Well, if I post this maybe I will get some feedback from other similar cases and I wont feel so bad. The owner of the Virginia st. antique mall here in Reno told me of a gent that has a bennett pump for sale cheap. I contacted him and set up an appointment to see it. His beater mobile home and run down property left the impression any money now would be welcomed. He had a Bennett 541 in good sheet metal condition all four faded ad glasses in tact. The tin face plates were badly faded as well as the meter numerals yet the meter was free and zeroed out. It looked like a one time Phillips. He picked it up years ago from a storage facility,where prior to that it served all its life at a Elko Nv. gas station. He was asking $450. Anyway I told him I would go home check prices for actual replacement restoration parts (a bluff)and call back by the eve. Thinking the waiting game would be to my favor, I called him and said it would cost a lot to bring this pump to life. So I offered $300 and he said he's taking it to the dump in the morning and hung up on me! I tried three more times that nite to offer the $450 but no answer. What an ***** I was to judge peoples living conditions thinking they could be chiseld down in there price. If I ever get a deal like that again there will be no second thoughts!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I think you screwed up on that one. Me personally I would have gave him his asking price BECAUSE of his living conditions.

I doubt he'll really take it to the dump.

But, I wouldn't want to give any of my money to someone who would respond that way to simple negotiation rather than just standing firm on the price or giving a counteroffer like a normal human being.

I guess the moral of the story is that you never know when you might be dealing with a nut case.

Wes

Too bad you blew that one..That`s a nice pump at an even better price! Doubt it is at the dump. I would try having a friend contact him and pay the full asking price.

Were you the guy that offered me $2 for a can I was selling for $5!
I sat the can on ground & STOMPED it, saying NOW it's a $2 can. LOL

I had to say it but I bought the pump for $450...you knew it was worth it......so you snooze you loose....lol

news travels fast and so do you.

Don't know what's funnier ? Your story, or DB's. : )

That's rough!

Doug... Glad to see that you stop by. How've you been?

As for DB's story.... I dont negotiate. I'm not a harda$$. Its just that I make it fair. Thats all... Sorry Roger.

I wouldn't bet against the guy scrapping it. I rejected an insulting offer on a sign at a swap meet. As the guy that made the offer stepped away the next guy said he'd give me what I was asking. I said no, and gave it to him for the price the first guy offered, pr maybe less. I don't remember. The first guy was still within earshot and he was not happy!
The 541 was a bargain at $450. You should have jumped on it at that price. Instead you lost out on a nice pump because you insulted the seller with your offer.

Atta boy DB!
Some people are so intent on beating up the sellers that they forget to enjoy the hobby.
I bet you got $5 worth of enjoyment out of stomping that can.

Roger, your offer may have been "the straw that broke the camel's back". Especially if you weren't the first to "try and low ball" him. He may have had enough?

Sometimes, trying to get a better price can "bite one right on the a$$. As Bob's experience proves.

Doug, it is nice to see you posting more, my friend.

Expression on his face was PRICELESS.

I guess lesson here is if the guy is asking to much for something, you try to offer a lower price to get it reasonable. If the guy is asking a cheap price and you offer a lower price... well then that is crazy. LOL

Couple of good/funny stories here.