Just wondering, how long have Aussie Pinballer’s been collecting pinball machine

[spook]

Been playing them for about 34 years, but didn't get around to buying until about 4 months ago (now have 2).

[Steve2010]

Similar to Swinks, about 18 months.  Played them as a kid from about 12 to my early 20's, then moved onto other things.  Then, quite out of the blue, the interest blew in from nowhere early last year.  I'm now 47.

I think I bought my first one when I was 16 or 17

Pete, do you even remotely remember what you paid for this first pin, and what was it?

[pinnies4me]

First machine at 13 and im 30 now so 17years thats a scary thought

The real question for your Daniel (and perhaps more scary) is "How Many Pinball Machines Have You Wasted with a Shotgun in 17 Years?"

[PinPal]

The first pinball I bought was a Bally Strikes and Spares for $600.00 bucks back in 1986, there was a glut of pinball machines back then so they where going real cheap. Was in very nice condition I am sorry I ever sold it... But I still collect pins to this day.
My old Stikes And Spares, wonder where it is now 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Similar to Swinks, about 18 months.  Played them as a kid from about 12 to my early 20's, then moved onto other things.  Then, quite out of the blue, Pete, do you even remotely remember what you paid for this first pin, and what was it?

Sure Shot, Gottlieb Wedgehead EM, $100

local opperator was having a sale, single player games were $100, two player games were $120

[Strangeways]

My situation is unique so it would be difficult to put an exact time on when the hoarding / collecting really started. As most of you know, my father was importing pinballs in the early 50's, so I've been around them all my life. When I was in primary school, I used to come home and find NIB Bally games being stripped and contact being installed. There were two games that I wanted to "keep" for myself. KISS and Paragon. Both are in my collection. But it was not a "collection" until I had my own home. But the Business stopped in 1994, and all the games were collected from sites and placed in storage with the others.

The plan was to own as many games as I can - an addiction rather than a collection.

[Mr Pinbologist]

23 years, bought my first pin when i was 20.. Stern Stingray for $300 and still have it  as most of you know you always think one will be enough when you purchase your first pin.. yeah right!!  like probably most of you guys i never intended on more than one until others kept popping up here and there!!

[ktm450]

I have been collecting for 10 years, I purchased my first pin 2 weeks after my uncle-in-law 60th birthday, he lives in Townsville and had a Williams Rollergames under his house, he and a friend used to site a few pins around the area. I had played a bit of pinball in the past but never considered owning one in the home, I though they would be far too expensive.  I cant remember at the time having internet access for pricing or any technical help.
Anyway after playing every day I was up there I was hooked and had to own a pin of my own.  We looked at a Stargate his friend had for sale for $1200 in beautiful condition but figured the transport would make the bargain not so reasonable when I could find something similar down this way.  I was flicking through the local paper 2 weeks later and found a Gottlieb Dragon for $900  I restored it but unfortunately the old girl was a little slow and the gameplay lacking for my taste so she had to go, I made my money plus some and put it towards a HS2 by then the disease had well and truly taken hold 
Back in the days before I had a digital camera, I have a couple of old photos I scanned into the computer

[GAP]

Purchased my first machine in approx 1990 for $50.00 - a fully working Bally Expressway. Unfortunately got rid of it about four years later 
Started again in Sept 2005 with Scared Stiff, and now out of room with 17 machines. Mind you if AC/DC happens, we will have 18 machines.....somewhere.....somehow.

[pinball god]

17 years or so but I had one in 1994 and didn't add another until 2005 I think.

[pinball god]

 

First machine at 13 and im 30 now so 17years thats a scary thought

The scary thought is you're only 30yo. The rate you're collecting we may all have to leave Oz to give you enough room to house your collection Daniel.  

[Skybeaux]

Close to 15 years collecting for me , i still have the Bally Supersonic i bought back then plus about 6 other machines at the moment.

That wasn't the first machine i owned though , my parents bought me a Gottlieb Sure Shot back when i was 14 (so 31 years ago)
It was only a few years old and in mint condition.....they paid $275 for it , i know because i still have the receipt.....wish i still had the machine , i sold it for $50

[roundball]

Surprising poll results. Got my first close on 8 years ago.

Would have though the demographic would have indicated an ownership of a lot longer than the poll displays.

[Audioenslaved]

Ive been collecting 3 years.. 1 machine is the first year 2 in the second 3 in the 3rd... better not be 4 in the 4th...

[pinmadd]

First pin 7yrs ago. a Mousin Around, 2nd  GnR, Did'nt really start collecting till 4yrs ago