Not quite what you are looking for

[Pop Bumper Pete]

We all have our lists of games that we must have
Some are looking for that game in pristine original condition
Some are looking for that game with the trashed playfield that would be ideal for that PF that has been in storage for 5 years



Then, up pops that game, but not in the condition you prefer.
Do you buy it, and keep looking, (but at least you can play the game now)?
Or do you hold off, the perfect game will come up (eventually)?

Pete

[pinballheaven]

Pete,

If it was me I'd keep looking.

Jeff

[tonyt]

If it is a desirable title and the price is fair, I would grab it. If a better one comes along then I would flick one off (which should not be hard to do if it is desirable and a fair price was paid for it in the first place). It is possible that one machine may have a better backglass for example than the other, so the better of the two could be kept.

[Strangeways]

I believe that if the game is rare, buy it and wait until a better example becomes available.  Then you can upgrade. In time, you might find repro parts become available. I'd rather HAVE that title stored away as a "worst case scenario.

I've done this with rare games such as GTB Spirit, Bally Fathom, Xenon, Stern Flight2000 and Freefall.

If a SUPER rare game appeared - such as Iron Maiden, Viper, Voltan Escapes Cosmic Doom or Williams Solar Fire - I'd just buy it and "hope" !

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I've done this with rare games such as GTB Spirit, Bally Fathom, Xenon, Stern Flight2000 and Freefall.

If a SUPER rare game appeared - such as Iron Maiden, Viper, Voltan Escapes Cosmic Doom or Williams Solar Fire - I'd just buy it and "hope" !

Xenon is considered 'Rare'?
hmmm

Nah, thinking of that Centaur

[punter]

That just happened to me today Pete,i had a stack of close up pics sent to me of a title i was after but i had to pass on it.Sometimes it is with how different people rate playfield condition to others.I was told the playfield was an 8,but after viewing pics i would rate it lower than that so i let it go.I am being sent some more pics of 2 other titles i am after next week so i hope that they are what i am after.

[Strangeways]

I've done this with rare games such as GTB Spirit, Bally Fathom, Xenon, Stern Flight2000 and Freefall.

If a SUPER rare game appeared - such as Iron Maiden, Viper, Voltan Escapes Cosmic Doom or Williams Solar Fire - I'd just buy it and "hope" !

Xenon is considered 'Rare'?
hmmm

Nah, thinking of that Centaur

Centaur is certainly not a rare game - More of them for sale than Xenon over the last 5 years. I've only seen two dealer Xenon's and they were junk.

[Retropin]

There have been 4 Centaurs in the last year or so on Ebay.. some appear then disappear due to offline offers

[Marty Machine]

Hmmmm, Not limited to pinnies but ANYTHING in the collectable/hobby world, or whatever tickles your fancy.
you should ALWAYS buy it when it pops up, i'd rather have an item in poor condish than NOT AT ALL.

IF better ones become available, you upgrade! and sell off the crappy one, simple!


People who wait for years for a pristine one means they're selling themselves out, missing out on the joys of the item for whatever reasons.

Ya Snooze, Ya Looze!

MM.

[swinks]

Hmmmm, Not limited to pinnies but ANYTHING in the collectable/hobby world, or whatever tickles your fancy.
you should ALWAYS buy it when it pops up, i'd rather have an item in poor condish than NOT AT ALL.

IF better ones become available, you upgrade! and sell off the crappy one, simple!


People who wait for years for a pristine one means they're selling themselves out, missing out on the joys of the item for whatever reasons.

Ya Snooze, Ya Looze!

MM.

Good Point

[ddstoys]

If it a title I want I just buy it regardless of condition and improve it from there.   But come to think of it I just seem to buy every machine regardless 

[pinnies4me]

For me it would depend on price somewhat - if the game is a lower price point (say sub-$2K) and I wanted the title and a poor one came up, well then I might grab that for the play time it offers now - did that with Firepower, and soon it will have a new playfield and unexpectedly become a nice one. But if I were chasing an expensive game and a reasonably priced but poor condition one came up - I'd probably hold off providing I know there's better examples around.

[Caveoftreasures]

It really depends on what satisfy's you condition wise. Some people have silly expectations and want machines that look like they just came out of the box. For 15 and 20 yr old machines, its just not going to happen most of the time.

I saw the writing on the wall 3 yrs ago when machines were very cheap and I snapped up some absolute bargains, saving probably 50 percent on alot of titles. If the machine was a 8.5 ot of 10 or better I would buy it. Sometimnes, if you hang off waiting and waiting and waiting, prices can climb up very high.
It really depends on your absolute deisire and how u rate the game.
A holy grail pin, or just one that you have always been fond of.  I like Nino's idea, buy now, and if you want a minty'er one later, upgrade, but always remember that these things are meant to be played. Are u buying a machine to play, and enjoy, or the cookie cutter pins that u never play, but just show off and say "this one owes me 10 grand". I know alot of collectors who have 5 or 6 $8,000 and 10 grand machines, and have never played them once in 3 or 4 years, and only turn them on to show them off, but no-one ever plays them. To me, its a waste. but each to their own.

I say buy a machine that is 8.5 outta ten and enjoy it yaself and share it. People will enjoy playing a pin that is 8.5 outta ten that is sitting in your house more than a 10 outta 10 machine that wont appear for a good year or two, if at all.  These things are meant to be played, not just looked at. Although both is appealing. Its more fun seeing other people share your titles. They dont care if its a 10 or a 8.5, they just love the new experience of playing a title they havent seen before.