Oh dear, I may have to figure out how I can secure that machine I have my name on then before inflation strikes....or am I too late. 
Good point about Clay's guides. The guy that came to repair my first machine had a full print out of the 'Pinball Bible'.
I think there was a time when techs kept info to themselves whereas now with the internet and forums, most are happy to share tips and tricks and impart their knowledge onto anyone interested. This is going to be the saviour of the hobby in many ways I think. There are still regular comments about the quality of our forum/s and the willingness to help each other out.
You have created your own monster as well Nino with guys asking for quality machines. Your name stuck in my head many moons ago when I saw the quality of your work on Jacks Open. Now guys can see what can be achieved and want nice machines which in turn means there is a demand for parts and so the cycle continues.......it's all good.
I think the general level and standard of restoration work in Australia has grown significantly during the last five years. We now match the level in the USA - exceptions being only a handful (Christopher Hutchens cannot be equaled). If someone told me five years ago that there would be internet sites specializing in restoration, I would have laughed myself stupid. There so many talented people out there. The hobby is well and truly thriving.
If the reward for restoring every machine to the same level as Jacks Open was possible, I'd do it "full time". Trust me, five years ago, I would have laughed. I'm giving it some SERIOUS thought.
Mmmm I don't know about this one. I thought prices seem to be coming down lately. Expensive pins (I thought) don't seem to be getting sold. There's been a fair few SS's on Ebay lately that i thought were pretty good value, and still no interest (although some weren't in the best nick). Maybe i'm wrong but my reaction lately to pin sales has been 'i guess no-one has money right now, wrong time of year'. 
Ebay lataley-
Centaur (GREAT nick) - $2200
Galaxy (very, very decent) - $800
Seawitch - $1000 (looked clean) - (1 bidder!)
Dracula x2 $1000 each (back glasses a bit rough) - no bidders
There's more i can't remember right now.
Also on Ebay some desirable SS's that are coming down in price because no one is buying them. Could be in my head .
PinballShed had some great SS's in VERY good nick and they sold for shit.
You are correct, but you need to "dig" a bit deeper.
Centaur - An absolute crapper sold 4 years ago for $5400 - The next went up quickly for $4500 (I think). Now they sit at their TRUE value - $1800 to $2400 depending on condition.
Galaxy - Was offered $2200 for mine, But I sold it cheaper to Creech. That's not on eBay
Meteor - Was offerred $2400 for mine - Seen them go in working condition for $800
Seawitch - a rarer game and I was surprised
Dracula - Honestly - Not a desirable machine - $1000 - $1300 is it's price range. A machine like Mitch's would EASILY go for $1800 +
With all due respect to Dealers, they would go broke if they tried to price machines AFTER 50 hours of detailed work was done on them. Mark and I have discussed this MANY times before. It is just not possible from their perspective.
Personally - I don't have a requirement to sell on eBay, but if I did - you would see the prices increase as my machines get the "full treatment". If other members put their immaculate machines up on eBay, the same would happen. Owners with machines in great condition are rarely sold on eBay. It is not an indication of the true value.
I could sell my Paragon to a collector tomorrow for $3500 (No - it ain't going to happen. Yet The most I've seen on eBay was Wotto's - $2300)
But I will sell one of my full restorations on eBay maybe this year - just to see if the market still wants to pay for restored machines
