Quoted from OldHockeyGuy:I'm glad someone sold me an imperfect game at a fair price and I was able to get into the hobby. I read books and also pumped people for information on how to repair items.
First rule is always accept that everyone is not the same as yourself. I too started by learning to fix the games. But if we go back to what I said "Newbs not ready to tinker shouldn't be out hunting for the best deals". While there are plenty of people who do want to go on this journey, far far far more people get in without a clue and AREN'T interested in a game that is likely going to not work right when they get it home... and worse... not expect it. A flea market atmosphere of 'as is' games isn't a good spot to break in a person who may not know what it means to own a game. It's a great experience to show them what is possible and that the hobby/market is alive.
Hell, look at the number of NIB buyers on pinside who think buying a new game should be like buying a TV from Best Buy... Everyone wants a wholesaler price but with retail expectations.
EVERY SINGLE DAY I am onsite working on games, someone strikes up a conversation with me about wanting someone willing to fix games for them.. or have a conversation like "I want a game, but don't want to worry about fixing it". I mean, remember, we are in a time where people pay others to come pickup their dog poop or clean their trash cans for them as a subscription.
Even just 2hrs ago, guy told me he had two games... Royal Flush and Gorgar. Non-trivial games he's had a long long time... but what does he do? He pays a tech from MD to come over and fix his stuff.
The idea that strollin' the aisles of York is a great way to setup randos is nuts.. even EMs... which of course can always be fixed if complete, but also temperamental if not played enough.
Send the retail buyers to the *honest* retail sellers - It's better for both of them.
Quoted from Palmer:Exactly. The notion that newbies can't learn how to fix their first game is ridiculous.
Great - because no one said that either.