How far are you willing to drive for a pinball machine?

[Pop Bumper Pete]

(I am located in Ballarat)

I must be getting old.
Over the last year, there has been a few machines on offer,  but located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
I find myself reluctant to want to drive there (with a trailer) and negotiate Melbourne traffic
Western suburbs, no problem, Geelong, Bendigo, any thing under 4-5 hours (round trip), I am OK with.

Does driving in Melbourne suck, or am I a wimp?

[Strangeways]

Depends on the title and the price. It helps if the price is set / agreed upon BEFORE you decide to take the trip.

Sometimes, the actual trip is as important as the machine, and the memories will always be cherished. People you meet as a buyer can forge longer friendships. Two trips for me were memorable ;

1 - Terang - Pro Football off eBay for $500. I cannot remember how long it took me to get there - maybe a 6 hour trip. I got there and the seller had pulled the machine out of the garage for me. It could not stand on it's legs. The cabinet was falling apart. In the "spirit of the deal" - I paid for it and drove it back to Melbourne. The machine STUNK of moisture and "decay". I listened to a CD I had just bought "Talisman - 7", and EVERY time I listen to that CD, I remember the smell and the trip back.

2 - Lakes Entrance - Buccaneer - A year before I bought it, it was a lonely figure next to a Video in the gamesroom in a Holiday unit we were staying in. I offerred to repair it - at least send parts up when I got home. I left him my number and a year later - he called me and asked me to pick up the machine. Eight hours later, it was in my Garage. That was a great memory.

I'll drive anywhere to buy a machine I really want, or just for "the memory"..

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Depends on the title and the price. It helps if the price is set / agreed upon BEFORE you decide to take the trip.

Not willing to trust pictures, and have been burnt a few times
I need to inspect the game before agreeing to a price

I'll drive anywhere to buy a machine I really want, or just for "the memory"..

Did that with a video game, was surprised all the guys pinball games were in storage ;)
(but it was a good chat)

[Strangeways]

Depends on the title and the price. It helps if the price is set / agreed upon BEFORE you decide to take the trip.

Not willing to trust pictures, and have been burnt a few times
I need to inspect the game before agreeing to a price

I'll drive anywhere to buy a machine I really want, or just for "the memory"..

Did that with a video game, was surprised all the guys pinball games were in storage ;)
(but it was a good chat)

The chats and the memories - even catching up with pinheads (and arcade dudes  ) are always a highlight of a transaction.

I know someone who is driving 16 hours (round trip) to pick up a pinball machine - How's THAT for being keen 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I know someone who is driving 16 hours (round trip) to pick up a pinball machine - How's THAT for being keen 

Yep, that is keen
But if it is a Nino restoration, it would be worth it

I suppose part of it may be that I do not really have the space, if I get something, it will probably have to go into storage for a year until I get the new house

[Wotto]

I know someone who is driving 16 hours (round trip) to pick up a pinball machine - How's THAT for being keen 

Wont be thier first time either 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

If it is Wotto, he wont have to drive through Melbourne to get to you

[Douggie]

I'd drive pretty much anywhere for an Evel Knievel machine at the right price, which only seems fair as he tried to jump the snake river canyon for my amusment.

[Strangeways]

If it is Wotto, he wont have to drive through Melbourne to get to you

That's true ! Straight off the Hume Freeway and 10 minutes later - He is a t my place 

I know someone who is driving 16 hours (round trip) to pick up a pinball machine - How's THAT for being keen 

Wont be thier first time either 

.. hopefully won't be the last 

[ktm450]

Does driving in Melbourne suck, or am I a wimp?

Driving in Melbourne does suck, driving through Melbourne sucks more!
Have had some memoriable experiences over the years as Nino said has been great to meet and talk to other pinheads see their collections and projects and visit businesses involved in the industry (even Wayne) 

[Caveoftreasures]

I have driven from the gold coast QLD to Sydney 3 times over a 12 month period to pick up 3 seperate pinball machines. Too old to bother doing it anymore cause it takes too much out of you.  

They were 3 x fast n furious trips. Left the gold coast friday afternoon, after work, drove thru the night, arrived in Sydo early morning saturday, picked up the machine and headed straight back to the Gold Coast and arrived home for dinner satday evening.

Then u just sleep all day sunday/monday to recover.  

[Bennyfactor]

wow, you guys are really keen to be driving so far for pinnies
being in Perth there's not that many places to drive to ;)
I did go on a 6hr round trip to pick up an arcade cab with a mate though

[Redback]

I'd even drive to Ballarat to pick up a pin,

Red

[goodolddays]

And I thought I was keen .. Live in North Western Sydney .. driven to Newcastle to look at a pin then next week to pick up. Also gone to Maitland and Cessnock on seperate pickups , plus a few trips across Sydney and down to Bulli.

[StuartT]

Drove from Melbourne to Adelaide Hills and back to pick up a Bally Wizard.