This situation goes past buying pinball games and is generally a life lesson. As an example I will use buying a car or leasing an apartment. Want that apartment in the nice neighborhood with a great price or that used car? Well a lot of people likely want the same thing you want because it doesn't come up that often. Putting money down on said object is laying down a lot more claim than saying "I want X". Yeah you and the next guy who says the same thing. Once you put down money though, you are a SERIOUS buyer and not another CL troll. Cash talks as they say! Even a credit card number would work across state lines. Don't give out the security code for obvious reasons. What does a hotel ask you when you reserve a room?