How do you know if you are overpaying for a pinball????

[Dazzat]

I noticed a chat in the introduction section regarding this but didn't want to hijack that thread.
Do we have a Doc here that can give us a common pricing range to pay for a pinball machine or is it too variable to do that and just ask here about the  game to know if we are getting ripped off?

  and  to AP !

As Nick mentioned, you are fortunate you have found the forum prior to buying your first pin. You will avoid overpaying for your first game  A VERY common issue !

Enjoy the forum

[Pop Bumper Pete]

It is hard to judge the condition of a game without seeing it in person

But you can simply post on the forum of a game that interests you, everybody will chime in with a price range you should expect to pay

You can get a good, fun, first time buyers game for $2000-$2500


Prices asked by dealers will be higher due to them having to pay rent/staff

[Dazzat]

It is hard to judge the condition of a game without seeing it in person

But you can simply post on the forum of a game that interests you, everybody will chime in with a price range you should expect to pay

You can get a good, fun, first time buyers game for $2000-$2500


Prices asked by dealers will be higher due to them having to pay rent/staff

Thanks for chiming in Pop Bumper Pete,

Yes I thought it would be too hard to have a variable doc on here due to conditions of Pinballs, being a first time buyer 5 months ago I came into buying one from a pinball specialist, they have been absolutely fantastic since day one for me and that's why I have gone back & spent over $1000 more on the pinny, and  planning very soon on picking up another off them that is currently being held me 

[Extra Ball]

prices change as well, what people will be paying in 6 months could be different

[Dazzat]

Another factor yes!

[Strangeways]

I think EVERYONE pays too much for their first pinball purchase until they learn the ropes. It pays to shop around and ask plenty of questions on our great forum. I'd say it has saved many newbies from over paying for their first game.

I guess you "know you have overpaid", when you see a better game for less than you paid. Happens all time. That's why you shop around, and NEVER, EVER restrict yourself to eBay or dealers. Private sellers can give you the best deal.

[Dazzat]

Absolutely Strangeways !

I seem to think that private sales can be expensive as well Sometimes especially for n00bs like me 

I mean I would like to sell my Pinball soon but what is a nice price for me and for the next person who buys it?
It's tough for me as I am so new to the market, and I have spent a lot of money making it better than when I received it from the seller.
But like a car sale, I will never get what I want and the money I put into it I will never get back 

[robm]

I think EVERYONE pays too much for their first pinball purchase until they learn the ropes. It pays to shop around and ask plenty of questions on our great forum. I'd say it has saved many newbies from over paying for their first game.

I guess you "know you have overpaid", when you see a better game for less than you paid. Happens all time. That's why you shop around, and NEVER, EVER restrict yourself to eBay or dealers. Private sellers can give you the best deal.

There is always an exception to the rule....in this case its my first machine.

I paid $40 for a Flash, and thanks to the help on this forum had it going in 24 hrs!!!

As others have said, best to ask plenty of questions to both the seller and guys on the forum

[Dazzat]

BANG!!! $40 WOW Now that is a winning buy

[Retropin]

I mean I would like to sell my Pinball soon but what is a nice price for me and for the next person who buys it?

As a seller its nice to get as much as possible for a pin... as a buyer its nice to pay as little.
In the middle somewhere is a deal to be made and everything is negotiable and everything has its price.... ya just got to find it!

[Dazzat]

That's why I'm here to meet people like yourself to get the best knowledge possible and so far this site and people have been fantastic, So glad I found this place 

[rads]

With the advantage of hindsight I would buy from the forum as my first chioce.  The people on here ask reasonable prices for their games.  Any commercial dealer will factor in their costs which will push up price.  If you have a specific title in mind, start a thread asking what is reaonsable price and or a wanted add.

[pinnies4me]

How do you know if a.lawyer is lying??

His lips are moving.

How do you know if you are overpaying for a pinball????

You are talking to a dealer.

[PinballMagazine]

this may be a bit rational, but if someone is paying whatever high figure for a pinball machine, isn't that just relative? To him (or her) that game was worth the money. It may have been available somewhere else for less, but that doesn't mean the game is overpaid.

[Caveoftreasures]

Overpaying only becomes a issue if you buy a machine and play it for 6 months then want to sell it and get another title. Thants when u have to watch every cent u pay. But if u plan on keeping it forever, or at least the next 3 or 4 years, then paying a supposed extra $300 to $500 doesnt really matter, cause prices would have probably risen by then and you will recover your costs. If u are making two hundred grand a year, whats a bit extra for a machine, but if u are only making 40 grand a year it becomes a issue more. Its all relative which someone else said.

Even if u sell a machine a year or 3 later, and if you lose 10 percent or 20 percent, who cares, its not like u didnt get a thousand or two thousand fun games out of it. Always getting your money back is never going to be realistic. Thats how i look at it.