You identified a seller that has something you want. How do you know if they are trying to scam you or if they're a legitimate seller?
Follow these rules/steps and you'll probably not get scammed. These rules apply to any purchase, not just pinball machines or parts.
Buy local and pick up. See the thing you want in person. You'll also see the condition and handle it yourself so it won't get damaged...unless you damage it!
If the seller is remote, ask for references. Who do fixes their machines? Who do they buy parts from? If they've been selling for years but none of the parts suppliers have heard of them--it's probably a scam. References should be someone you know, not someone you've never heard of. You can also use The Pinball Collector Register on our website to locate a collector local to the seller and see if they know this seller. Also check that the local collector is known by someone you know as well, such as a parts dealer or other people you know.
If the seller is remote, tell them you'll drive over there (even if it's a thousand miles away) or that you'll send a friend to pick up the game. A scammer will go silent when you threaten to actually come.
Photos and videos are easily stolen and faked. Overlaying a voice track on a video is trivial. Don't trust a video or photos as evidence the seller actually has the machine. You need other evidence.
Red Flags That Something Might Be a Scam
Free email account like yahoo.com or gmail.com -- So many legit people have gmail accounts now, that this is not a main flag, just a helpful indicator.
Foreign accent on the phone
Phone number does not match where they say they live -- Not necessarily an indicator, just a contributor because now many people buy a cell phone and move to another state.
Name is comprised to two English first names, such as William Brian, John James, or Michael Steven.
Uses poor English with odd word usage and/or spellings
Uses the term 'barrister'
Insists on cashiers check, or gift card
Inconsistent on their own information--different street addresses, misspellings
Google Maps doesn't know where they live or shows they're on a vacant lot
Uses completely different name for payment via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle
Wants money right away, has a deadline
Currently traveling
Has a 'shipper' who will pick up the machine
Doesn't allow visitors
Is a 'prince', 'captain', or other nonsense
Wants money wired -- You probably shouldn't be wiring money to anyone, especially a stranger!
Uses 'mister' with a first name. If you are Steven Jones, calls you Mr. Steven.
If you identify an ad on our website as a scam, please notify us on why you think it's a scam and we will investigate and if it's a scam we'll mark it as a scam ad.
For more information you may contact us by email, or by email form.