So I debated for a moment wheatear or not to share this particular attempted craigslist transaction, but after yesterday I figured what the hell. It's for the LOL's after all.
So per usual I was searching craigslist for anything that looked like a good deal. I live in a small town so I never expect anything, and the video game section is always flooded with current and last gen stuff. I happened upon a listing for some systems, games all misalaniaous, but the seller had listed a Sega Saturn. That interested me as I have a few games I have picked up but no system yet. The seller did not have any pictures listed, but I txt'd him in any case.
He responds saying he still had the system and was looking for $125, but states it is because he has 5 games for it. I think Okay price is inflated, but maybe the games are worth it, so I ask him to send a picture of the system, and games. Later that day he sends the pictures, and the system looks to be in good condition with a rental case which I think COOL it will match nicely with my N64 Rental case. The 5 games listed are loose, common, and uninteresting shelf ware Sega Genesis games.
Seller: "I don't have any saturn games just genesis, but the saturn plays both disk and cartridge".
I respond saying I couldn't do $125, as the system (with 2-3 games) typically ranges $65-75. I also inform him that I did not want the games, and that the games do not work for the system. He seller (wait let me type it off the cell phone). I inform him that the Saturn used the cartridge slot for extra ram not to play genesis games as he seemed to think.
Seller: "Your wrong my friend. That Saturn is hard to get and your prices are wrong. I don't need ur money. Thanks for the heads up about the games not working".
I then inform him that it's not about price or money; it's about his need to be completive. In the last two months the town has two retro game stores that opened up, and other larger retro game stores 2 hours away. I gently remind him that even on eBay his prices are largely over inflated for a system he can't even prove works unless the buyer has games. I told him I'd be willing to go as high as $85 due to it having the rental case, but that I would prefer to test the system out at one of the retro game stores (the owners are cool with that as if the sell falls though they usually buy but at an even lower price point or offer more for store credit) before we exchange money.
I even send the seller a picture of ANOTHER craigslist posting for a guy selling a Saturn complete in box with actual Saturn Games (including Nights into dreams Christmas edition and the weird controller for the game) for $70. That seller is only an hour away of which I also contacted and will most likely buy his Saturn.
Seller: "Your wrong again. Its about demand not actual value. I know a lot of people that make that mistake. You think I dont know that your gonna try your hardest to get it as cheap as possible. THanks for your efforts but im to save for that. Ill get my askign price and ill sleep good at night because ive learned that one man will pay 5 and another man will pay 50 for the same product. Its all about deman. Thanks again. Have a nice day.
I stated, look, of course I want it as cheap as possible, but I am not going to pay a premium when I can get it cheaper even WITH shipping. Feel free to find some teenager or 12 year old willing to pay prices for things they know nothing about its value. You might have a sentimental attachment or maybe like me collect gaming systems and games. It’s all good you’ll find someone to pay your price MAYBE, but you are driving away local collectors and customer’s and exhibiting a clear lack of understanding of the products you are selling.
Seller: “Wrong again. You better off not assuming you know me or how I run my business. I sell for profits much higher than most sellers and I am confident in my strategy and I have never sold to a minor directly. Trust me and take no offense. I know what im doing! Sentiment is something I have little of.
At this point I honestly broke out in tears laughing so hard. The minor comment was to much, he makes this seem like we are selling dope lol…
WELL the transaction never happened the conversation ended, but I did snap a pic or two of my shelf o games, and arcade and said “It’s cool man, but clearly you just burned bridges with part of the retro market in a town with less than 3,000 people”
I’ll post pics later form the whole thing ….
Topic: Sega Saturn Fiasco (Read 954 times)
