One of the first lessons I've learned in pinball was to have patience in finding a decent machine at a good price. This is the HARDEST part of collecting because if you have the cash, which you do, you are tempted to rush out and blow it on the fist thing that pops up close by. Take your time, play the game you have in mind either on Pinball Arcade or out somewhere on location if you are lucky enough to have one around. Do your research, read reviews etc. You cant go wrong with an TAF but I've seen them cheaper and who knows what "normal wear and tear" means from someone on CL. You can always ask for pictures and really get a better sense of it's condition before making a long drive. And feel free to share any pics here to get input from guys that have a lot more experience.

Pinball-Addams Family Pinball - $5000?

If it's solid that's a good price...all about the condition and if it works 100%

double post

With 20,000 made, that means the total market value of TAF is $100 million.

Geeesh

Tough to tell from the pictures. I think it's an okay price at best personally. It's a reimport , but the Fester scoop looks fairly clean. I would ask for better pics before making the drive.

I might hit the seller up of the STTNG again to see if it's available. Might have been intimidated by the whole video of opto/ir testing.

Had similar experiences with well priced cars on CL. If it's an easy sale, they don't want to jump through too many hoops to make a sale. Hell, I had a tough time getting VIN #'s.

Server lag, dupe post. Sorry

Wow, that TAF is another nice find. Apparently the Texas market for pins is pretty sweet! If you've never played Addam's Family, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try. There is a reason that it is consistently right towards the top of the best pins ever produced. Pat Lawlor did a great job with this. Tons of cool and unique modes, a great multiball (with the best build up sounds to multiball ever imo), difficult and varied shots... This pin really has it all. Plus, if you want to go that route, there are tons of mods available for TAF. Assuming the playfield is in good condition and the game plays well with no (or few) diagnostic errors, this could be a great first game that I believe really should hold its value. 5k (or less) would be a pretty sweet bargain on this pin.

My two cents when dealing with craigslist sellers. They want the EASIEST sell possible. If you email asking for a dozen extra pics, videos of test modes, a laundry list of questions.... You are never going to hear back. Keep it local where you are comfortable driving to and still willing to walk away. Don't haggle in your email on price, do it when you show up with cash in hand.

Your email to any seller should be- hi my name is (blank) and I'm interested in your (specific name of machine) I have cash in hand and someone that can help load, I would like to come take a look. Email, phone or text me back whatever's easiest for you.

My extra two cents. Avoid craigslist. You live in an area with a ton of collectors, probably many on Pinside. The best deals I have ever gotten were from friends I made on here. Find local tournaments and go and compete and meet locals. You could also Start a new thread saying in the title WTB in San Antonio Texas.

Best of luck!

That price list seems way off. 2500 for attack from mars?????? Show me where to get one at that price please. I find pinside and pinballprice.com to be more accurate for up to date values.

they only have 1 record of an AFM since 2014...probably why--purely based on what they pull from Ebay only I think. I go more with Mr. Pinball but all these lists are more of a ballpark.

Except that there are nowhere near 20,000 still in existence.

Which means there are a LOT of TAFs in landfills. Sad but true (for any title).

I think Chuck E Cheese might have trashed more pins than anyone.

Yeah, the "12-month average" is pretty useless if there's only been one eBay sale. That AFM must have been dredged up from a lake.
OTOH it's very useful for a game like TSPP. If 5 of them sold on eBay for an average price of $4383, then I'd say that's a good price to start dealing from, as either a buyer or a seller.

Probably a little high unless it's really pretty. I see those usually for around 3k

If I were you I would just buy a NIB Stern and have fun with it if your budget is $5000. ST is an incredible pin. GOT is off to a great start. IM is tough, but the best "one more game" pin of all time. MET is incredible also. I really dig the new Sterns and if you want one you just call up, pay and they come to your door. Play the crap out of your new pin and enjoy. The next step is to come to the Texas Pinball Festival in March to play 400-500 different games to find what you like and get to know more people in the area to make connections to buy another one. Good luck!

It all depends on how popular the game becomes and when you sell it, if you sell it.

Here comes the voice of reason (from the fog of insomnia).

It's impressive that you've worked and saved enough to spend $5000 on a new game. But if that's your life savings and you'll be buying a car in a few years, set your budget for your first game at around $1500, and bank the rest. Learning how to restore and maintain an older game is a lot of fun and very rewarding, as long as it's not a basket case.

Then when you're 16, you'll have enough money for a real car, maybe even a car with nice lines that the girls will notice...that's what I wish I'd had at 16.

By the way, I worked on a game tonight that I picked up for $900, and I'm loving it just as much as my 2 Sterns that I bought new.

I'm gonna go ahead and really agree with swampfire here.

If you've got a budget of $3500...that's a huge budget to work with, You could buy a really really awesome solid state, in great shape, have it shipped to you from someone trusted on here (who would probably take as many photos as you want) and still make out better than that number.

I think you're going to be pretty hard up to find that deal without a lot of problems/wear.

I was in my 30's the first time I had saved $5000 to spend on something fun - but then I blew that on my wedding.

be ready to fix stuff or make sure your dad can for you. whatever you buy will need repairs and maintenance sooner than later. it's a big hobby to sign up for at 13 but hugely rewarding. I am impressed!

Oh, then no way spend over $2000ish for a pin! Mods are a loser in retaining their value also. Unless they make the game better to play. This is easy then. Just buy a highly rated pin in the $2200ish or under range. These will hold their value for the future because they will be on want lists for entry level newbies starting their collections and still be wanted by more experienced collectors.
Here we go - the Getaway, World Cup Soccer, Fish Tales, Whirlwind, Earth Shaker, Black Knight 2000, Jurassic Park, Tales From The Crypt, Judge Dreed, Bride of Pinbot, Terminator 2, Taxi, Dr. Who, and Stargate. These pins will all hold their value and are fun and popular.
Your welcome.

Does your dad have any machines?

$900-1200?

Pretty cheap......and you get what you pay for.

I am one of the few apologists for SF2, but that may be because it was one of the first pins I played and really understood since I had a frame of reference (The games, obviously). Despite it being pretty universally reviled, I still have some fun with it.

Even if it's your cash, you should ask a parent to help you do the deal. Lots of good reasons for this, but the biggest is your safety.

Yeah there's no reason to state your age when responding to an ad, some people may feel odd taking thousands of dollars from a teenager.

For TOM? That's a pretty good price if it's nice

A TOM that needs a little TLC and a shop job goes for around 4k... I would go look at that one for sure. If it's in good shape, no errors and just needs a cleanup/shop job I'd make an offer on it. A nice, good condition, fully shopped TOM will go for around 5k.

I can't get the link for the ad in San Antonio to work, but yeah 4,700$ if in good shape is pretty reasonable.

First things first! Go to Pinballz Arcade up in Austin!! They have 100 DMD and SS pins and you can try them all. I was on a business trip to Austin for a few weeks last month, and though I had died and gone to heaven. They had to kick me out every night at midnight closing.

They are all for sale also, but have a retail markup. (there is also Pinballz Kingdom in Buda, TX but I was not a fan of that place)