Hi all

I'm currently shopping for my first machine, and I have a couple of tough choices to make. All the machines are roughly in the same shape, near mint for most of them. Locations vary greatly though.

My choices:
Indiana Jones 93' (would have to have it shipped from the States @ $525)
Theater of Magic (6 hours away, I could pick it up)
Twilight Zone (2.5 hours away, I could pick up)

Questions for you all:
Any idea what customs will ding me for bringing a machine up to Canada?
Of the three, which would you prefer? Game play wise.
Anyone have any dealings buying from the Mr. Pinball Classifieds?

They are all fairly close in cost (only 1K separates the lowest to highest). This will be my first pin. I will be looking to add a Creature to my collection as well.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks all for the advice. I'll rule out ToM for now, as I think it is super pretty to look at, but agree that the game play is not as in depth as the other two. I found another IJ, a little closer to home. The cabinet has some fade, but play field is the same. The first one I found, the seller will only take Paypal, and wants the extra 3.5% pay pal fees on top. That adds a nice chunk to an already expensive machine.

I'll report back on my decision. It may come down to cost. I think I can get the IJ for cheaper, even with shipping.

Thanks!

Now I waffle again.

I can actually go, look at and play the TZ, then take it home. The IJ, I pay (via paypal), wait, deal with customs, wait some more, get it home (hopefully!). Both will roughly cost the same after shipping.

Honestly, this is a very tough decision. I will have this pin for awhile, and it's my first one. I feel like it's a choose your own adventure:

Do you a)drive for two hours and come home with a great pin? or b)Send off your money and hope you end up with a great pin in your home?

My waffling cost me. I decided to head out to think this over, and played some LoTR and Sopranos at our local Uni arcade. Got home to find an email saying the TZ is probably sold

Oh well, my hunt continues. If the TZ ends up being for sale, I may grab it. He also has a LoTR, for a little more cash.

I also got a number of a local guy who restores pins. I will talk to him this afternoon, and see what he can find. He already told me it would cost at least 4K for him to get an IJ in, and that is before any restoring.

I would love to find an IJ that needed work. Save some money and spend time doing the restore, with a finished product that I would get years of enjoyment out of. Win/Win.

My eyes are peeled now, cash is in hand. Seems like there are some good deals to be had in the states, alas, I am up in the frozen north.

Talked to one guy in town, and he said him and some friends cleaned out the prairies in the late 90's, restoring and selling them down in the states. He said he sold over a dozen TZ's. I think I missed the hey day here by a few years.

I called the local Coin Op place, and he unloaded his stock of 400 pin's just over three years ago.

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Anyone have any experience with Dr. Scott's Pinball Store? They have a CftBL and an IJ.

The IJ will need new decals, but other wise looks in great shape. The Creature looks great as well.

Quick update. I found an Addams Family local. Needs to be shopped. It was a route piece. I am going to call the owner today to see how much he wants for it. I have no idea how much one of these costs to repair.

Broke: Thanks, I will take a bunch of pics as well. It's in a local guy's shop. He has quoted me $600 for the rebuild + parts.

Donny: Yes, I have been using that. None of the pins I want can be found up here. I have spoken to a guy in Toronto that has a lot of connections. He has my list, hopefully he can find something.

Another update in my continuing quest. I found some more machines local.

MM - he won't sell. It's a route machine and still brings in good coin. If it starts doing worse, he will sell.
TotAN - $2,600. Another route piece. Won't be available for a couple of weeks.
Addams Family - will be ready (shopped) end of Feb. $4,000
Addams Family - was a route piece. Will have a rough clean up, electronics fully working, but that's it. $3,200
LoTR - fully shopped with mods. $5,500

No Creech's, no Indy's. The two I wanted the most. I don't believe I will find these local.

I am making a family trip down to Anaheim in Feb. I will be there for 10 days. Does anyone know of any shops in the area? I could always look while down there, and just have it shipped back.

Thanks!

Hi all

Here are some pics of the pin I am looking at. Photos are at photobucket.

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3556.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Cabinet 1

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3555.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Cabinet 2

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3554.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Top of play field

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3553.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Bottom of play field

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3552.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Display

<img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/smokedog7777/100_3551.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Full Pin

So, it needs a clean up for sure. Can anyone spot anything I may be missing?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Sorry about the gross mark up!

I'm pretty sure legs and glass are included, just not on it right now. I will make sure I run the diagnostics, and have a couple of plays on it to check out all the shots, modes, etc.

It looks like it's had a lot of plays for sure. You can see the wear on the mansion. I may try and talk him down a bit.

Thanks!

Quick update. I picked up TAF. Talked him down a couple hundred. Have it home and set up, just going to wait a day until all the condensation is gone. Can't wait to polish this baby up!

Thanks for all your help!

Hi all

Couple of quick newbie questions. Can any canucks in the house chime in? I went looking for Novus cleaner (#2 and #3), and my grocery store does not carry it, and neither does Canadian Tire. Where do I buy this in Canada?

Also, I will be placing an order online for various sundry parts. I need some bulbs (or may go LED's), some new balls, new insert decals, new rubber kit, etc. What's the best place to order from? I'm looking at speed of delivery, customer service, selection and prices.

Thanks a ton!

Edit: Double Post

Hey

So here it is, in my office at the moment. Our basement needs a re-do, so until that's done this is where it will stay.

I ordered a bunch of parts from Pinball Life. Terry was awesome. I missed a part on my order, emailed him and got it in with my other order, no fuss.

I'll post a follow up when I have it fully shopped. It does need some work (replace DMD, fix the flippers, and really good cleaning), but should come out like a champ. Looking forward to it!

Next up, that TOTAN I was looking at ....

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