So my wife and I just got home from checking out a game on Kijiji,a 1954 Gottlieb Poker Face.so he's asking $300.00 for the game and after looking it over I ask him what he'll take for it and he say's $400.00.when my wife and I both react in a bit of shock saying "your add only says $300.00"he tells us that he just got off the phone with a guy that has offered $500.00 over the phone.ever have this happen to you?

That's rude. I spoke with him but I certainly never offered more.

How'd it look? Did you buy it?

Tell him to get bent...

"If" he really had someone offer $500 ( ...sight unseen...),
tell him he to go ahead and sell it to that "phone buyer"...

People like that are untrustworthy and should certainly be avoided...

My 2 cents...

Steph

tell him to take the 500$!!
and offer him 200$ walking out the door.... he'll take it

yeah saw that before or someone comes over saying ''hey i was gonna buy that'' showing interest in the machine so you don't change your mind.... hey! what's a friend for!!!

obviously the guy wants more, probably because he had more infos about his machine, the machine is list at $950 in mr. pinball 2010.

I think the game was worth what he was asking but after he had told us that his phone was ringing off the wall I think he got the impression it was suddenly worth more.it didn't have any deep PF wear but it had wear all over.the BG had some paint loss,plastics were shot,had some wire hacks and some busted caps(the ones that are 12 bucks each at PBR)

Yeah, that sucks.  After talking to you on the phone, Ted, I have a more important question:  Who the hell is Dave from Brampton that's offering more sight unseen?   His nuts should be cut off.  

Maybe he lied and forgot I said my name was Kevin. I'm glad I didn't go. I'd be royally pissed to drive all that way for him to try and milk it for more money. Dickhead.

Call him and offer him $800 site unseen.  Then when he backs out of the $500 deal via the telephone bid he'll be screwed!  

Even better... tell him the price as written in the price guide, and tell him you are ready to round it out to a grand.

Quoted from TGlover

Call him and offer him $800 site unseen.  Then when he backs out of the $500 deal via the telephone bid he'll be screwed!  

I LIKE that idea...    

I've had this happen.. was literally on my way out the door to pick a machine up, but thankfully called to confirm their address first.. and of course, they had mentioned that someone offered $250 more than their asking price, sight unseen.. but they of course graciously offered it to me for that price first.    I said no thanks.

I hardly ever bother with Kijiji anymore.. it's really not worth the effort.  Too many vultures out there looking to scoop up all the deals, and if they can't they'll make sure they ruin it for the other guy.

It's definitely much easier buying from other collectors.  

Quoted from novaguy

I think the game was worth what he was asking but after he had told us that his phone was ringing off the wall I think he got the impression it was suddenly worth more.it didn't have any deep PF wear but it had wear all over.the BG had some paint loss,plastics were shot,had some wire hacks and some busted caps(the ones that are 12 bucks each at PBR)

From that description , it was barely worth it ...

Happens all of the time unfortunately.  People who do it have balls (green ones). I'll play devil's advocate.  

But look at it from their perspective... they don't know you from Adam, they owe you nothing.  They need some cash for something they want to sell.  Maybe they don't want to sell but have to.  So they take a wild guess at its value, put up at a certain price.  Perhaps they even agree to sell at that price and then they get a call (or calls) offering more.  What would you do (if this was your one and only pinball sale)?

Either someone (we'll call "him" Sour Grapes)  says they would have offered more to screw with the sale, or perhaps they do offer more, fishing, on condition of an inspection (and eventually show up and go, "oh no, sorry, it's not in as good condition as I thought").  Maybe they outright offer more and are first with cash and the seller "switches" buyers.  Or maybe they simply get a lot of calls and beleive they could have asked for more (what seller doesn't think that with EVERY sale.

So they aren't necessarily doing that out of malice, they don't care if you're miffed, it's not like they've caused you any harm, and for them it's just self preservation.

P.S. In my readings up on the whole "refund" affair, I seem to also remember reading that an advertisement isn't normally considered a binding offer to sell at a given price.  Until the seller accepts conditions, a deposit or payment with another party; no contract exists.

Perhaps one slippery past or present Hamilton dude who shall remain nameless but whom we often associate with a character on "The Matrix" movie knows that and its why offering to sell machines for $1, or to buy machines for $5,000 on KIJIJI works...

... in any case revenge is a bitter fruit (i.e. telling them to go take a hike isn't in your interest either).  

Either stick to your guns and tell them your offer is fair (and the most you can afford) and if they don't get a better one, they can give you a call back, or tell them the story about "Sour Grapes" and what can potentially happen, and that they might be losing a bird in the hand, because you're willing to buy it sight unseen, drive over tonight to pick it up, AND you'll bring a buddy so THEY don't have to help haul it up out of the basement....

... I've found that  those kinds of positive "incentives" work wonders.

