The way I look at it , your biggest problem is that you cannot inspect the game before you buy it
To me this is the most important issue, no matter if you are importing or buying local.

If I cannot inspect before buying I am not interested
I have been burnt too many times

Well, I definitely cant do a container by myself, that's for sure(I don't have that sort of cash floating about)
This is why I started the thread in the first place.

From my home work I've found a supplier that will ship as little as 6 machines.
So I worked out what that 6 would cost landed (roughly) and that worked out to my maxed budget.
For the that amount of dough I'd be hoping that not much was wrong with them.
Would be hoping to spend less then $500 for parts on each for what ever they needed, otherwise it would be the same as buying them here.

With only 6 machines there's no real buying power.
If the order was 20 machines, then I think there would be some buying power and will be able to barter with them.
Also works out cheaper for freight per pin.

This was just 1 supplier, so there's probably better suppliers out there and maybe cheaper prices ?