PQ: Still find CL challenging...

phrenzy

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I think I'm doin it wrong.

So I've responded to a few ads on CL. Namely, the three Galaga units that I've found within a certain distance from me listed for less than $1000.

Let me just say that I think there are two distinct schools of thought that exist in reference to game pricing.

1. This thing is super rare and so awesome OMG I just wet myself. I have no intention of actually selling I just wanted everyone that reads craigslist to know I have this awesome thing.

2. I would like to sell my Galaga for a reasonable price, but I live way outside a 150 mile radius of Dayton, Ohio.

:)

Note: I am not trying to price police, and I am genuinely interested in purchasing. Reasonable prices just seem to be elluding me. I suppose I just need to be more patient?
 
Patience and speed, grasshopper. Study the cat. The way it watches patiently as if bored and then pounces when the time is right! Such is the way of Craigslist.

Also refining your search-fu can help. Many people who use Craigslist can't spell (or type ((or both))) for shti. Having a set of search terms that take advantage of that can help you find some bargains that get overlooked. "Rcade", "Vido game", "Pinnball", "Pinbaal" and "Pin ball" are some things to add to your arsenal.

Nothing says you have to pay what they are asking either. Send them an email offering 1/2 to 2/3 of their asking price. Yo ay not ever hear from them again, but then again you just might.

ken
 
Yes, Galaga is one of the two best known games in the arcade kingdom. A nice condition working example may well sell for $1k depending on who is looking for it. Nobody here would pay that kind of scratch for one of course. But someone who just wants one will....ask any retailer.

But be ready to jump on a deal and it will eventually show up. Look for other games that you would be interested in as well....let that one hang out there for the future. It will be that much sweeter when you get it.
 
Patience and speed, grasshopper. Study the cat. The way it watches patiently as if bored and then pounces when the time is right! Such is the way of Craigslist.

ken


That was great.... and soooo true.

Here's some sample search criteria I use on CL.

arcade -xbox -xbox360 -ps2 -ps3 -wii -cd -pc
video game -chair -PSP -console -vtech -remote -xbox -xbox360 -ps2 -ps3 -wii -cd -pc
pinball -DS -playstation -PC -CD

And in my favorites, I saved the CL search for every city in a 150 mile radius. It's an addiction to check it through out the day. Damn - we need a KLOV 12 Step Program now...

OH, and one more thing... if the CL add says Rcade - expect to get a good deal since they probably don't know what they really have. Sometimes, I carry ebay or KLOV For Sale listings with me to help talk down the price. Auctions are great places too.
 
In your reply, state when you can go to pick up the game. When I sell games, I don't want to sit on them for a month and a half waiting for the guy to show up. Nothing makes me want to sell more than an "I can come by in 2 hours to pick it up. Is cash fine? Please give me an address to pick it up from. Thanks." reply.
 
CL

If you have a gmail or hotmail address. A lot of times that goes in peoples spam folder and they never see your reply. Be careful of the wording of your response. People get many emails usually for CL postings of arcade games and instead of responding in the order they receive them like they should, they pic the one that looks like the easiest sale. I have pretty good luck on Dayton Craigslist myself. I almost always get a response. If you are looking for stuff within 150 miles of Dayton, PM me with what you are looking for and I can probably help you out for a good price.
 
Subscribe to the RSS feeds that Craigslist (and any other local 'for sale' sites) provide for your searches. This make finding stuff so much easier, since you never again need to manually enter searches for all the different sites you want to check. Any new postings just pop up in your reader, so you can jump on any deals the minute they're posted.
 
Another tip is to stay away from the big name items. As you pointed out, most people can be very unreasonable with certain titles. If it is a Pacman. Ms Pacman. Galaga or it plays more than 3 games, people have this mistaken belief that because the cabinet is heavy, there is GOLD in it.

Watch for some of the lesser known titles. Occasionally, they have several that they are looking to move and will test the water with one, but if you see a Galaga sitting in the corner, just chat the guy (or gal) up and then ask about the Galaga. Several times I've walked in looking for what was in the ad and walked out with something else.

ken
 
Another tip is to stay away from the big name items. As you pointed out, most people can be very unreasonable with certain titles. If it is a Pacman. Ms Pacman. Galaga or it plays more than 3 games, people have this mistaken belief that because the cabinet is heavy, there is GOLD in it.

Watch for some of the lesser known titles. Occasionally, they have several that they are looking to move and will test the water with one, but if you see a Galaga sitting in the corner, just chat the guy (or gal) up and then ask about the Galaga. Several times I've walked in looking for what was in the ad and walked out with something else.

ken

My fav. is when a retailer has something like Galaga sitting there for a fortune, and meanwhile has a Solar Fox mini he's letting go for $300 or so...
 
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