Everyone assumes that if it's on Ebay, the seller needs to sell it immediately. This just isn't the case - many "professional" Ebay sellers have no problems relisting for a year until something sells, if they know it will eventually sell. It's different on something that may depreciate (ie computers, etc), but for pinball machines, collectibles, etc - many sellers put up listings knowing they may be up for months before selling.

This is a bit unfair. It's like saying you should never use a realtor because of their fees and you should just sell your home on your own, you should never trade in a car, etc, because you should never let others make money on your items. There are many reasons to sell on Ebay or sell in the community. And you can't say that you make more money here or there - I've seen ridiculously high Ebay sales, and I've seen ridiculously high Pinside sales (IMO). I've seen machines sell here that I think would sell for less on Ebay, and I've seen machines sell on Ebay that I think would sell for less on here. To each their own - you have to be careful trying to judge others so quick just because they list their machine on Ebay. Pinball dealers buy their machines in quantity low and sell higher - that's doesn't make them scum. Without them, we wouldn't have machines.

I understand what you're saying, just disagree. I know a great jukebox/amusement&arcade machine dealer that simply goes and buys their machines across the country - some of them they fix up and sell, but most they just sell outright without doing anything to them. Been doing it for 20+ years, and have a huge business with hundreds of machines in their warehouse. Doesn't make them or the company a slimebag - they are providing a service. And they had to start somewhere - probably by realizing that at some point they could find machines and resell them at a small profit. That small profit gets magnified the more the volume went up, and it becomes a business. The bottom line is the games always end up in a players hands - just some end up costing a bit more. As a consumer I can hunt and hunt for a great deal on a particular machine, and wait months .. or perhaps I just want to buy one NOW in great condition - if I want to buy one NOW, chances are I may end up buying from a flipper/dealer. The flipper may just be a big business, or one person - but in the end, they are buying machines for the sole purpose of selling them higher. They are usually providing a service of having machines ready to sell to consumers that want it now - many consumers can't wait, or don't want to, or simply don't want to take the time to research, to find a great deal. Every time my car needs gas, I don't do research to find the cheapest gas station. But many people do, and save money. But for me, saving $1.50 on gas (10 cents x 15 gallons) isn't worth my time or effort. Again, there are people who disagree. But ....... to each their own!