The Progression of a Pinball Addict - A Historical Perspective

The Progression of a Pinball Addict - A Historical Perspective
(Originally posted rec.games.pinball, February 2 2003 by "The_Black_Knight" )

The bottom line up front: "Where are YOU now"?

History has an interesting way of putting things in their proper place.

28+ years collecting and counting...

Most collectors pass through a SIX STAGE PROCESS:

Stage 1

- Introduction to Pinball or reliving old memories of a "classic from their youth"

- Usually this constitutes the purchase of "ONE" machine for their home....

- Starts looking for resources to find several broken parts on his / her machine
to make it "perfect" (or to make it work correctly)

- Buys tools for repair that cost more than the purchased game, for "future use" (contributor addition)

Stage 2

- Now, its "Hey, this is even better than I remember....."

- Buying spree begins, dependent on monetary funds

- The new collector starts buying machines that do not work, are missing parts, etc.
to save money, or to finance buying more machines

- Collector has to start justifying his actions to his family and wife

- Machines start taking up places in the house that they should not be

- Collector begins thinking about building a "game room" (seriously)

Stage 3

- The new collector realizes he might be over his head technically, as he looks around
and sees how many broken machines he owns, and frantically is looking for parts,
his technical skills continue to improve as a result

- He starts to begin the enjoy the aspect of restoring machines more than play or collecting

- Begins to sell several machines, to purchase other games that have more overall collector appeal

- He / she begins to final his / her "Most Wanted List"

Stage 4

- The collector zones in on specific eras and games, trying to collector the best
from that period of time, based on what he can afford

- The collector sells off the "crap" and fine tunes his / her collection

- The collector begins to invite other collectors to his home, to share the fun and show off his finds

- His family is annoyed but they still support him as long "as you keep it in the garage"

Stage 5

- Collector is "hardcore", only has specific games on his list, or loses interest in pinball,
will not accept games with "flaws", to include NIB and HUO machines

- Collector cannot stand if a switch is malfunctioning, and must fix it immediately

- Owns almost all or most of the machines he ever wanted

- Sells games, to reduce maintenance requirements dependent on job

- Projects are still in the garage, but devotes time to other pursuits

- Only plays games when company is around

- Looks at his collector as "a part of pinball history"

- Occasionally dabbles in locating "just one more game for his collection....."

Stage 6
(Submitted by Rather Play Pinball, 2003)

- Years of collecting NOS parts that others drool over

- Machines so pristine, to play them is a sin

- As soon as a cat or human touches the glass, the owner is wiping it down

- Game Room is complete with perfect lighting, posters, etc.

- Thoughts of "Can I be buried in one of these things?" crosses your mind

- You begin to realize there is more to life than pinball
(Family, retirement, a house, etc.)

In conclusion, these stages are not necessary a "bad thing" by any means,
but think about what stage you might be in...

And YES, you can go backwards and forwards during these phases MANY times!