Altoona, PA
I’ve recently got back into the hobby and I’ve gone the route of NIB modern titles. I’ve had a game at a time in the past and have always been able to maintain my games but I’m not in anyway experienced with major rebuilds. I have a great collection so far and my wife’s uncle has had a set of four games in his home for the past twenty years. They are The Addam’s Family, Fish Tales, Terminator 2, and F-14 Tomcat. He purchased these games from the same small vendor I bought my Jurassic Park and The Simpson’s Pinball Party at. His four games were on route locally in the early nineties until he bought them in 1994-95. He has had them serviced by the same guy since then bought hasn’t ever upgraded lighting or Modded in any way. He has placed them in a “farm house “ that our entire family shares for Birthdays and holiday so that everyone could enjoy. We have 15 children under 18 in the family. The games constantly have balls get stuck and eight year olds are pulling the glass and issues with the games are becoming more often. They are broke down more often then not and I offered to try to sell and get some newer machines that would be more reliable and an air hockey table that they couldn’t break.
I selfishly wanted the Addams Family for myself but I was extremely intimidated once I opened that thing up. Right now the game resets when “the power” or the magnets engage.
I’m sure a decent tech could fix these games but when I really looked over them I see great candidates for complete restores. I don’t think the other three games do enough for me to sink that kind of money in but when I asked our local guy what they’d be worth I instantly knew I had to go another route. He quoted me $8,833.35 for a MMR and he’d give $3,000 for Fish Tales, T-2 & F-14. I have bought games from Cointaker, Pinball Star and Automated Services and he is about 10% high on the new game.
I live in central PA and don’t know whether I should find a collector that will take these games and restore them, apply the money to a NIB. Take the money from the three others and make a HEP out of Addams Family. Make the investment in all four. Tinker with them myself and try not to destroy possible collectors pieces. I’m looking for advice and if I do sell I’ll list them and pay any fees required. I’m honestly looking for advice and my time is precious, my experience is limited. Thanks and be kind!
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Collingwood, ON
