The PERFECT Dealer
What makes a perfect dealer?
Quickly price comes to mind but let's not be too hasty. Nothing is ever as easy as it first appears to be.
A quick bit of history.
Although the Japanese pachinko game has been around for a number of years now, its popularity has blossomed in the US only within the last three or four years. This is due to several factors including more exciting play with motorized ball launch, higher payouts with fever rounds and exciting sound, color and video effects.
The importing and adapting of these games to the American home consumer market was greatly expanded when it was discovered that eBay could become the perfect sales place for these exotic games. There was and IS money to be made selling pachinko!
Several entrepreneurs and companies have tried to exploit this lucrative niche but soon discovered profit margins are directly related to keeping overhead down, increasing service capabilities and ,this is where we come in, educating the buying public to the pleasures of playing pachinko.
So what does all this mean?
Today, the number of dealers selling pachinko games on eBay is limited to about 4 major players. This decrease in numbers has led to a decline in supply and variety of games available to you and I.
The other unpleasant aspect is the increase in price on the games. In other words, we now are facing a possible control of supply of games offered and at prices that would shock most of us. That is, of course, bordering on a monopoly and we consumers can be held hostage if we are not able to control our spending habits.
What happens next?
As a reader of this forum, you have already made the most critical step in determining what the perfect pachinko dealer should be. You are educating yourself as to which dealers are honest, fair and can provide service at a reasonable price if problems arise.
A dealer who is rude, arrogant, and unwilling to resolve problems does not deserve our patronage and they will eventually wither on the vine. Equally so, those dealers who have a good reputation here, must work each day to maintain that level of respect.
Recently, we have noticed at least one dealer try to disassociate himself from our forum as he felt our members expected special consideration. The relationship between buyer and seller should be a positive one. Every good salesman recognizes the potential for repeat sales from satisfied customers.
What he is actually dealing with is the reality that informed potential buyers, such as our readers, know what to expect and that failure to state warranty policies or whether balls are included sends up a red flag to customers. (The dealer later corrected his listings and posted a somewhat negative statement regarding any additional breaks for buyers.)
This means we as buyers always hold the trump card. It is that if we don't buy, the dealer doesn't prosper.
The future looks bright for new games and bleak for good prices.
It is no secret that the 2004 games from Japan are finding their way here and the games will be even more sophisticated than ever. The market for movie themed and cartoon character games remains strong and will help dealers make lots of money because such games also attract new buyers more interested in the theme than the actual game. (Just look at the high prices realized for custom themed aftermarket modifications to many pachislo games.)
If dealers place all their purchases into these games, we pachinko game enthusiasts will miss out on many of the more challenging and popular games in Japan that may not have as broad an appeal to buyers. Sea Story is a perfect example. It is an aquatic themed game that is extremely fun to play and many articles in Japan have been written on strategies on how to play this game. If our dealers disregard this game as not worth their time because it may not appeal to as many buyers, then we lose.
What do we look for in a perfect dealer?
A perfect dealer woos not only the first time buyer but encourages the past buyers to make another purchase with special incentives for their loyalty.
A perfect dealer is pleasant, patient and quickly answers communications regarding their product.
A perfect dealer realizes that games do occasionally arrive with damage or they are inoperable. As such, return and repair policies should be clearly stated in all listings.
A perfect dealer should provide accurate descriptions and photographs of their products for sale. If the product illustrated is not the exact one a buyer may receive, then such information must be clearly stated and photographs attached to show such variations.
A perfect dealer should be willing to service what they sell. If they cannot, then an appropriate disclaimer must be stated in the listing.
A perfect dealer encourages suggestions for improvement from its customers and makes efforts to always be better than the day before.
And a reminder as to what makes a perfect customer
The perfect customer is courteous, reads the listings carefully and asks all questions about a listing well enough in advance to give the dealer time to respond.
The perfect customer understands that insurance claims vary with the shipping service and that claims may take time to resolve. Some dealers make resolution prior to a claim being processed with the insurance provider, but most have to wait along with you.
The perfect customer pays promptly.
The perfect customer understands how eBay and Paypal works and is familiar with conflict resolution procedures should problems arise.
Replies and thoughts are welcome.
Reply With Quote
"This is My Personal Opinion and no others"
