He wants how much?!

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by AUdubon5425

I like when the ad states "only SERIOUS offers please." When you offer ten or fifteen dollars the sellers get beside themselves.

The following took place a few days ago over a late-70's off-brand console stereo (Catalina or Lloyd's)

Seller: You don't seriously think I'd let an *antique* stereo go for only five dollars.
Me: Well, the changer is stuck and one channel is out.
S: But the cabinet is worth more than that.
M: It's particle board and has water damage on top.
S: It could be easily refinished.
M: How do you refinish a vinyl decal?
S: Look, my father paid over $390 for this stereo - the receipt is right here.
M: Well, what are you looking to get for it?
S: At least a hundred dollars - the wood cabinet is worth that.
M: Well, I have heard that particle board was back in style. I would emphasize that in your ad. Good luck, lady.

I've been in this situation a few times. In my case, it's usually folks that think their broken '80's particleboard/plastic console TV's are worth a fortune because of the "fine cabinet". I remember one woman thought I'd give her a ton of money for such a set, even after her kid shot the CRT face with a BB gun. She really had it in her head that someone would give her a good price just for the "fine cabinet". About six months later, she called and was begging me to come haul the set off. I stuck a used CRT in it and sold it.

I also remember going to a yard sale where a woman had a cheap '70's Soundesign console stereo in her hot storage building. She was determined to get $50 for it. It was not plugged in; but, I could tell the plastic BSR changer was frozen. When I brought that to her attention, she said "it has to be plugged in and turned on to spin". I tried to explain to her that the changer platter should spin freely by hand. I just finally left it alone. No sense in trying to reason with a know it all idiot. What I should have done was said something like, "OK, plug it in. If everything on this stereo properly works, I'll give you twice the amount you want for it".