Quoted from Patofnaud:If you are a total n00b and do not want to learn or expect someone to fix any problems for you, buy from someone who is offering a warranty. Don't buy a value pin and expect premium service.
And if you do want to learn, how are you supposed to do that without helpful folks to coach you along and show you the ropes?
I'm fairly new to this hobby, there's nothing in a pinball that I can't handle mechanically... but learning how to read a schematic and know where to look when troubleshooting is something that someone needs to teach you.
It's no different than the old car hobby, with which I am very familiar. Modern cars are all set up the same way... turn the key, and go-- the pedals are all in the same place. I could put you in front a Model T and I would bet money that you couldn't even get it started without serious injury, and if you did, you wouldn't have a clue how to drive it. Does that mean I should mock, deride, or refuse to sell one to you? No... it means that I help you get set up with the basics (including safety stuff that one wouldn't even consider in a modern car) and make myself available to help out as I can. It's not a warranty, it's someone willing to help you get up to speed.