Uh yeah I'd probably pass in that case.

Hopefully the seller and his father work on their communication issues.

You guys expect a lot from Joe average with a $1000 game that looks like it has sat for decades. This is basically a barn find, you don't dick around with calls and expect the guy to take a bunch of pictures. You show up with cash, take a look and see if you can make a deal. He said it was local and you certainly don't long haul for a project F-14. If I was the seller I would respond with the time and place and that is it.

I would struggle to pay 1,000 for that.

Ignorant and condescending? Nope.

I would've snagged it at $1k. I'm curious how fun it is. Haven't played one since I was a kid.

Exactly. Pass.
What century is the seller from again?

1D4C9C47-13E5-4C75-8339-3222CD82854C (resized).jpeg

Shot you a PM

Have him take a video of the game playing.

Just stop over thinking this and go buy the game. It obviously boots and you have 4 good displays your already way ahead of the game for a project to work on. Yes your new but you will not loose on this game if you get it home and it turns out to be overwhelming just post it here as 1500 project game and it will be gone.

Once you gain experience and understand pricing value and opportunity in this hobby you’ll think back and wish you had bought this one.

Yeah, I'd definitely go for this game if I could.

I really don't understand this. The delta is $100, which is nothing for pinball. If it's local, why do you need to trust the seller. There is zero risk unless you are worried about getting robbed at gun point. Look at it and if it is isn't to your satisfication walk, if it is then cash on the glass and load. You'll know after looking at and playing how usable it is right now.

If you come across anther SS or DMD in this price range and even think enough to post a PS thread. It will be gone. They guys that get games for this money are the ones that can be there right now, cash in hand and a truck.

800 MAX!

Its not really as much of an issue of a seller being shady as much as it is a seller not having any idea about pinball. It's clear that they have had this thing sitting around forever, checked some ebay prices and then posted what they thought was a fair deal. Then after a bunch of messages they probably realized pinball is a hot market but still not knowing anything they thought they could get even more out of it.

It plays perfect and turns on ect. No it doesn't. They don't know the difference between good or decent condition. They don't know what having a game sit for years in humidity with batteries in the board does to a game. They just know they have a game and there's a lot of interest. Its a story as old as time. It hasn't sold yet because anyone interested understands the situation better than them. To them, it turns on and makes noises therefore its in good shape. In reality though, its a pretty major project that needs A LOT of work.

I don't reccomend this game for a newbie trying to get into the hobby, but if you insist on getting it don't pay a penny over 1k and i'd struggle at that. To me this is a 600-800 dollar game but the market these days IS crazy. It hasn't sold yet, and the seller is walking back his big talk. There's a reason for that.

Let's say you pay 1k for this. You're gonna have at least 600 bucks into making it playable and probably more like 1k. 1500-2000 to make it somewhat nice. That's a 2500-3k f14 that you would struggle to get back out of it once you're ready for something new. I'd rather just spend that money on a game that's already ready to go and save myself a bunch of headaches, especially as a new pinball owner.

Yeah, but a normal order from Cointaker, Comet, Titan, etc. can easily be $100 and is money quickly forgotten. Your math is for a flip to not lose money. Good prices are hard to find right now. A few hundred bucks shouldn't stop a motivated buyer. It can be a long time for something that may actually be flippable (meaning game flips and plays) for this money unless it's an EM.

I think someone probably already looked at it and passed and now they are back tracking.

Eeeeyikes, I tend to steer clear of ads like that in general - the all caps, typos, amazing price,.. but then the auction bs on top and I’m definitely out. Adding that he’s ex convict.. even sketchier.

In general though- the problem with the rare great deal is that you have a 1% chance of being that first caller that can get there cash in hand to pickup that day and the seller has to be an honest dude/gal. Otherwise it’s a pick best offer free for all.

I hear you and you're not wrong but there's also the point where a game becomes a money pit and the juice is just not worth the squeeze. If it was a highly desirable or somewhat rare game it becomes more worth it but we're talking about an f14 here. You can make the argument that it's more about the journey and not the destination. A learning or fun experience just do to it. I've been there and done that many times and i respect it. I just would not reccomend it in this case but if OP was to do it, its fine. I just think there's better options for a first timer out there.

I won't call him shady, but i do feel the seller has questionable character. Having a lack of pinball knowledge doesn't excuse insisting a machine that looks like it's weathered a hurricane is 'in great shape and perfect condition' when any moron can see that that's not the case. Stating a price, accepting an offer and then raising the price may not be shady, but it indicates ignorance, greed, a lack of morals and someone that can't be trusted. Call me an old school throw back, but I believe a person is only as good as his word and this seller speaks with a forked tongue.

I linked the OP with a couple deals near us that are NOT this machine, hoping he gets either and updates the thread.

It looks like they have done a lot of work on this one. Looks like a new playfield, plastic set and a clear ramp from freeplay40 ( he does great ramps, I have one on my High Speed) The stop light has been modded and put in the corner. Looks like full LED lights. The circuit boards look clean. Looks like they started to do some work on the cabinet. I am guessing in the 3K to 4k range..... High Speed is a fun system 11 pin.

That is a fun game. Not a bad way to start.