I once even had someone find some morals?  On my way to pick up a High Speed, sight unseen, I get a call telling me the deal is off.  I tell them I'm a man of my word, so I'm really disappointed they are not. I also let them know that sometimes people offer more just to break an existing deal so they can take a look and then might back down after seeing it.  An hour later I get an apologetic call, moral change.  Deal back on.  I get there.  The High Speed they tell me they have "loved" for years is a piece of mess with no glass, a playfield worn to the bone, this not working, that not working, dome motor not working... sound not all working... I have to haul it up a flight of stairs and a bend all by myself because the guy now says his back is out.  You get the picture, worth well below what I offered site unseen.  

I still have that High Speed.  Afterall, I am a man of my word.  

Quoted from websherpa

I once even had someone find some morals?  On my way to pick up a High Speed, sight unseen, I get a call telling me the deal is off.  I tell them I'm a man of my word, so I'm really disappointed they are not. I also let them know that sometimes people offer more just to break an existing deal so they can take a look and then might back down after seeing it.  An hour later I get an apologetic call, moral change.  Deal back on.  I get there.  The High Speed they tell me they have "loved" for years is a piece of mess with no glass, a playfield worn to the bone, this not working, that not working, dome motor not working... sound not all working... I have to haul it up a flight of stairs and a bend all by myself because the guy now says his back is out.  You get the picture, worth well below what I offered site unseen.  

I still have that High Speed.  Afterall, I am a man of my word.  

Is that the same High Speed you offered to sell to me and then backed out on?     

@machine.slave

Still bitter eh?   I believe so, you are indeed a lucky man and can thank me later.    

But actually I have two High Speeds, so who knows which one you would have gotten.  And you know, I haven't hit rock bottom yet ... so there's still hope that the deal might go back on!  Unless someone offers me something better. Did you notice how smoothly I didn't mention my buying price on that particular deal...

Wait, I'll field a few offers now and then get back to you. I STILL can't beleive you sold Wipe Out! AND Starship Trooper.  

(P.S. to those that like to PM and rant about all the "inside jokes" - p*ss off eh?)    

Quoted from websherpa

P.S. In my readings up on the whole "refund" affair, I seem to also remember reading that an advertisement isn't normally considered a binding offer to sell at a given price.  Until the seller accepts conditions, a deposit or payment with another party; no contract exists.

This is true, a sign or advertisement is an offer to do business they don't have to stick to the price.  It is not a contract until some kind of payment is made. Could be cash, an item etc.  

As far as this situation (the pin) goes.  I simply tell them my offer stands if they change their minds and move on.  If they call back then we discuss etc.  Just wait and see the machine will still be there in a few days, if it is in the condition you described.

Keep on playing

Quoted from novaguy

So my wife and I just got home from checking out a game on Kijiji,a 1954 Gottlieb Poker Face.so he's asking $300.00 for the game and after looking it over I ask him what he'll take for it and he say's $400.00.when my wife and I both react in a bit of shock saying "your add only says $300.00"he tells us that he just got off the phone with a guy that has offered $500.00 over the phone.ever have this happen to you?

Happens all the time. Might as well get used to it. Like Wayne mentioned, the guy doesn't know you and doesn't owe you anything. Sure it sucks, but we are only talking $100. If you really wanted it, a $100 isn't going to break the bank. Might be different if he suddenly marked it to book value and the condition doesn't reflect that.

I've had the inverse happen with a MAACA member. We discussed a price for a game I had for sale. I agreed on the price and he wanted to confirm condition with pictures. I sent a bunch of high res pictures. "Looks great. Can I see plunger lane?" No problem, I take that pic and the area is mint. No wear whatsoever. Guy suddenly drops his price by a couple of hundred AND adds the condition of delivery to the GTA. I pleasantly reply no and add his name to the list of folks I won't sell to under any condition.

Live and learn.

Duane

Yeah that kinda sucks, but on the other hand really can't blame the seller if there is a legit offer for more money.

If he had your cell # and knew you were on your way over he should call you before you take the drive. If it was a long distance for you it is especially shitty.

I would be embarassed to do what he did.

If I was the seller, once you had arranged to drop by I would feel obligated to call and inform you that I had been offered more, thus giving you the opportunity to still get it if you were the first to show up with cash.

Also, was it worth more to you? If so, I guess you would have bought it for the higher price. We are talking hundreds, not thousands.

Quoted Text

  I pleasantly reply no and add his name to the list of folks I won't sell to under any condition.  

Names!!!

I think the layers chat is all very good - but in the real world prices go up when someone wants it to.

Good luck trying to enforce a seller to give you the price they asked...

Only businesses must honour advertised prices and there are conditions. Read the fine print on any car ad.
I find that most of the law pertaining to sales etc is pretty obvious and in most cases what I would have guessed it is. Perhaps because it is consistent with typical Canadian thinking AND I have been in sales for 20 odd years.

