Ok. Here's an update...
I got a call early yesterday afternoon from the son about the cues. He spoke to his father, and (I'm told by the son) at the end of their conversation, the son asked the father about the cues.
The old man wants $600 for everything (the three Predator cues,a 3x6 case, a couple of gloves and a chalk holder). So I told the son I'd try to stop down this evening (yesterday).
Well, I made it down to the pawn shop. The cues were in exactly the same spot as the day before. Right next to the Players Sneaky Pete and a Viking cue with some hippie-type artwork on it (nothing of any value) that have been sitting in the same order/spot since I've been going there.
See, when I looked at the Predator cues the very first time, I zipped the lid of the case up only as far as it needed to be to keep the cues from falling out. I zipped the case up to about halfway across the third full side. I figured that this
might be a tell in regards to whether there was interest in them from anyone else (thinking that someone else may zip the case up completely).
The son sees me, and brings me the case full of cues. He asks me if I can wait a moment while he finishes up with someone else, but to go ahead and examine the cues as much as I'd like.
I put each stick together and eyeball the straightness. Every cue looks good as far as that goes. Couple of dings and such, but nothing obscene, save for the likely needed rewrap on the 5K3 (which I did identify for certain by the 5K on the butt cap) :thumbup:
The son finishes up with the other customer, and comes over to see how I'm doing. I say everything looks pretty good, and then I ask him what his best price is on the entire setup...
He says, "$600."
"Is that your best price ?", I ask.
He tells me, "Yeah. I was looking at these online after I talked to my father. I think he's got a good number with $600 for everything."
So I (politely) went into retreat mode. "Geez, lemme think about that a bit. I know what you told me on the phone, but I didn't have that in mind as being the end price."
He says, "I completely understand, believe me. But I think $600 is more than fair."
"Ok" I say, "Let me mull it over, then". And I left. Empty handed :frown:
So now I'm trying to decide if I want to drop the $600 now and pay a bit more than I was intending to ($450-$500), or wait a month and take the chance that they are still there (in which case there may be more leverage for a deal).
Choices, choices.
As always, any thoughts, input, and advice, are appreciated...