The guy with the F-14 Tomcat also has this for sale:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/1269973797
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THIS IS A REAL,LEGITIMATE, BONAFIDE,ORIGINAL JEAN PRISON JACKET THAT IS ISSUED AND DISTRIBUTED AMONGST THE INMATE POPULATION IN THE CALIFORNIA DEPT.OF CORRECTIONS.ITS ACTUALLY THE SAME JACKET I WORE MYSELF WHILE DOING OVER 10 YEARS IN SOME OF CALIFORNIAS MOST BLOODIEST,DANGEROUS,NOTORIOUSLY VIOLENT, AND INFAMOUS LEVEL- 4 (maximum security) PRISON YARDS.NEEDLES TO SAY THIE JACKET OF MINE HAS QUITE SOME HISTORY TO IT AND HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN BATTLE SEVERAL TIMES,INCLUDING A HANDFUL OF STABBINGS,RACE RIOTS, FIST FIGHTS,AND HAS BEEN SOAKED IN PEPPER SPRAY AND COVERED IN TEAR GAS.IT ALSO HAS ACCOMPANIED ME TO "THE HOLE " (solitaire).DURING MY DECADE SPENT BEHIND BARS ;TECHNICALLY 3,523 DAYS IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE THIS JACKET DID KEEP ME WARM BUT WAS UNABLE TO THAW MY HEART AS THE YEARS WENT BY TURNING MY HEART AND SOUL DARK,BLACK AND UGLY.
THE T-SHIRT IS NOT AS COLORFUL AS MY JACKET WITH ALL KINDS OF HISTORY BEHIND IT....ITS JUST A L.A COUNTY JAIL ISSUED T-SHIRT.

It's a pretty sick piece honestly, but his description scares me. He's trying to sell the authenticity but it just makes him look crazy. It being in all caps doesn't help his case either

I love that era of games but in my opinion F-14 sn't that fun. I would pass on it.

Edit: saw you are looking at a high speed instead, probably a better choice yes.

I’d take pinball over being shanked too. Yes good choice…

F14 is a ball buster. May not be he best first machine.
High speed is good all around.
If the High Speed is in your price range, that’s probably a better choice.

The way things are, I’d jump on a $1100 F14 project. Projects around here have become very hard to find - haven’t found a good deal in 5 years.

70-80% of what the seller is asking. Unless they are asking too much, then could be lower.
This one just sold with an asking price of $3100: https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/119623

I just recently sold my f14, it's not a machine for a small collection, or if your not into the theme. It's fast, but can be frustrating.

Great looking machine once things have been fixed up, and there's alot floating around.

I don't think I like anything about this High Speed other than the playfield condition. On the High Speed I am not sure If would even offer $2k. The cabinet is the big issue unless you don't care how it looks. The cab needs a complete stencil and re-paint restoration. Here is another one of those terrible LED jobs. I hate it when people put all dark colors in the G.I. lights. It's so annoying because is darkens up the playfield and makes it harder to play unless you keep a bright light over the playfield. I usually rip out these type of LED jobs and put the correct bulbs back in. Not a fan of the clear ramp, the custom bumper caps, custom shooter rod, or the painted lock bar and side rails. To me this all degrades the game. I prefer the original factory look and feel. I would have put more time and money puting this game back to its original glory days than to gaudy it up.

Hope it turns out good!

It is kinda funny how the F-14 cab is planked so bad but the Highspeed had seen the same humidity he just sanded the cabinet. The new playfield is great but everything else is about the same condition as the F-14. Both are exactly what I would expect for unrestored games that age. Highspeed will be less work for sure with the playfield done but it’s also going to at least double probably triple the money.

I agree. Both of these games need the same cab restoration. The F-14 is the better deal over the High Speed. The F-14 is for sale for $1,200 currently and the High Speed is listed for $3k which is way to much in that condition. The High Speed is going to need some money dumped into it to restore the cab so now you are over $3k. Even with dumping more money into the F-14 you would still be under the money and get the better deal in the end.

He might have been able to talk him down from $3k, and if he likes what was done to the game so far then it's a positive for him, not a negative as you described it. OP seems less interested in a full project, as it's his first game, and isn't looking at it from purely a monetary perspective like you or I might who are more experienced

I personally like the way the cabinet art looks, it looks like a worn-down crosswalk or something to that effect. I personally don't like the LEDs and shooter rod but that can be changed. Preemptive congrats on your pickup

I think you're making a good decision and that price is fair. I think high speed is a better starter/single game than f14 as well.

2 things
He used then instead of than
Called you “my boy”

Red flags for days

Agree about pop bumpers and shooter looking meh.. but saying the cab has to be restored I disagree with. It certainly could be restored if you wanted to but no reason to if you just want to play the hell of out the game as a new owner. Probably worth it down the road if you wanted to sell though.

Anyway, much better choice over that f14 IMO.. good work!

Gang tats and prison wear are my red flags…

Yeah it’s better to get that one but not for $2600 with that cab

So OP, did you get it!???

Thats all that matters!!
Now what's your next pin, because everyone know they multiply.

You’ll have fun with your High Speed. It’s a great game!!!