Hey all,

I have seen a few comments lately about some taking offense to taking profit after finding a deal.

My thoughts are as follows.
1. We should be fair to one another as we all will want to buy and sell games and parts over time.
2. If someone spends a bunch of time and effort to find a great deal then they should get paid for that time. Think of it this way, if they are selling at a fair price and you want it; it does not matter how much they paid to get it.
3. Most people post a MAACA price and a higher Kijiji price; I think this is a good practice.
4. At the end of the day on any purchase, buyer beware.

Later

As far as I'm concerned I have no issue with others selling something for whatever someone else
is willing to pay.  It's not my thing but I can live it.

What I take issue with is blatant misrepresentation, for example claiming something is HUO when
there is no evidence to prove that it is.  Even worse when there appears to be evidence to the
contrary.  I know when I sell/trade a machine, if it can't be viewed in advance I go to whatever
lengths necessary to represent the machine as accurately as possible, even if it's going to cost
me the sale/trade.

Quoted from silverball

What I take issue with is blatant misrepresentation, for example claiming something is HUO when
there is no evidence to prove that it is.  Even worse when there appears to be evidence to the
contrary.  I know when I sell/trade a machine, if it can't be viewed in advance I go to whatever
lengths necessary to represent the machine as accurately as possible, even if it's going to cost
me the sale/trade.

Fair enough - that's why I corrected it on the ad.  I should have said that it could have been HUO due to condition.  

I conceed on that point. your correct.

My view on the subject:

• If you list a game and it sells within a few hours, and the buyer is happy, then your asking price might be too low!  
  
• I hate selling, and would prefer to lose money versus having an endless stream of tire kickers.
  
• If you are great at scouring RSS feeds and get the lucky pin - congrats.   If you offer it for sale for a fair price on MAACA, thanks!
  
• If we're not friends, why in the world would I expect you to share in your good fortune.   I consider most MAACA members my friends.
  
• If you sell a game and its not as expected, and you don't live up to your word, then I hold a grudge for a long time.
  
• Pinball is a small world, and karma is a b****
  
• Brodeur's played his last Olympic game
  

Quoted from Tuborg

Brodeur's played his last Olympic game

Here's hoping... that was downright terrible!

Quoted from Jester

Most people post a MAACA price and a higher Kijiji price; I think this is a good practice.

Later

Personally, I believe this is wrong.  If you want $400, you may post for $450 etc.. because some like to bargain. However, most people are outraged at lowballers (I'm not) and don't even flinched at the highballers.  If you give me a good price because I am part of this forum, of course I will take it but if you ask $500 on kijiji and will allow me to have it for $350 then you highball and to me it is the same as lowballing...............you are looking for a big fish outside.  

Be realistic most of you don't know me and because I have signed up to this forum and put a few posts once in a while you will shave off $150 etc!!! I don't want to get into this debate again but price to get what you want.  If you price right it will sell.

keep on playing

Quoted from gmaranda

Personally, I believe this is wrong.  If you want $400, you may post for $450 etc.. because some like to bargain. However, most people are outraged at lowballers (I'm not) and don't even flinched at the highballers.  If you give me a good price because I am part of this forum, of course I will take it but if you ask $500 on kijiji and will allow me to have it for $350 then you highball and to me it is the same as lowballing...............you are looking for a big fish outside.  

Be realistic most of you don't know me and because I have signed up to this forum and put a few posts once in a while you will shave off $150 etc!!! I don't want to get into this debate again but price to get what you want.  If you price right it will sell.

keep on playing

The difference between a kijiji buyer and a maaca buyer is big, and I think it's worth charging extra to the kijiji buyer for your trouble. Kijiji buyers tend to not be pinball people (otherwise they'd be on maaca) and therefore will require more helping moving, setting it up, and even some tech support. If the kijiji buyer is a pinballer, but not on maaca, then they may be less trustworthy since they don't have a reputation to defend.

I've sold on both kijiji and maaca. My kijiji sales always have something wrong with them, while my maaca sales have always gone smooth (relatively).

I think Kijiji is a place to sell and get what you want for a machine, hopefully.

MAACA is a place I know I can move the machine either way.  And, of course I like to give dibs to people that I KNOW will appreciate the game.

