An interesting topic that changes from cycle to cycle over time.
The "99 cent auctions" can be classed into two sections ;
1 - Private sellers who don't do research, or who honestly don't care what they get for the machine - they just want it gone. In some cases, they are gifted the game to start off with - so anything is a bonus.
2 - Dealers that list the games with a strategy of asking employees, lap dogs, friends and family to shill. I know because I've seen it first hand, and watched it "behind the scenes". I was even asked to do it on a number of occasions - but refused. There are private sellers that behave exactly as dealers do. Ironically, they were the ones complaining about "no more bargains" - and here they are shilling their own games and continually relisting them.
There are cases (on eBay at the moment) where individuals or companies inflate the prices to give the impression that the game is worth their asking price. Gottlieb "Raven" is rare. It is "rare" because it is crap. It is not "desirable" - it is a filler game. Private sellers bitten by dealers often list the game at the price they were sold the game for. They don't get the price, so they relist it over and over until people get so tired of seeing the game relisted that they earn notoriety. I call these auctions "The Spottem auctions". Current examples would be the 7 times nominated "Flight 2000" or the perpetual $5500 Space Invaders. The Rally "Play Boy" is quickly catching up.
Then we have the Twilight Zones listed as $8500 "fully done up". I've personally repaired several of these "done up" ebay games. In some cases, they have the same photos listed as a BIN $8500 and a 99 cent auction. So which game do you get when you win ? The old "bait and switch" - the buyer thinks he lands the bargain in the photos, when in fact he gets the basket case with minimal work. Don't laugh - it happens often and is one of the reasons we don't do repairs on dealer pins.
I personally feel that eBay ruins reputations IF the games are constantly relisted. It creates the impression that the seller cannot move stock as the prices are too high, or the workmanship (or lack of) has been exposed. There are less stories of newbies being ripped off by sellers. Forums etc have come a long way in shaping buyer's expectations. This weeds out the bad sellers in time. EBay is definitely a "window shoppers" pastime. We made a business decision that we would never be lumped into that category.
Private sellers can still sell games on eBay, and it is rare to see games constantly re listed unless they are running a hobby business, or they have become part of the "spottem syndrome".
Times have changed. Pinball collectors know about forums, they have regular meets, they attend comp nights. Pinnheads do send newbies to reputable sellers.. Collectors know they can have exceptionally restored games if they can wait and they know they are getting their money's worth.
When was the last time a High End Restoration was listed on eBay ? What percentage would the High end games be of the total listed on eBay ?
I still think the best way to sell a game is through a network of collectors, or a reputable seller or business. EBay is finished !
