to go.