My advice is: GO! RUN WITH CASH IF YOU WANT IT! IMMEDIATELY!  Otherwise this happens more times than not.

I understand your point, but the only way of truely knowing that it's your machine is if you go get it with cash in hand.  If you wait, delay or just can't get there right away, you run the risk of a better offer (or other issue) beating you to the punch.

Whenever I sell games it's either "i'm leaving now to pick it up with the cash", or cash sale... anything else is just a discussion

I have had many an offer that has fallen through on the buyers side when selling my machines, as well as being a buyer backing out myself (abeit unintentional - Still sorry Gory!).  It's not fair to agree or hold items unless cash is exchanged.

If the guy accepted the $ Transfer you would have a legit beef (and a legal one), but in this case your probably lucky not to have had to do a deal with this guy - the machine may have had hidden issues.

Quoted from TGlover

... but in this case your probably lucky not to have had to do a deal with this guy - the machine may have had hidden issues.

For some strange reason, I highly doubt that.

The worst is if you make an agreement, then you drive out for an hour or more to find it gone. This hasn't happened to me, but it's a case I can imagine where "well, you should've got here sooner" doesn't fly.

Quoted from jonny_eh

The worst is if you make an agreement, then you drive out for an hour or more to find it gone. This hasn't happened to me, but it's a case I can imagine where "well, you should've got here sooner" doesn't fly.

Imagine if you already made arrangements and committed to driving for over 6 hours ... one way? And imagine if, hypothetically speaking of course, you already committed to delivering and picking up several pins for others? Wow, that might add to the disappointment.

As much as I find this happens much to often, and I can understand Mr. Niceguy's frustration, what is the purpose of bringing it up on this Forum if names are not mentioned? Shame those that can't keep their word or are dishonest or the other choice is to just move on. Pinball machines are like street cars...................their is always another one, you may just have to wait for a little while.

My two cents.

Over in the Cgcc forum there is actually an area for good vendors/bad vendors so that you can leave feedback on your transactions.

http://cgcc.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Perhaps we should have one here(at the new site) to weed out the problem buyers/sellers.

Quoted from TGlover

I understand your point, but the only way of truely knowing that it's your machine is if you go get it with cash in hand.  If you wait, delay or just can't get there right away, you run the risk of a better offer (or other issue) beating you to the punch.

I'm fine with that philosophy.  All I need is the seller to say " I'd prefer to sell it locally and/or sooner.  Tell you what.  If you can't come til next weekend, and I am unable to sell the machine by ( insert date here ) then I'll contact you since you were first in line."    All I need is to not live under the illusion that the machine was mine.  I'm only 10% mad I didn't get the machine....I'm 90% mad that the seller told me it was mine probably just to keep me in his back pocket in case someone else didn't come along.  

Most sellers realize that people may make plans that hinge upon picking up their machine and even spend money towards that end.  I'm going to Ottawa on my way back from Montreal.  Why you ask ?  Because I was going to bring back a Judge Dredd and when I saw TGlover's ad for shipping required, I figured "Hey, I might as well get a trailer and bring back his stuff as well.   So, I booked a hotel in Ottawa for the night.  Well, now that the JD was sold out from under me, I don't need the trailer so I cancelled it in order to save $50.  But I gave Terrance my word that I would pick up his items so I'm going anyway. PLUS, the money for the hotel is non-refundable  ( hotwire..good deals, but non-refundable ).  

Any seller who thinks that they can just back out of the deal and the world goes back to normal is pretty naive.

  

Quoted from HP5P

As much as I find this happens much to often, and I can understand Mr. Niceguy's frustration, what is the purpose of bringing it up on this Forum if names are not mentioned?

I was hesitant to act like jury, judge and executioner.  I kept names out it in order to lend it objectivity.  I have no problem naming names if that is considered fair play.  If Sparky gives me the go-ahead, I'll sing like a canary.

When you buy on ebay it gives you the chance to rank the seller and the buyer. Why can't we do something like that. If you are unhappy about someone you say so in a polite manner and it gives us a chance to know what happen.  Keep in mind that if someone gets a bad rep it can always resign under another name but it is a start.

I definitely want to know who this person is since I may later on try to make a deal. In my book your word is your signature on a contract you back out without specific reasons it tells a lot on your character.  

Enough said I am getting hot under the collar.  

I agree that you are only as good as your word. Unfortunately not everyone feels this way. However, word of mouth is the best way to grow a business (or not).

there has only been a few jd for sale on here in the past while and in that area that your going to as well.  
  so if people want to see who it is then do so.  i have had no regrets calling out people.  don't care what other think.
  usally we work things out sooner or later.  but i find it best for me to vent.  if i hold it in then i get worried later when doing a deal or something.  but if i let it out.  then i feel better and i am back to my old trusting self.