Collecting pinball machines is just like everything else.

Take classic cars for instance.

There are those who like drivers and there are others who like trailer queens.

There are those who like restoring cars and there are others who would rather buy one already restored.

There are those who only like unmolested survivors and others who like pimped-out pro street cars.

There are those who are only in it to flip cars and there are others who put more money into one than they could resell it for but don't care because they plan to keep it.

Nothing new here.

Just like pinball you will have jealous people with "drivers" who attempt to belittle the rich guys with trailer queens or Supercars.

Of course then you will also have the snobby people with rare and expensive cars who look down upon someone who isn't as privileged who owns a less-desirable car.

....and on and on...............................

You can basically pick any hobby and it's all the same. Nothing new here. The OP was simply stating the obvious.