To Gottlieb's merit, they sometimes did have interesting ways to incorporate the spinner. I forgot about Fun Park. Neat concept. Buccaneer's spinner is unique to, with that spin and spot feature.

The neatest use of a spinner that I've seen, imho, is Bally's Firecracker.

Playfield is everything to me, if it's a horror show then I'm out. Kickout wear and minor planking won't deter me I'm descent at touchup.

Backglass must be a 7/8 or I'll hate the game.

With Ken and Dave giving me tips my cabinet repainting skillls are pretty good.

Mouse crap and a urine smell is a red flag for me. Cut, chewed or burnt wires are other step back and rethink signs.

Broken or missing plastics can be no big deal or forget it. Are they reproduced and how rare is the game ? Find out if there are there other versions of the playfield in add a ball or replay version . Example Cowpoke and Buckaroo total production 3856 . Flipper Cowboy 1000 With no replay version. But popularity of these games gives you repro plastics.

Also are there Webb or Shay glass available , I always look at this with $500 pins with a so so backglass

I agree too that gameplay is important and and variety. I like drop targets but i like kickout holes and spinners . I'm a huge roto target fan.

Cosmetics, certain colors like pastels and pinks aren't my cup of tea. Team one is a better game than Abra ca Dabra but the artwork blows. Theme too. Cowboys, Poker, Pool, or Space Themes are timeless. Take 3 games like Mibs, Bowling Queen, and Rack a Ball. Marbles? Who plays marbles anymore?? I'll take Bowling Queen over Rack a ball just because I like the head and coin door better.

Backbox animation and metal jewel posts just do It for me.

I am most tolerant of CAB flaws
and would consider most any pin with Cabinet flaws
unless it was termite infested or had extensive wood rot/water damage
to the point of being non repairable or structurally unsound.
Next tolerant of PF flaws
A little wear around the KOHoles and Pop bumpers or flipper rub or insert flames
are OK as long as it is not massive.
Probably want my Backglass to be as near perfect as possible,
but will accept some crazing/crackling of paint or scratches
or some small paint flake or GTB foam tape marks/discoloration,
maybe even a little paint lifting;
but if it gets to be more than 1 sq in, missing in one particular area
or >2-3 sq in in total,
i would be likely to pass unless i know repro BG is readily available.
Again, if i walk up to a game and it is not immediately apparent or glaring right at me
i will tolerate the imperfections.
Again most of my collection is 30 yrs or older
so u can not be too picky.

That's pretty close to my own take on things. However, if there is a game that I really want to own from a gameplay standpoint, I will pick up a tattered version until a better copy comes along.