Bad time of year I think

Exactly. Been following this trend for years now. What happens is simple - People need cash for Christmas presents, so the first thing that goes is "luxury" items. Kids don't play the pinnies anymore etc etc. So HEAPS of cheap pins flood eBay etc, driving the prices down. Dealers do well as the impulse buyers want the pin "now", and they usually buy when they are in the showroom. Once the private pins are sold, then there is extra funding around Christmas which goes into buying presents. Some people have money as their gift, so STRAIGHT after Christmas, there's money to spend on pinballs that are not "Christmas presents".

I usually target this time of year to pick up the "under the radar" pin. There's plenty that have gone already !

Your AFM is worth what you are asking.. .. .. but "not" at this time of year.