people and unrealistic prices

chuchunesme

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I was chatting with an employee of one of my customers today and we got to talking about video games. He mentioned that he had a MK2 in his garage that might be for sale. I'm not the biggest fighting game fan but this would be a cool to have sitting in my garage if I can get a good deal. He purchased it for his son and the kid is tired of it so on one touches it anymore. I asked him how much and he told me $2500! I know the guy well enough to tell him he's f'ing crazy asking that kind of money. He told me how they sell for more online and are all over eBay for way more than that so i pulled out my phone and did a search. I showed him the results proving he was f'ing crazy. He told me that he paid more than that 2 years ago so he'll hold on to it till its a "classic like Pacman" and he can make his money back. So it'll just sit in his garage rotting away till he finally gets tired of it and throws it on Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks and I'll miss out on the deal. I just don't understand what drives these people to do this.
 
tell him to subtract the $3000 worth of quarters he DIDN'T have to drop in there and that you will haul it away if he gives you $500. :)
 
you would have to play the game every single day for the next 13 years to come close to breaking even. seriously, i did the math.

$2500 = 10k quarters

2 quarters per game

5000 (games) / 365 (days in a year) = 13.6986301 (years)
 
You see, this hobby is filled to the brim with unrealistic motherfuckers. Motherfuckers who thought their games would age like wine. If you mean it turns to vinegar, it does. If you mean it gets more valuable with age, it don't.
 
He told me that he paid more than that 2 years ago

This is where the problem usually lies.

My answer to this when trying to buy a game is always the same: "Totally understand. Thanks for your time." *walk*

so he'll hold on to it till its a "classic like Pacman"

This is either a butthurt reactionary response, or he really believes this - which means he's an idiot. :D
 
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You see, this hobby is filled to the brim with unrealistic motherfuckers. Motherfuckers who thought their games would age like wine. If you mean it turns to vinegar, it does. If you mean it gets more valuable with age, it don't.

That's pride F'ing wit you.
 
I recently looked at a dead, beat up Tempest. I made my offer and the seller says "I was thinking $800, they sell on Ebay for $3000+" I say good luck on your sale and walk.
 
If you mean it gets more valuable with age, it don't.

Some of these games will. When I see young people in their early twenties look at my machines and say, "Oh my god, how cool! I want one!", that means there's a market beyond my generation. Many purchases are emotional; if they're feeling it, certain games will hold or increase their value.

I recently looked at a dead, beat up Tempest. I made my offer and the seller says "I was thinking $800, they sell on Ebay for $3000+" I say good luck on your sale and walk.

I'd respond with, "Show me one that's sold for $3000+, and I'll buy yours for $5k".
 
As it's been said, I think a lot can have to do with someone overpaying for a game when they bought it and they don't want to take a loss or refuse to believe it's worth less. Nothing wrong with trying to show them their game really isn't worth that much, but some people would rather just let a game rot before taking any kind of loss on it. Once in a blue moon someone might get lucky and find another buyer who does the same eBay research and thinks they're getting a deal or paying a fair price.
 
There's always that crushed look on their face when you have to tell them that pacman is not fine wine and not worth all that much.

I'm an avid sports card collector, mostly baseball. There are countless people who purchased the mass produced cards of the late 80's and early 90's as investments. They are crushed to learn their collection or investment is basically worthless....in many instances you can't give the stuff away.

It happens countless times during any given month. I feel bad, even more so with the down economy and people are in need of cash only to learn their cards are worthless.
 
As it's been said, I think a lot can have to do with someone overpaying for a game when they bought it and they don't want to take a loss or refuse to believe it's worth less. Nothing wrong with trying to show them their game really isn't worth that much, but some people would rather just let a game rot before taking any kind of loss on it. Once in a blue moon someone might get lucky and find another buyer who does the same eBay research and thinks they're getting a deal or paying a fair price.

People like this don't make much money on anything. They're always holding out for the best deal until what they've got is ultimately worthless, except in their own eyes because they still have a physical possession (which they aren't using anyway).

How many wealthy people can you think of who are unwilling to take a profit on something when the opportunity strikes, or accept a (relatively) small loss and move on?
 
I'm an avid sports card collector, mostly baseball. There are countless people who purchased the mass produced cards of the late 80's and early 90's as investments. They are crushed to learn their collection or investment is basically worthless....in many instances you can't give the stuff away.

It happens countless times during any given month. I feel bad, even more so with the down economy and people are in need of cash only to learn their cards are worthless.

This was always a sad thing to see but you could see it comming a mile away. They put to much product out there and killed the prices. I still have a huge football card collection but its all old stuff....50's - 80's. Wish i still collected right now cause im sure I could get some great deals out there right now.
 
And did you tell him how much Pacs are going for?!? Ive seen from $100-$600 in my area.

By that point I knew it was a lost cause. He's one of those people that won't look at the average prices these go for but will hunt till he finds ONE thats seriously overpriced and point to it to justify his retarded price. I'm not one to sit there and try to convince a seller that they are retarded, since they are retarded most of the time its pointless. I'll give it a little effort, then move on. The frustration just isn't worth it in my opinion.
 
He told me that he paid more than that 2 years ago so he'll hold on to it till its a "classic like Pacman" and he can make his money back.

I's ask him to show you a receipt, and to call the place he bought it from and sell it back...
 
Yes his asking price is crazy lol

You know what else is crazy? How much was a MKII cab brand new if you were an OP back in the day? I'm guessing maybe around his asking price.

now.... $200-$600 depending on area and condition.
 
Well, they do can and do sell for that much...he's the proof!!!

I guess if they throw the word "vintage" and "classic" in then its totally worth it. Who knows, he may come up to me out of the blue with a realistic price but I won't hold my breath. It's not like it's a must have for me, I'd be upset if it was a Tron or Star Wars.
 
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