Emailing CL for arcade games

AppleAmusements

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I'm really new not only to trying to get a machine but also Craig's List. The address listed in the ads which is <some wacky combination of characters>@ Craigslist.org is the address you use to email people right? Only reason I ask is because I must have sent out 50 messages only asking of machines were still available for the most part and not offers and not one person has responded. I know I am connected to the net obviously and I use Hotmail so it cant be a mail problem (well unlikely anyway) especially since I got other messages in the meantime.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with people via CL? I hate to make offers because from what I have seen about 90% of people are delusional when it comes to pricing. In a few instances a few days ago I tried to mention various sales of their machines and what people paid but some folks are still insisting their broken Ghosts and Goblins is worth $500 which a few of you guys emailed me was pretty silly to ask for. I don't want to take advantage of anyone but I'm not gonna be a sucker either.

Thanks for all your help by the way to the people kind enough to send responses to my amateur questions it has been really helpful! This is a terrific resource and I'm having fun at least!
 
Yes that is the address you use for email unless otherwise specified. As far as pricing machines on craigslist there was a thread made about that a few days ago, which referenced a thread made about it a few months prior back. Both threads had great info. I'll look to find them & post for you.
 
I have tried to sell games on CL and if I get an email that says something like "is the item still for sale" or "does you have game still sale" or "i want u gameis it still forsale".
I usually ignore them. No punctuation, bad sentence structure, and lack of specificity are clues that its either spam or the deal is going to suck.

When I reply to adds, I always type it just like I was sending a real letter to a friend. Example.......

Hi,

I'm interested in the (name of game) you are selling. I live in (town you live in) and would love to see it in person. Please contact me if its still for sale. (leave your phone number or email) Thanks, (your name)

This lets the seller know that the odds are you are a real person and really interested in the game they are selling.
 
Make an offer. Say you can pick the game up asap and specify that you have cash. Make sure to leave a phone number so they can call you. If there is a phone number then call rather than emailing. There are too many flakes on CL so you have to convince the seller you are serious, want the item and will make it a priority to get the item. Finally you need to actually follow through and pick up the game asap if you say you will. Only email when there is no phone number or you really don't want the game that bad and are going for the long shot that no one wants the game so you might get it due to lack of interest.
 
As mentioned by others:

1. If they have a phone # call it rather than emailing.

2. When emailing someone be specific about mentioning the game in the ad and even asking a question about the game or it's condition.

3. You can always ask if they can go any lower on the price.

I sell a lot of machines on CL and any emails I get with "is the item still available" I ignore and do not respond to. If there is nothing in the email specific to my ad then I have found that 99% of the time it is spammer/scammer/phisher just trying to get my real email address.
 
I'm really new not only to trying to get a machine but also Craig's List. The address listed in the ads which is <some wacky combination of characters>@ Craigslist.org is the address you use to email people right? Only reason I ask is because I must have sent out 50 messages only asking of machines were still available for the most part and not offers and not one person has responded. I know I am connected to the net obviously and I use Hotmail so it cant be a mail problem (well unlikely anyway) especially since I got other messages in the meantime.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with people via CL? I hate to make offers because from what I have seen about 90% of people are delusional when it comes to pricing. In a few instances a few days ago I tried to mention various sales of their machines and what people paid but some folks are still insisting their broken Ghosts and Goblins is worth $500 which a few of you guys emailed me was pretty silly to ask for. I don't want to take advantage of anyone but I'm not gonna be a sucker either.

Thanks for all your help by the way to the people kind enough to send responses to my amateur questions it has been really helpful! This is a terrific resource and I'm having fun at least!

Actually, it CAN be a mail problem (I don't know that it is), because hotmail accounts are easily obtained, various miscreants use them frequently and it's not unusual for all of hotmail to get temporarily blacklisted by some ISPs. This is usually resolved quickly and doesn't happen that often anymore, but it does happen from time to time.

As to delusional pricing people - don't waste too much time talking to them. Make a reasonable offer, and if they won't budge, just move on. You bringing up the prices of sales you know about is going to have exactly zero weight with these folks because they have no idea if you are just making shit up.

You CAN NOT talk a delusional pricing person into a reasonable price. The BEST you can do is to make them a fair offer and walk away when they won't go for it. Remember, these are the folks who think that retail prices for fully restored machines with in-home service warranties should apply to their Ms. Pac with the cig burns on the CPO and the bad joystick.
 
Welcome to Craigslist, it happens to the best of us.

I would guess only about 50% of the emails I send to people get replies. It is not a big deal, some posts are fakes, some people sell it right away and never take down the ad, etc.

If you are getting no replies at all, my guess is that it is your approach. Robotron's sample reply above is great - keep it short and simple. If you send people a long message, many people won't even read it or will think you are a weirdo, and there are lots of weirdos on CL.

I might add something like 'I have a truck & dolly, and can move the game myself' to the reply. Show the seller you are not going to waste their time -- they likely just want to be rid of the game, albeit at a fair price.
 
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