Yes, but isnt it true that DMD does outsell all other formats and arent DMD machines the most popular sold machine in Australia.
100 containers have been brought into Australia in the last 3 or 4 years, and 80 to 90 percent of all the containers that I have ever seen are always full of DMD machines..with little of anything else.
Batman - Stern was probably asked for alot because the cabinet art was absolutely awesome, and I can see why alot of newbies/first time buyers would want one for their gamesrooms for sure. I think it is a bit different in each state. In QLD, 99 percent of collectors have 99 percent of machines being DMD from what I have seen in my travels over 4 or more yrs... Also, with DMD machines being much more modern, it is likely that u will attract newbies to the market with the latest technology being DMD than other older formats. I thought the Bumper list was pretty spot on as a general DMD list.
100 containers is way off the mark. There's no way of pinpointing how many arrive, but it it not that high. I'm not sure if 80% are in fact ALL DMD machines, it may well be, but there's a good reason why it is so high and it is NOT "demand" for DMDs, it is because Dealers target Addams Family, Twilight Zone etc etc. Dealers don't have the expertise to recondition SS or EMs. It is also not economical to attempt this kind of work.
Here's an example ;
Addams Family - Would take 30 hours to do properly. Under 20 Hours is simply taking short cuts like not replacing pop bumper assemblies, not replacing faulty globe holders or not rebuilding assemblies. This work is not undertaken to ensure there are service calls in the future. To replace parts is optional, as most would be good. Ramps are always a problem - so replace them. So with a minimum effort, a quick return and high profit.
Eight Ball - Would take 30 - 40 hours to do properly. 100-120 hours for a full restore including repaint. Firstly, there no dealers out there with the necessary skills to do the job properly within the maximum 30 hours they would be prepared to spend. More effort required = less profit. Not economically viable.
So from a PROFIT point of view - It is MUCH easier to find an Addams Family, and put less effort with maximum profit. Therefore, it is within the interest of a Dealer to AVOID SS and EM machines, or, sell them as projects. It is just not economically viable. So there's the 80% Brett mentions. However, it does not represent the DEMAND for the EMs and SS. Up until 5 years ago - NO ONE was bringing them in. That is a fact. The ONLY SS and EMs were "container fillers" - that were freebies (unless they were KISS or Playboy).
DMDs will ALWAYS outsell SS and EM. That is only because dealers target them. That's the bottom line.
But in the last 10-15 years, there has been an increased demand in SS and EMs. I've often come across collectors looking for DMDs, and when they find out that they can buy SS or EM, they quickly re assess their option - "Oh so you DO know how to fix them" ? Most importers don't know their product, and don't cover all eras.
Case in point - My Facebook Business page has been up for a week. I've highlighted DMDs, SS and EMs. The FIRST request was for a Bally KISS. The requests to restore or source are in order SS, DMD and then EM.
The comment "80% of the containers imported are DMDs" has NOTHING to do with DEMAND. It is what the importer has targeted. It is also what the importer WANTS you to believe. Another point to consider is the saturation of DMDs. While dealers / importers complete they lose market share of the SS and EMs. All comes down to product knowledge. My strategy has always been the SS and EM market, and funnily enough, the demand for SS machines is higher than DMD. EMs are not as high.
