The definition of a "Collector" is someone who has multiple machines, not just one that is functioning. I own a working bike, but I have no interest in collecting them. A collector is someone who could own all the Gottliebs from 1975-1980. That person actively "collects" games Working or not. A person who has one working game is an "owner".
I'd say there would be around 5000 pinball owners in Australia. Easily 10,000 games have been imported over the last 10-12 years.
I'd estimate only 200-300 would be collectors. Most collectors I know don't have an online presence.
A Collector is someone who ACTIVELY COLLECTS, based on a particular brand, style, age group etc....they search to complete the set of a certain requirement, like collecting only woodrails, or only bally's, or only space-themed games etc etc.
Having 20 pinnies (or even 500) doesn't make someone a collector as such, they simply have those machines coz theyre fun to play or hold childhood memories etc....
At 1 stage i had 14 pins which is a lot more than most people, but i still wasnt a collector, i was an enthusiast/owner and that's all it is.....only 2-3 years later i sold most of them, which is something collectors & hoarders simply can't do.
I welcome anyone to research the psychology of collecting and find that there are BIG differences between owners, collectors and hoarders. But too many people continue to blur the definitions by sheer misunderstanding of the terms.
p.s. i've been studying it myself for several years based on other interests outside of pinny's
Anyhoo.....
