At this point I'm aware of the following general rules:
I've been on a fair share of raids. Based on my own experience, my thoughts on the rules you've got so far:
- Bring a Flashlight - ABSOLUTELY, bring 2 if you have an extra.
- Long Extension Cord - Never. No way. The op will be insulted and all it will do is raise prices when it confirms the game works. He was already basing his price on that it didn't work (even if he told you it did). You test it and it works, you just cost yourself a $100 or more.
- Limit Visit To 15-20 Minutes - I don't find this to be the case at all. The majority of ops raids I've been on, I've spent hours. Many hours. 4 hours would be a short one. Getting the op to agree to let you in, that's tough. But I've found, once you get in, they've never seemed to mind the time. Most likely they were there working anyhow and were not put out with having to be there as they would have been anyhow.
- Bring A Notepad - yes, especially if you start getting into parts.
- Bring Camera - I heard some people say no, but I normally bring one. I ALWAYS make sure to ask the op if he minds if I take pictures though. If he says no pictures, I respect that. I can only think of 1 or 2 ops that said no though.
- Don't trash talk the games - generally good advice. Normally I don't say anything about condition at all. We're both looking at exactly the same thing. Usually there's no comment from either he or me on the condition.
- Don't mention the word 'cheap' - true, but don't be afraid to haggle either.
- Bring Money! - ABSOLUTELY, CASH, CASH, and ONLY CASH.
- Bring Truck! - helpful but not totally necessary. On a first visit, I have very rarely brought one, especially if would be a long drive to get there. If you make a good impression on the op, and make him a fair deal, he'll let you come back.
- Bring Dolly! - not really. While it's a good thing to say you'll move the games, he doesn't need to lift a finger, the ops all have dollys/hand trucks, I have never met one yet that had a problem letting me use them. But many have appreciated that I didn't ask them to have them help move them.
- Be prepared to buy as-is. - Goes without question. For futher info see my comment on the extension cords.
- Money talks, but keep some of it hidden just in case you can't make a deal. - of course.
- Make sure you're paying a fair price. If the machine is too spendy, you don't have to buy it. - true, sometimes (often) you need to take multiples to get a fair price overall.
- Always be polite when negotiating. It may lower your price both on this deal and future purchases. - absolutely. Even if they're grumpy and crabby (as many ops are).
- If possible, buy in bulk. You will pay less per unit and get more salvageable parts to pay for the cabs you actually want to keep - true. Especially on parts. Ops generally have given me better prices on "piles of parts" than a whole game anytime.
Just my thoughts, your mileage may vary.
