Topic Split - Great suggestion @punkin 
Early on in the discussion, Andy @oldskool1969 mentioned that an original Fathom was hard to track down, so I was referring back to the early days when it was almost impossible, but after waiting and looking high and low - I found one. After that purchase, I think I've bought 5 or 6 Fathoms, and I know of one that might be for sale in QLD in the coming months. In the last 2 years, JUNKERS from dealers have gone for ok pricing. My eyesight is terrible these days, but I can't see where I have "covid" in capitals ? Nor a reference to 2016 ? My point is that you guys looking at buying Fathoms for $3500 missed out a long time ago, BUT, if you look hard, they are around, and not for $9000 in decent condition. $9K is covid price. It is NUTS for any Bally SS from that era with the exception of KISS or Playboy. If I missed a $3500 Fathom, I would know it would be difficult to find a nice $7000 (their true pre covid value). This is the MASSIVE issue with prices at the moment. Sellers can name their price (any game), and people will pay it. So there's an argument of sellers' greed and buyers' impatience. Or you can sit on your hands and wait it out. I can go through my list of "Holy Grails" and not once did I even get close to over paying. Now, almost every game sold in the current market is WAY overpriced.
So in my case, I look at the price of $11.5K for a remake, and I'm left in disbelief. I live in the present too and I can guarantee I will find a VERY nice Fathom between now and next year for $5500 TOPS by calling people and keeping an eye on the marketplace. Bookmark this thread. If it falls though, bad luck, if not, I'll supply photos.
When I'm referring to "homework" - It is the basic background checks and due diligence required before buying something. It is really rare for anyone these days to buy something without looking around. That's the point I'm making. I receive calls almost every day for "hard to find" parts and machines, and I have the same stock standard answer that if you do your homework and be patient, you will find what you are looking for at a fair price. It is like the Woodrails. They rarely change hands or go up for sale. Does not mean they are extinct or cost millions. It means you have to shake the tree, do some "homework" and you will have a Woodrail or two. I know of 1500 woodrails in QLD - just sitting there, rotting away. It is no big secret, many pinheads know the story.
The short version of my point is that I struggle with the idea that pinheads will part with $11.5K on a remake of a game, when the original can be located for less. If you have $11.5 to burn - good luck to you - I hope you LOVE the game. If you want something "modernized" - I have no problem with it. Is it really worth $11.5K - I don't know - I've never built a pinball (Hats off to those that have). I would not part with $11.5 for a remake BECAUSE I know that I can buy and original, in good condition, for less.
Sorry THEN covid was in capitals, not covid 2016 is in the same sentence.
Yes you are in the position to be able to track down these things. I being new to the hobby, as you said, would find it more difficult. I look at the time i have left on this planet and i go and get what i want. I still need to be able to justify it to myself and don't just buy everything that takes my fancy, although it may seem like that to some.
I did spend my time as a younger man working two or three jobs, going without so i could put my family in front and they'd have what they needed and hopefully what they wanted before i worried too much about myself. I was still working overtime and on-call on the Council 5 years ago.
So, i bought the Fathom knowing it was beautiful, but very expensive. If i'd looked for a year or more i may have saved some money.
Just waiting on Bill to pick up my Judge Dredd, i had offers to sell me one between 5k and 9.5k. i settled on one just over 6k which i'm sure will make others say it's way to much and two years ago i could have gotten one for 3.5.
It's not two years ago but.
But back to the remakes.
In my position, unless the arse drops out of the market for a fairly rare and very desirable Bally Fathom, i have a 8-9k deposit already for an 11.5k brand new Haggis Fathom, that need not one cent spent on it to be showroom condition (mine is better than players, but needs a stencil/cab job and chrome) for 2-3k to upgrade.
It's a no brainer.
In your case, you have a Bally Fathom in original condition that you are perfectly capable of restoring yourself if you so wish, that you actually much prefer over a remake for 'purist' reasons, and your 'trade down' cost is over 9K. For you, this is also a no brainer. And if i was invested so lightly on mine i would also make the same decision as you and just keep it.
The newer collectors will be into the remakes, the guys in the States where Fathoms don't change hands as much and are harder to track down are going to be into it too.
In the nd there are only 250 being made, assuming they all sell before the 4 week window closes, so these will be much rarer than the Bally's. If they turn out to be better then watch what the pricing does in the second hand market over the next five years. It won't bother me, it will a relatives job to sell it in any case and hopefully not for a few years yet.
If they turn out to be shit do you want to get a mates discount on a HUO low plays Haggis? You can put a told you so sign in the backglass.
11.5k for a remake too, Stern pops out 4-5 titles a year (or so they plan). There's no love in any of them, look at the cab on Led Zepplin, but a premium so-so rushed machine is 12.5k currently. You have to take a chance on whether you like it, specially if the theme resonates and you want an LE as they sell out in hours and then if the title is really good they double in value.
I have to say, it's not the last pinball machine i'll ever sell if i could only keep one (Orbit 1), but my favourite machine to play out of the 25 i have is my Chicago Gaming Company Attack from MarsLE remake.
I know Dave from Belmont's favourite is his CGC Medieval Madness remake, and he has been collecting for many years too.
In the end, these manufacturers are choosing proven formula's for fun and beauty.
There are still companies designing their own machines too (including Haggis) and modern machines are getting more modern. My Gunners talks to the internet and is capable of doing it's own updates, it can post my scores on worldwide leader boards, it even takes video of me while I'm playing, adds me to the lineup on stage playing the song and puts it on the big screen for spectators to watch.
Best of both worlds for me please.
