About to make an offer on a Ms. Pac-Man and a Toobin' - some help?

[Jeff AMN]

If anybody has followed my posting habits, they'd know I really want to get a Ms. Pac-Man. I finally tracked down a "for sale" Ms. Pac-Man and he wants me to make the first offer. I don't want to shoot too low to start things out, but I don't want to slit my own throat and come in too high. What's a good, fair, starting bid for a Ms. Pac-Man described as such:

Ms Pac Man has a new marquee, monitor, new board, its been cleaned and its in very good condition.  I have found a place on line that you can get new grapics for the sides and and the front.  I have also bought a new joystick, just because i got a killer deal on Ebay. Don't forget these machines are older the cabinets have wear and tear, but no major cabinet damage. If you invest the 300 for the graphics you will be amazed how the machine will look like its brand new.

The Toobin' is described simply as:
 
Toobin, was also cleaned new monitor, and its a really fun game.


I kind of get the feeling from him that if I offer him too low of a price to stat that he's going to blow me off and that will be that. He's been pretty tentative on the sale as it is, so I want to get it right. On the other hand, I definitely don't want to pay too much out of impatience. I'd like both, but the Ms. Pac-Man is my priority here.

[shardian]

The way he is emphasizing the new internals, the cabinet must be in horrid shape. I'd also verify the "new" monitor claim. Just because a different monitor has been put in does not make it new. It is hard to make an offer without actually seeing the machines, so in the range of $250 would not be a bad sight unseen offer. Offering him around $400 for both would be a generous offer IMO.

[knave]

I think $400 is too high.  I think a working but "needs work" game is worth about $150.  I'd definatly ask for picts and based on them offer in the range of $300 to $350 for both.  The extra $50 being just because you want it real bad.

If he can't provide picts I'd drop it to $250 to $275.  Unless it's real close and you can go check them out first. (in that case I'd bring $350 cash, check out the cabs and offer him ~$250 and go from there. Cash under the sellers nose works wonders...)

[Jeff AMN]

Ok, the guy is a little bit off. He's thinking since he paid $250 to have it shipped to him that it should be rolled into the price. Ugh...he won't go below $550 for just the Ms. Pac-Man and it needs work.

Somebody stop me or my impatience will win out.

[stuckpixel]

$550 for a ms pacman that needs work is a bad deal.

Don't do it, something better will come along.

[shorthair]

Don't buy it, anyway. His shipping is not your cost.

[Jeff AMN]

Don't buy it, anyway. His shipping is not your cost.

I told him I'd have to "think about it." Basically, I'll come back with a $350 final offer a couple of days from now. I clarified that the monitor is a refurb, but it's in tip top shape.

EDIT:

Here's a pic. It's hard to tell, but it doesn't look half bad.

[shardian]

I told him I'd have to "think about it." Basically, I'll come back with a $350 final offer a couple of days from now. I clarified that the monitor is a refurb, but it's in tip top shape.

Still, refurb is not new. What about the "new" boards? If all that needs to be done to have a perfectly working Ms. Pac is sideart then it could be a good investment. Personally, I would prefer brand new or fully shopped components over a mint cabinet any day.

Either way, it is obvious this guy does not want to deal. Sometimes it is best to just walk away- no matter how bad you want something. Go ahead and give him your final offer, and include a "if you change your mind the offer stands" comment.

[2PacMan]

I may be in the minority, but if you want it bad enough, i'd just get it.  Offer him 500.00 and he'll bite.  It's only money.  Sure, this time around you might not get a 'deal', and you might even be paying more than it's worth, but so what?  It's a game you really want, and i'm sure you'll come across another game that you'll get a 'steal' on, and then that'll make up for this one.  In some parts of the U.S., Ms. Pac's don't just fall out of the sky.  I bought mine for alot, and i've only seen two other ones for sale around here since I bought mine 3 years ago.

[CheffoJeffo]

While I am typically thrifty about cabinets, I am happy to pay more for a cabinet that I really want (e.g. I paid more for my Joust cocktail than anybopdy else in the region was willing to pay ... but it is all mine and I love it).

If you really want a MsPac and his is working, then pay what you are willing to pay and enjoy the cabinet -- there is plenty of time to bargain hunt with cabs that aren't on your "must have" list.

Good luck!

Cheers

[WunderCade]

So, did you get the Ms. Pac. or not? We really would like to know.

[vintagegamer]

Keep in mind the new monitor is usually 3 bills by itself..  I think $400 would be fair, but I would stop there.  They aren't THAT rare (and yes, I know you're saying "but you already HAVE ONE VG..")- like others said, don't get sucked into the fact that he made a poor move paying ridiculous shipping charges.

VG

[WunderCade]

I agree. I was in your situation, wanted a Ms Pac soo bad, but none ever seemed to be available in my area.

About a month ago I found one on eBay and it was in Sacramento - 120 miles away. I watched it feverishly but was outbid at the very last minute. I beat myself up over that "loss" wishing I would've bid higher,  .

Then about 2 weeks go by and I decided to browse Craigslist wuddyaknow, there it was - a nice MS. Pac for 100.00 only 12 miles away from my house.

Patience is a tough muthu-#$%#, but sometimes it pays off.