EDIT: Looks like this has officially turned to an AFM FS/FT post

A little background:
I purchased a nice (not perfect) AFM a couple of months ago. The game is currently residing in one of my company's US warehouses and awaiting free transport home to Toronto. I really love the look of this game and it's a great title. I've always wanted to restore one and had been considering doing a HEP style BAFM with all black trim and the works... just for the fun of it.
I realize now that I probably don't want to keep AFM in my collection with MM being so similar, so I was thinking, have fun restoring it and see what I can get for it later. TRON LE and CV are some titles I'd be interested in.

Then, I got busy!
I now have a WH2O in my shop that I am doing a full tear-down restoration on and a FT that is waiting for the same treatment. Both are staying in my collection. I can only really do 1-2 games a year with my schedule so my plate is pretty full.

So, with recent posts of TRON LEs FS/FT getting my interest. Do I go to trouble of restoring AFM to better than showroom condition and possibly put it on the market 4-6 months from now, or should I just trade it now "as-is" towards one of the titles I want? Not really interested in selling outright.
What would you do? Let's vote on it

-Game condition is very clean. Very little fade if any, but a few nicks on the cab.
-Playfield is probably an 8.5 - 9 (small pencil eraser sized wear near left flipper and 2 or 3 inserts edges look like they may need some attention. SOL must have some wear but is covered for now)
-has Pinbits shaker motor installed
-has pf and GI LEDs installed
-I have a set of original Pheonix Arcades decals included
-I have a Pinbits blackout mod, new strobe board/lamp, saucer plate and a few other random parts.
-game is fully blanket + shrinkwrapped and paletted.

Here are a few teaser images (from original seller, not mine)

AFM_01.jpg AFM_02.jpg AFM_04.jpg AFM_10.jpg AFM_11.jpg

As it is, plus the parts I mentioned, this is probably a $7K game. If I were to do what I originally planned, this would be a $9K game. I would be lucky to get my money out of it and nothing for my labor, but it would be fun nonetheless and it would also give me a certain level of satisfaction.
That's why I would trade rather than sell.

Are you bringing a TRON with you

The pf is an easy fix. I have close-ups and the wear is minimal and I can easily airbrush it out. I also have access to great finishing facilities and would do a nice clearcoat on it.

It's a labor of love. I enjoy restoration as much as playing... sometimes more. Up close it does have it's issues, but a great example nonetheless. Top end player condition/low end collector. I would probably not sell, but finding it a good home and a trade for something I like would sit well with me.

I know, but variety is key for me. If I had a 30 pin collection, maybe.
From the overall concept of the game play to the character's voices/quotes, there's just too much similarity with MM. Both games do play a bit differently, but I prefer the Medieval theme and humour.

I agree. Not sure what Chris charges, but I would imagine he'd get a quite a bit more for his work.
Like I said, it would just have been a fun project and I would have been happy to get something of equal or similar value in trade.

That being said, my thoughts are certainly leaning closer towards not doing the restoration unless I decided for some reason to hold on to it. I always tend to go a bit overboard on my games, but I also never intend to sell any of them

That's the way I look at it. It's a hobby for me, not a business. I'm not counting every penny.
It's not like people don't spend money on other hobbys that they'll never get back. Sounds like we've turned into a bunch of bankers sometimes.

I've always spent a lot doing up my pins. No apologies. I enjoy them and enjoy having them look and play right. This is the first game I thought of "restoring" and letting go. If I can put a sweet-a$$ AFM in the hands of someone who will love it, and I get something I like equally as much in return, I'm in! But, if someone likes it as-is and I can get closer to one of those pins, I'm open to that too... especially given the other games I have on the back-burner.

Nice work on yours!

Adriano

I know, we're so desperate for pins up here. Anything to improve the local stock

And sell MM????
Just kidding. Ive already gone through the internal wrestling, I've rung my hands and paced back and forth. The conclusion: MM is staying and, although I do love AFM, I just want to have as much variety as possible in my lineup. For me that's TRON or CV.

Surprisingly though, not a lot of offers so far. Where are all the guys that "say" they can't find an AFM??? I was expecting at least a little bit of interest
I might just have to go ahead and haul her a$$ back to Canuckistan (thanks for that one Jason!)

Okay.... I'm listening
As this thread goes on I'm starting to crack a little. Money will get me into a TRON or CV just as easily as a trade. What'cha offering?

For a player machine, it is very nice. For a collector, needs some cosmetic work. Depends what you're after.

Just thought I would add one more twist.
In addition to Tron LE, I've been entertaining trades for Tron Pro as well. The game would have to be NIB or very mint HUO and some cash would have to be coming my way.
Just putting it out there.

PS.
The game is currently being stored in LV for those interested.

No problem, quit taking our Stanley cups and it's a deal

Sorry, AFM is gone. Just waiting for payment to clear.
Thanks anyway.