Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace (
More info?)
I normally don't reply to threads like this, but you asked....
Your games are overpriced for the condition they're in. Nobody is going to
pay $450 for a Pole Position with broken cab corners, a short in the sound,
cigarette burns, and scratches, a flaking bezel, and shoddy cab repair work.
$250 maybe. The website where your pics are hosted is slow and time
consuming to use. You should've just taken better pics and hosted them
through E-bay instead of trying to save $$$ hosting them offsite. People
don't like to hassle with jumping through hoops to see your items. You also
offer no real help in shipping the games other than stating you'll be there
when the shipper shows up. You can't crate? You won't even bother to wrap
and strap to a pallet? Those things combined pretty much turn 99% of the
real buyers away. The remaining 1% only buy if they're either really looking
for that game or it's really cheap.
The Gaplus is a broken, water damaged project that you've got a $400 price
on. Again, too high of a price. Also, most people don't want games with
water damage. Why should they go through all the expense of either having it
shipped or driving over to pick it up when they can just hold out for a much
better game for a little more cash? The marquee is also totally shot and
thats the single hardest piece to find for that game. You know the condition
of the games better than anyone here. Be honest. Would YOU pay $400 +
shipping for that Gaplus? That Gaplus is more like a $100 game only if
somebody wanted to take that project on.
Your Burgertime add pretty much kills that auction. Why would I or anybody
else pay $650 for your game when you admit to having a better one that your
keeping? That already makes me feel like I'm buying 2nd rate stuff. You
already admit that there's better ones out there, then ask why would you
spend the money on an awesome one instead of buying your average one? Well,
because in the collecting market, condition is everything. Most people buy
multi games now. Anybody looking to buy a dedicated game is looking to get
one in as good a condition as possible. People that buy games in average
condition typically do so because they're looking for a good deal. $650 is
not a good deal. $450 is more of a good deal for that game.
$400 for a water damaged Asteroids Deluxe? I've seen near mint ones go for
$500. Again, why would I or anybody else want to spend $400 + shipping on a
water damaged problem game that will require completely gutting it and
transferring all of the components into a better cab? Where is the average
person going to get a better cabinet anyway? Usually, a better cabinet
already has a working game in it anyway. Even if the better game does not
work, it's still a hell of a lot cheaper to simply fix it instead of buying
yours. That AD is worth about $200 parted out.
To sum it up....
1) Your prices are way too high for the condition the equipment is in.
2) Your ads have poor pics.
3) The picture service that hosts the other pics is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too
slow.
4) You don't offer any real help in shipping.
5) Most average people don't have the time, skill, or parts needed to take
your projects and make games out of them.
6) Collectors that do have the time, skill, and parts already either have
those games or know where to get much better ones for a lot less $$$.
7) It's simply all too easy for anybody to click on another ad to find the
same game for either the same $$$ your asking or less in much better
condition.
This is not a flame. It's the reality of your situation as I see it. Just my
opinion that you asked for.
Brian
"mudmantim" <mudmantim@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1116022924.024325.194210@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Why is it that I can only sell cheap stuff on eBay? When ever I list a
> game I get a lot of watchers, but barely any bidders. Like right now,
> I have 22 people watching the Spy Hunter project, 12 people watching
> the Pole Position, etc.
>
> I don't want crazy prices, reserves may be a little high compared to
> some guys selling the same game with no reserve, but I can't do that.
> My reserves are usually what I have into the games, or what they might
> be worth parted out.
>
> Maybe I should just part them all out and sell just the parts. Seems a
> shame, but may just have to do that.
>
> Here's what I got at the moment:
>
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmudmantim
>
> Nothing is really special, the Burgertime and Pole Position work great
> though.
>
> Is there some sort of secret to it, subliminal messages in other ads,
> do I not have enough feedback, what gives?
> -Tim
>