I hate liars

robgest

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Talked with a guy on Tuesday about a Donkey Kong. He is about an hour and a half away from me so I thought why not take a look. This guy told me more than once that the game was in REAL GOOD SHAPE and that he was told by another person that he was asking to way to little for the game ($400.00) and it should sell quick. Well I went to look at it this morning and when I got to the place first thing I saw was no side art. When I got in front of it the thing wasn't in horrible shape but T molding was all broke up, the cab needed work, the coin door had been drilled out with a free play button sticking out, he had no keys and told me that would be my problem now, and all the other stickers were screwed up. So, I already know I have work ahead of me and don't know what the inside looks like. So I offer the guy $300.00 for it (thought I was being nice) and he flat out told me "I'm not here to deal"
What do you all think? Did I screw up or do the right thing.
 
It basically boils down to whether or not this is a game you really wanted. If he's not budging on the price, not much more you can do. Never know though, he may call you back if it doesn't sell.
 
Yes, you screwed up by offering him $300 for it. You should have pointed out the flaws, and told him the cost of repairing the flaws. Then you should have said, I am not really interested in another project that is going to consume a lot of time to fix.

At that point he most likely would have made you an offer, or maybe even asked you what you would pay for it.

When you run into a Douche like that, you have to play the game.
 
I would've said "Thanks for your time" and walked the other direction.
 
Yes, you screwed up by offering him $300 for it. You should have pointed out the flaws, and told him the cost of repairing the flaws. Then you should have said, I am not really interested in another project that is going to consume a lot of time to fix.

At that point he most likely would have made you an offer, or maybe even asked you what you would pay for it.
+1

You always have to point out how much it's going to cost you to fix and keep saying "I don't know, I was expecting it to be in better shape." Then ask him what the lowest he's willing to take. Point out some more flaws and offer him a lower price. Got a guy down to less than a third of his asking price like this one time. I feel I got him down to a more realistic price as the cab really did need a TON of work.
 
Here's something you could've asked the seller:

"Would you buy a refridgerator without opening the doors first?"
 
If and when he contacts you later, tell him he has to deliver it to you.

I got mine with no side art in pretty good shape recently for only $250, but I got lucky! $400 is about right for a really good condition DK, but not what you described.
 
Well, what I typically see people call "a TON of work" is usually all stuff that can be fixed in an afternoon. To me, if bondo and paint (plus time for sanding, drying, etc) isn't involved, then it's not a lot of work.

That being said, I wouldn't expect $400 for the condition you described. Really nice DK's sometimes go for $700+. I wouldn't be surprised to get a working Dk with no side art and some other issues for $250-300. $400 is a little high for that condition...
 
You failed yourself by not doing the research. Countless threads exist on getting pics being mandatory anymore. Consider it a life lesson, learn from it and move on. It's not like these are rare by any means.
 
Yes, seeing pics is a must. And when the seller said "I'm not here to deal" it was over.

Next time just happen to have a pic of "new" restored game in case you have to convince the seller what one is supposed to look like. A lot of people only see these games occasionally in the wild, and they base their perception of condition on what they've seen as being normal or in "good" condition.

Did the game even work?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
I'd never take a drive like that to take a look at a game without seeing pictures of it first. I would have asked him to give you some money for gas for wasting your time trying to sell you crap.

What do you expect people to ask for mediocre games after seeing all the Craigslist and general reseller ads for hundreds and hundreds of dollars?

The number X95 or X99 sticks in my head...

These uninformed sellers think they're giving you a bargain by offering up a game they've SEEN on Craigslist for $795. HALF the price- holy cow- how can you talk them down any MORE?

Some pictures may have worked here. 1.5 hours isn't killer. Just a little joy ride and he came back with a nice story. Who knows? The guy may deal later on.

That reminds me- let me go recall that guy I talked to last month and see if he'll take $300 for that Ms Pac now....

Oh- by the way. Don't ask me for gas money if you come down here and think I've misrepresented anything....
 
Thats what I did. The guy thought he was sitting on gold. LOL

That is exactly why you have to prove to him that it is a TURD, and that he has wasted your time.

I have started taking a picture of a nice looking machine (usually off the restoration forum or the flyer archive) and when they say it is nice condition, I pull the picture out and say, "No, this is a nice machine that might be worth $XXX". Yours is a project machine that will cost a lot of money and time to make it even decent. Call me when you are done having people come over and laughing.".

Actually, I've never had to pull the picture out. I usually point out the problems, usually t-molding, video issues, nicks and dings, sideart and coin doors. I'll tell them that it can be fixed but it costs time & money. One person refused to listen. His Craigslist ad is now at $250 (from $800) a year later. The other two thought about it and said they would wait for a better offer. I heard from one that took my offer the other must have gotten a better offer.

ken
 
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