People I know absolutely nothing of, have nobbody to vouch for them, dont know anybody who knows them etc., I am less inclined to want them to enter my home.  So, by pricing a little less on MAACA I know that for not having to deal with a complete unknown I will get a bit less but also take less risk.

Quoted from gmaranda

if you ask $500 on kijiji and will allow me to have it for $350 then you highball and to me it is the same as lowballing...............you are looking for a big fish outside.  

I don't quite see how asking more on Kijiji or Craigslist is insulting to a MAACA member, unless one considers oneself to be a member of the pinball price police force.  Besides, I doubt that many members here are guilty of "highballing" inside or outside this forum.  I think highballing" is a label reserved for sellers who ask for 40 or 50% above market price.  Who does that here ?


Be realistic most of you don't know me and because I have signed up to this forum and put a few posts once in a while you will shave off $150 etc!!! I don't want to get into this debate again but price to get what you want.  If you price right it will sell.

I could offer an MAACA discount only to members I know, or perhaps even only the members I like, but that would be pretty discriminating.  The only way to offer a discount is to offer it across the board so that no one gets bent out of shape about it.   Remember, if you don't feel that you are deserving of a discount just by virtue of being a member, then you can always contact the person through Kijiji or Craigslist and pay the big fish price.

What was said earlier was bang on :  The MAACA discount is for acknowledging that you are a savvy member of the pinball community and that you are going into the sale with your eyes open.  You actually are paying for that discount with your tacit consent that if you get a deal, you are not to come whining about a rubber that wasn't replaced or a fuse that blew in transit.  That can definitely be worth $100 or $200 when selling a pin.  

Quoted from gmaranda

Be realistic most of you don't know me and because I have signed up to this forum and put a few posts once in a while you will shave off $150 etc!!! I don't want to get into this debate again but price to get what you want.  If you price right it will sell.

The people at Chapters/Indigo don't really know me either.  But because I bought their card (for one year), I belong to their club and they give me discounts.  Same thing, isn't it?  MAACA is like a loyalty card of some sorts, for some people.

Quoted from wbradley

MAACA is a place I know I can move the machine either way.  And, of course I like to give dibs to people that I KNOW will appreciate the game.

People I know absolutely nothing of, have nobbody to vouch for them, dont know anybody who knows them etc., I am less inclined to want them to enter my home.  So, by pricing a little less on MAACA I know that for not having to deal with a complete unknown I will get a bit less but also take less risk.

Truer words not spoken (or something like that, I am king of the mixed metaphore).

I have lost money, made money both with friends and with acquaintances.  It all balances out to "zero" in the end.    

But I can count on one or two fingers the MAACA members who bought anything who "expected" any after sales support or service.  One of the benefits of dealing with competent colleagues is that we all aready know what to expect (well most of the time) before you get to the door with your cash.  And if it turns bad, well, we become more cautious the next time.

But you know, there are just some people who you WANT to deal better than fairly with, they just attract good karma.  And there are some people who rub you the wrong way.  

One thing I HAVE learned here on MAACA is DON'T BURN YOUR BRIDGES.  Everyone has likely had issues with each of us at one time or another (particularly in the virtual world) but I've found out by travelling around and meeting many members that they tend to be great people.  

I think someone complained about the "clique'ish" nature of some of the members and all the "inside" jokes.  Well, after a couple years reading posts, having the odd beer at a pinball get together, and selling machines back and forth, plus discussing stories of the horrid Kijiji purchases you've made .... you come to trust each other.

I love you all.  Really!

Wow obviously I touched a nerve   I don't think it is insulting to ask more outside this forum, I just don't do business this way AND I don't think any less of anyone. I simply don't do business this way.  I ask for what I believe is a fair price whether I know you or not.  Sorry but this is me.  However, I would PREFER to sell to someone on this forum since as it was stated it does have a better chance to be trouble free.  Furthermore, I would help any of you in any deals but I have never believed in a two level sale.

I recently sold a roof top carrier to a lady. She showed up alone and what do you think I did?  Yes, I got out and fully installed it on her car at minus 25 celsius.  I would have done the same thing to you or anyone (woman or not).  

It was nice discussing with you

take care