How much for a reasonable FT?

[swampy76]

G'day team.....

The need for my first purchase is getting stronger!! Just wondering what you guys think would be a reasonable price for a half decent FT? I know it's a bit speculative, but on average with a half decent cabinet, and reasonable playfield, what could i expect to pay? (just trying to gauge the market).

I could probably ask the same question about a LOTR and TSPP. (granted, more dollars required).

Thanks for any advice. It begins!!!
 

[ajlaird]

I guess anywhere from $2500 to $3500 will score you something reasonable in FT terms.

[MartyJ]

MarkC sold one on here recently for $2500.  Playfield was in VGC and gameplay was perfect.  Needed decals (which are available) and a shooter and it would have been a very nice game.  From a dealer I would expect to pay $3000 to $3500.  Privately I would expect to pay somewhere between $2300 to $3300.  Cab decals suffer from fade badly on these and watch for decal wear too.

[pistolpete78]

Privately, I think $2.5k give or take....

Not your Getaway in the pic then Swampy?

[Extra Ball]

You wouldnt choose a better first pin than Fish Tales, and if you find a decent one never sell it!
I bought my 2nd one few weeks ago for 2k, but thats a bargain price really. All I needed to do was clean, adjust ramps, adjust ball kicker, adjust 2 switches, re-rubber/bulb, and find a really frustrating fault. All these repairs just took time, and little money.

Operators have told me that FT's needed very little maintenance (just less stuff on them to go wrong). If you pay 3k for a good FT you have got value for money, anything less is creeping into bargain territory. Getting one with a topper is a must, as spare toppers are very hard to find. Having said that, its still an awesome game without the topper.

[Caveoftreasures]

ken priest (www.pinballwarehouse.com.au) in qld sells em for $3900, but they are fully redecalled incl all cabinet, headbox, etc  and are usually in amazing condition.
The machines are fully shopped.You get what u pay for.If you like tinkering, look around for a bargain, but if u want warranty, and a pin ready to go, see ken in qld or mark c in melbourne.

[Extra Ball]

3900 in that condition would not be too much money in my opinion. But if you wanna try and fix-up an as-is machine, the help and advice is certainly here to do it.

[swampy76]

Thanks for all of the responses. The getaway pic was my machine a few years ago. Spent about a year refurbishing it, and I think it's a great looking game when restored to new (particularly with new decals..). But, alas, it had to make way for the house purchase....sniff sniff. Fairly simple gameplay in Getaway but I think the light and sound show during multiball and then when you collect jackpots is one of the best I've seen.

Totally agree with the fading you see on FT's. Might drop Mark a line and see what he's got....

[markc]

thanks guys

i have one in stock now  getting done up
should be done while i am away

also have a few more due in the 150 pins i have on the water .....

will put up a list when i get back