Sourcing EM machines

[scozza]

Hi All,

I'm working on building up my collection of EMs but have a bit of a hurdle as I live in the country about 3 1/2 hours from Melbourne.  I have done a couple of "wanted to buy" ads in the local paper with no results.  eBay has a few listed but they are generally fully shopped and asking silly prices.  Part of the hobby for me is the restoration of the machine so I'm happy with non-working machines in need of TLC.  So down to the question, how do you guys go about sourcing new machines for your collections?  I have a couple of dealers who know what I'm looking for but I need to explore other options.

Cheers,

Scott.

[Strangeways]

eBay is a good start, and you will find the odd bargain. Don't rush into buying games as once you have your first project, you can work on that game while still keeping an eye out.  The "wanted to buy" ads will work, you just need a bit of luck and patience.

The dealer "reconditioned" machines are priced "in the hope" that a newbie does not do their homework and buys on impulse. Years ago, dealers didn't go near EMs "Too hard to find a good tech", "can't get parts for them", "unreliable". Some dealers sell projects, best you wait for them to hit eBay.

Sometime it is just luck - it is a buyer's market at the moment, so the harder you work, the more deals will present themselves.

[Homepin]

You do need to work at it. Keep the ad running in the local rag and in the papers in the towns close to you.

Also don't dismiss thinks like the notice board in the main street or in the shopping centre - I have spotted some interesting stuff there (no pins yet though).

Garage sales can turn up things sometimes???

Good luck with it.

[MartyJ]

You do need to work at it. Keep the ad running in the local rag and in the papers in the towns close to you.

Also don't dismiss thinks like the notice board in the main street or in the shopping centre - I have spotted some interesting stuff there (no pins yet though).

Garage sales can turn up things sometimes???

Good luck with it.

+1 on the Garage sales....I don't want to go down that path as I'll be going to every one and will send me mad!

I think there was a member here who picked up a Flash at a garage sale for $40.00?

[Homepin]

yes, there is also a member who bought an indy jones at a garage sale for $200 

[robm]

I've got one in my shed you can have for $80...oh hang on, that Homepin's that been sitting here for the last 3 months

Yep i managed to pick up a Flash at a garage sale for $40 (powered up but not working, reseating the connectors sorted that out), pinball machine was listed in the ad, so i was there like a 'Flash' - it was my 1st one, and i knew nothing about them, and the guys on here helped me get it going, was the start of a collection that is now ever growing!

I also managed to pick up an Indiana Jones from a wanted ad i placed for $300 (Homepin may have been a bit adventurous with his $200 - or it could be someone else as well).  The guy responded to the ad, i went and looked at it and the playfield is pretty much perfect (although dirty), usual cab fade and errors popping up everywhere when you powered it on.  I was umming and arring as to what to offer him, when he piped up and said i guess they are only worth a couple of hundred dollars like this....so i though about it for 0.2 of a nanosecond and $300 later it was mine - oh and cost of repairs was less than $3, it was the U20 chip gone.

I think you've just got to be lucky to find bargains though, as i put a few wanted ads in with no repsonse, you just need to get it on the right day when a 70yr old is cleaning out her sons shed who has cleared out....

[MartyJ]

I've got one in my shed you can have for $80...oh hang on, that Homepin's that been sitting here for the last 3 months

Yep i managed to pick up a Flash at a garage sale for $40 (powered up but not working, reseating the connectors sorted that out), pinball machine was listed in the ad, so i was there like a 'Flash' - it was my 1st one, and i knew nothing about them, and the guys on here helped me get it going, was the start of a collection that is now ever growing!

I also managed to pick up an Indiana Jones from a wanted ad i placed for $300 (Homepin may have been a bit adventurous with his $200 - or it could be someone else as well).  The guy responded to the ad, i went and looked at it and the playfield is pretty much perfect (although dirty), usual cab fade and errors popping up everywhere when you powered it on.  I was umming and arring as to what to offer him, when he piped up and said i guess they are only worth a couple of hundred dollars like this....so i though about it for 0.2 of a nanosecond and $300 later it was mine - oh and cost of repairs was less than $3, it was the U20 chip gone.

I think you've just got to be lucky to find bargains though, as i put a few wanted ads in with no repsonse, you just need to get it on the right day when a 70yr old is cleaning out her sons shed who has cleared out....

Dang....That is some serious good juju you've got...

[Homepin]

I've got one in my shed you can have for $80...oh hang on, that Homepin's that been sitting here for the last 3 months

Yeah - OK Rob......very funny........ ...I WILL collect it soon, I promise.......I'm still in PRC at the moment..

[ktm450]

I've got one in my shed you can have for $80...oh hang on, that Homepin's that been sitting here for the last 3 months

Yep i managed to pick up a Flash at a garage sale for $40 (powered up but not working, reseating the connectors sorted that out), pinball machine was listed in the ad, so i was there like a 'Flash' - it was my 1st one, and i knew nothing about them, and the guys on here helped me get it going, was the start of a collection that is now ever growing!

I also managed to pick up an Indiana Jones from a wanted ad i placed for $300 (Homepin may have been a bit adventurous with his $200 - or it could be someone else as well).  The guy responded to the ad, i went and looked at it and the playfield is pretty much perfect (although dirty), usual cab fade and errors popping up everywhere when you powered it on.  I was umming and arring as to what to offer him, when he piped up and said i guess they are only worth a couple of hundred dollars like this....so i though about it for 0.2 of a nanosecond and $300 later it was mine - oh and cost of repairs was less than $3, it was the U20 chip gone.

I think you've just got to be lucky to find bargains though, as i put a few wanted ads in with no repsonse, you just need to get it on the right day when a 70yr old is cleaning out her sons shed who has cleared out....

Ripped off 
Youi paid at least $100 too much for the indy 

[scozza]

Thanks so much for the info guys.  I'll make up a few notices to go in the local supermarkets & start putting a monthly ad in the local rag .. nothing ventured, notyhing gained.

Cheers,

Scott.