Buying Safely

Red Flags to Watch For

• Pressure to use non-reversible payment methods. Scammers push for Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal Friends & Family, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These payments cannot be reversed if you get scammed. A legitimate seller will accept payment methods that offer buyer protection.
• Stolen or stock photos. If the listing photos look professionally staged, are watermarked by another site, or appear in other listings across the internet, the seller may not actually have the machine.
• Price too good to be true. A working Addams Family pinball for $800? A restored Pac-Man for $200? Unrealistically low prices are a classic lure. Check recent sold prices on other marketplaces to gauge fair value.
• Brand new account with no history. Be cautious with sellers who just created their account. Established sellers have listings history, forum posts, and community presence.
• Refuses to meet locally for large items. For items that are normally picked up in person (full-size cabinets, pinball machines), a legitimate seller should be willing to let you see the machine before paying.
• No original photos of the actual machine. Ask the seller to take a photo with a specific detail (like a piece of paper with the current date next to the machine) to confirm they have physical possession.
• Urgency and pressure. “Someone else is interested, send payment now!” Legitimate sellers give you time to do your due diligence.

How to Reverse Image Search

Reverse image searching is the fastest way to spot stolen listing photos. Here is how:

1. Right-click the listing photo and select “Copy image address” or “Save image as.”
2. Go to Google Images (images.google.com) and click the camera icon in the search bar.
3. Paste the image URL or upload the saved image.
4. Review the results. If the same photo appears on other marketplace sites, eBay listings, or personal blogs, the seller likely stole the image. Tilt & Token also automatically flags photos that match other listings on our platform.

Safe Payment Practices

• Use Tilt & Token's payment system whenever possible. Transactions processed through the platform offer a record of the agreement between buyer and seller.
• PayPal Goods & Services is a reasonable alternative for off-platform payments. The buyer protection program covers items not received or significantly not as described. Avoid PayPal Friends & Family for purchases.
• Never send payment before seeing the item for local pickup deals. Meet at the seller's location, inspect the machine, and pay only after you are satisfied.
• For shipped items, get a written agreement on condition, return policy, and shipping responsibility through Tilt & Token's messaging system before paying. This creates a record if a dispute arises.

What to Check Before Sending Money

• Seller's account age and history. Established sellers with previous listings and community activity are lower risk.
• Verification badge. Look for the Verified Seller badge, which indicates the seller completed identity verification.
• Photos and description consistency. Do the photos match the description? Are there enough photos to show the overall condition, playfield, backglass, cabinet sides, and any known issues?
• Communication quality. Does the seller answer questions directly and promptly? Are they willing to provide additional photos or details? Evasive answers are a warning sign.