Well said Greg - could not agree more.
50's - 80's machines always need some work - and for a dealer - Time is Money. It is worth "stirring the market" with the older games to see if there is interest. There was interest, but most of the interest outside the "hobbyist" are for WORKING machines.
Most of the games I've seen need 50 hours work minimum - and that is a fact - from any dealer that I have bought from over the years - even the machines I "inherited"..
The only way it would ever be cost effective is if the labor is done for free... ie. A hobbyist with contacts to import the games, and someone who simply loves doing the work. At the end of the day - some decent money could be made - but at 50 hours minimum - that's a Pinball a week, so you don't want to be "cluttering up" a dealer's time when they can be working on DMDs..
Slowly, over time, I plan on collecting projects (50's - 80's) and putting them aside to restore in 3 - 5 years time. It will keep me busy in my hobby, and who knows where it could lead one day..
