Jolt Country

So, I found this ad on Craigslist on Monday here in DC where a guy (or so I thought) was selling an Addams Family and Cactus Canyon pinballs for the absurd price of $1,000 each (along with another one--forgot the name). Of course, I had to write and see what was up (and possibly buy those in an INSTANT). I wrote exactly 20 minutes minutes after the ad had been posted thinking I had a good shot...and no response. Figured someone was fucking around or possibly got to it first.

THEN, today...I get an email saying THIS email. Suck!


from Katrina Olson <xxxxxxx>
to "xxxxxxx@gmail.com" <xxxxxxx>
date Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 2:36 PM
subject [RE]Addams Family Pinball game available?

If you purchased the pinball machines based on the CL ad my wife posted on Monday September 15, please keep reading. If not please delete the email and I am sorry for bothering you.

My wife posted the ad on Craig's List on Monday to sell our Addams Family and Cactus Canyon pinball machines. The price she posted was incorrect she sold them without my consent. According to my wife, the person who purchased the machines showed up at our house in Fairfax Station driving a white panel truck with a friend/co-worker, paid $4000 cash, quickly took apart the machines, loaded them into the truck and left. My wife called me in CA to tell me the, "good news," and I am enraged over this. I have tried to call you on the cell phone number you gave my wife since Monday, but it is not a valid number. I returned early from CA to try and resolve this.

You know, as well as I do, that you got the deal of a lifetime. You also know the deal was too good to be true and now I am asking that you be man enough to admit it and either bring both the machine back or pay me additional cash for the true value of the machines. If you bring the machines back, I will return the cash you paid, pay for your gas both ways, and pay you an additional $250 for your trouble. If you would like to keep the machines, I expect you to pay me an additional $8000 cash.

I bought this Cactus Canyon pinball machine new as a gift to my children and myself 10 years ago and it has been in our home ever since. My wife also gave you the receipt, the manual, and plastic bag of spare parts that came with the machine when it was new. Based on several knowledgeable people I spoke with, a HOU Cactus Canyon with the receipt, original paperwork, manuals and extra parts is worth $12,000 to $15,000. The Addams Family is also in excellent condition, so based on my discussions with the same people that machine is valued at $3500 - $4800. I am willing to accept $12,500 for both machines, so you are still getting a hell of a deal. Please respond to this email or call me at 703 xxx-xxxx, so we can make arrangements. Please don't force me to get the authorities involved in this. My wife did get the tag number from your truck.

Thanks,
Mark