As a buyer, I will pass on someone who all of a sudden raises the advertized price of an item
(even if not commercial).

As a seller, I never raise the price of something (unless it is to include more parts, delivery, etc).
In fact, a few times I have actually lowered a sale price a tad due to a small discovered flaw.

I simply do not deal with people who put greed and big profits first.

Keeping my word, honour, and good reputation, are values far more important to me
than making a few more $. Life is too short and busy....

Cheers,
- Sylvain.

I kinda feel the same way Sylvain,it's called morals.

Morals aside, it sounds like you chose to purchase on condition of inspection rather than make him a firm sight unseen offer on the phone before going out.  That's fine, but you have to accept that sh*t happens.  You don't have to like it, but do understand that this happens all the time.

9 times out of 10 on an as is personal sale, someone won't let a bird out of the hand, so unless the seller was a real fool, he must have felt pretty sure he would get his $500.  Since he has no obligation to sell at the advertised price and it's in his interest to get the highest price possible for the sale, you could say that at least he offered to split the difference with you. That being said, maybe he was just yanking your chain.  I'm just sorry the experience was a bad one for you.

No one can know how they would react in that situation until faced with it.  

Quoted from websherpa

No one can know how they would react in that situation until faced with it.  

I recently had a bunch of difficulty getting my first pin.  I had a deal lined up and was going to go buy it the next day and the guy e-mailed me in the morning saying that somebody had bought it sight unseen (and ended up paying a bit more than I was willing to pay so it was a bit moot) but I learned one thing: if you really want the machine, be ready to get in your car and go.  I'm now thinking that I will pretty much be leaving work and picking up a machine at the drop of my hat for the next one.

My friend was looking at a machine and agreed on the price and the guy jacked it and then they re-agreed on a price and then the next day jacked it again.  I e-mailed him and it "was sold."  I noticed that it was posted again the other day at 3x the original price (and 2x the second and 0.8x of the third).  I guess the sale fell through.


My vote is for integrity.  Especially if there is an agreed upon price and you're already en route.

Just got an email, this machine is still available.  

Yeah, that was a funny situation.... because he told me I was the first in line caller, and then even called me at home to ask me to come get it that evening even though we had originally agreed on the next day.  I have a feeling he may have not been telling either of us a full story.  (and just for the record, I paid what he originally advertised and asked, I would never snake another guy by offering more).  

Daniel

Quoted from mmmpeanutbutter

I recently had a bunch of difficulty getting my first pin.  I had a deal lined up and was going to go buy it the next day and the guy e-mailed me in the morning saying that somebody had bought it sight unseen (and ended up paying a bit more than I was willing to pay so it was a bit moot) but I learned one thing: if you really want the machine, be ready to get in your car and go.  I'm now thinking that I will pretty much be leaving work and picking up a machine at the drop of my hat for the next one.

My friend was looking at a machine and agreed on the price and the guy jacked it and then they re-agreed on a price and then the next day jacked it again.  I e-mailed him and it "was sold."  I noticed that it was posted again the other day at 3x the original price (and 2x the second and 0.8x of the third).  I guess the sale fell through.


My vote is for integrity.  Especially if there is an agreed upon price and you're already en route.

I called just for funsies... still available.  No pics, "You either want it or you don't"  Great seller!

Quoted from machine.slave

Just got an email, this machine is still available.  

OK, I take back my politeness for niave sellers. Screw him to the wall.  

Ya the one thing that I forgot to mention last night that pissed me off wasn't really the fact that when I asked what he wanted for the game and he said more,it was the fact that we spent about 40 minutes looking at it before he told us he had a higher offer than the asking price.

Quoted from novaguy

Ya the one thing that I forgot to mention last night that pissed me off wasn't really the fact that when I asked what he wanted for the game and he said more,it was the fact that we spent about 40 minutes looking at it before he told us he had a higher offer than the asking price.

Definitly fishing for more $$$ , this guy ...  

Quoted from gmaranda

This is true, a sign or advertisement is an offer to do business they don't have to stick to the price.  It is not a contract until some kind of payment is made. Could be cash, an item etc.  

As far as this situation (the pin) goes.  I simply tell them my offer stands if they change their minds and move on.  If they call back then we discuss etc.  Just wait and see the machine will still be there in a few days, if it is in the condition you described.

Keep on playing

As stated the machine is still there..............I'm good!!!!  Time to bring down the price since he is ready for it.  He has now realized that real value of his machine and that buyers are not lined up at the door.  I bet he would take $250.

I think novaguy should email the douche offering $200 for the pin provided he gets an apology for wasting everyone's time.  

Maybe it wasn't the other calls that hiked up the price, but the 40 minutes you took looking.... "b**** Tax" comes to mind.    (Just kidding.)