Cold PM'ing folks to try and buy high-end games

[ReWrite]

What is the mind-set of the person who does this? And if you're one of them, has it ever actually worked out for you?

I swear every time I post a picture of my game room (usually because I'm trying to take a picture of a part and the room is in the background) I get half a dozen PM's asking to buy hard to find cabs off of me.

I don't get it. It's like walking up to a guy in the parking lot and asking to buy his car. Just bizarre to me.

I'm sure this happens to other folks as well on here, yeah?

 

[orangewhip]

I don't post many pics, but I get the odd contact once in a while from my VAPS listing

 

[andrewb]

There are just a lot of people around right now (mostly newer collectors) with more money than brains. Mainly due to the economy, but also fueled by the desire to show off on social media.

A good recession will fix all of that.

 

[matman]

I don't do that at all. If someone is selling something then they'll post it...I don't get it...so...you selling that burger time?

 

[ReWrite]

There are just a lot of people around right now

You'd be surprised how many of them have 5 or 10+ years on here PM'ing me...

But yeah, a recession'll fix it!

And matman, that's because you're a good person.

 

[Shavenyak]

Several years ago I got a PM offering to buy my games. I was living in SD at the time. My games have been in storage in Memphis for a few years. When I replied explaining this, they offered to pay for my flight to TN handle things.

 

[Coindork]

I get PMs a couple time a year trying to buy my Ice Cold Beer.
It's alwsys that game and nothing else.

 

[SlikkNikk]

I pretty regularly get hit up for my Skydiver, Frogs, Wacko etc

 

[Brentradio]

If I had money to burn, I would try to buy your games.

And so would you.

 

[Interlock]

Is the Popeye still available?

 

[AttackPtak]

I don't see anything wrong with it. Kinda a nice way of saying, " I like your games". It's a nice form of flattery, considering all of the blood sweat and tears you had to endure to own said machine. All you have to say is "no thank you" to the person who us drooling over your prize. Another good thing is, some of you may find your ready to sell, but the price isn't right yet. Money has a good way of changing that. At the end of the day.....no one gets hurt from a little prodding and flattery.

 

[Cashdog]

I own a few rental properties, I get a few calls a week if I want to sell. Clearly these callers don't understand how capital gains and depreciation work on rental properties. No one can just sell a property without a long term plan for taxes.

Always seem to call when on with a client or in middle of time crunch.

That said it must occasionally work since they keep calling. Must work for the game guys too.

 

[gretz99]

I don't see an issue with that. If you get unwanted messages, you can just delete them. Especially with rare games, there aren't many out there. If you want one, you typically have to make an effort to get one.

If it's a common game or they aren't giving a fair offer then it's a waste of time - just delete/ignore the message.
If you have a collectible old car sitting in your driveway, I guarantee you will get people knocking on your door asking if you want to sell it.
Time is money, they are just trying to cut to the chase.

 

[Ghostlyguy]

There isn't that many repercussions for them to ask. So why not give it a try? Having stuff people want, gives you attention. Seems rather harmless.

Maybe I'd have a different opinion if I actually listed nicer games on VAPs.


...to fix this... you can change your VAPs entries to all Zaxxons, and put the actual titles of the games in the Zaxxon description. ;-)

 

[jlpmauldin]

KLOV/VAPS has a rule against this. I know some collectors don't list their games to prevent cold offers.

I get its how the world works though. I've never tried it, and no one has ever cold offered me (my games aren't rare enough to get unsolicited offers).

 

[ElectricDreamz]

is cold PM'ing someone the KLOV equivalent of cyberbullying?

 

[CBSoria]

I pretty regularly get hit up for my Skydiver, Frogs, Wacko etc

Really? So...what's up with that skydiver?

 

[bdn103]

I've had it happen a few times. What bothers me is the low ball offers that seem to go along with them..... Which is just insulting. My last two were along these lines.....

"Is that a Computer Space in the background? I've been looking for a long time. I'd offer $1500 if you can ship it to me....."

"is that a Darius Burst? Wow. Would you trade me for my really rare Big Blue cabinet running a DarkSoft multi-board? I think their value is about the same."

Brian

 

[Tufnel]

yah the punchline is that 90% percent of the time when people do that if i say "OK make an offer" they say some stupid ass price.

 

[bdn103]

yah the punchline is that 90% percent of the time when people do that if i say "OK make an offer" they say some stupid ass price.

Yeah, I think that is my issue. If you want to try something like this, make it a better then going value offer. I might consider it then.

Brian