I'm sure others will chime in with questions. My 2cents - You're in a giant metro area (LA), so you should be able to find one locally with a little patience and save on shipping.

Who is the seller? No harm in posting their user name and maybe others can vouch or not.

I would pass on this. Just like the above commenter said--you live somewhere you should be able to find and purchase one *in person*. There's no shortage of horror stories from folks getting screwed buying from a distance. Just be patient, do your research, and find a game that's close enough to allow you to pick it up or have delivered.

That said, welcome to the hobby! Make room for more, because there *will* be more

Cash on the glass and picking up yourself is the way to go. As previous poster mentioned, you should be able to find a pin near you if you have some patience and keep being on the lookout.

found the sale being referenced, matches pin and feedback stats ,etc.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/109183

I assume he’s referring to this one.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/109183

Verbiage and sentence structure is similar and has a Scared Stiff in his sales history.

Looks legit to me, but then again I don’t know the guy.

joeandsummer if this is the machine look at the sales history as well as the feedback.
Has sold 5 machines in the past and has been a member for 9 years with several post that also seems legit.

Ultimately you have to go with what your comfortable doing and it’s up to you.
I’ve had people give me character references as well as use me as a reference when buying machines (not unusual).
If he’s been on here 9 years some members will know him.

97C939B0-B05D-4DED-8B14-50314A4F67F3 (resized).jpeg

Posted as I was typing.

Wait and find another one. Even if it is legit, the whole situation already sounds like a big headache and the deal isn't even done. I'd walk.

Find a game you can see with your eyes, take home yourself and pay cash for.

^ ^ ^

How does a NIB game have low plays But it does play mint

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/109183

When someone goes on an on about woes me stuff when trying to sell me something and then asks for a shady wire or money order I just run for the nearest exit. Not knowing anything more than the conversation you posted I would say bye bye. Granted I know nothing else about who the seller is, etc......but the way it reads just tastes scammy to me.

Seems like you may have reviewed Vids guide buying and selling games . Escrow only way suggested if you must have long distance touchless purchase . The guide would be good read or reread . Suggest seller review as well . If purchase not properly secured you would be better served looking local .

Bad deals not worth the risk .

Enjoy the day Shane

Go with your gut and there are a lot of machines for sale locally in your area! First time buyer get something new. It should reduce the stress. You can see what you are getting. Newer pins, the main concern is playfield problems (such as pooling). you can look up here to find out concerns. This site is not shy in pointing out quality issues. Otherwise check to see if everything works and look for obvious cosmetic issues (cabinet dings/scratches). there are plenty of reputable owners and sellers. Their Pinside "resume" will help you decide.
Good Luck it is a fun hobby.

It’s easy to get caught up and fall in love with a game, but sometimes you’ve gotta know when to walk. This just seems more complicated than it’s worth. I’d put up a Wanted ad on here and keep searching.
The fomo or “want it now” mentality in pinball is a recipe for headaches and losing money. I’ve learned that the hard way.

You can buy Monster Bash (Classic Edition) new from the manufacturer. There is a link to distributors at the bottom of this page: https://www.chicago-gaming.com/coinop/monster-bash

EDIT: I don’t think new users can reply to threads that are on fire so if joeandsummer has further input it may take a day or two before they can post here again.

Just based on reading the sellers first paragraph, I would walk. Doesn’t sound right to me.

Besides, everyone else is right: cash on the glass...

Best advice: be patient. Buy local (or within driving distance) or buy from a distributor

“Cash on glass” only is BS. Is it preferable? Obviously!

But we are in the middle of the pandemic and with zoom/iPhones you can decently get an idea of the machine virtually. Just make sure you talk on the phone and have confidence in the guy on the other end. There is always a risk but people rarely get burned if they use common sense (like walking away from the shady conversation you posted). With services like STI buying across country is easy.

My tip: use PayPal friends and family to pay for the machine and don’t send the full amount until your shipping provider confirms they are on the premises looking at the machine. Transferring with PayPal is instant.

Cash on the glass or no deal...pandemic or not there are safe ways to do a transaction in person

Wire money
Paypal
Certified check
Nigerian gold
No thank you

Then you’re losing out. A huge % of pinside deals use shipping, the vast majority without issue. Let me guess, you didn’t buy anything online until 2015?

How am I losing out if I can easily sell a game locally with no problem?
WTF does that have to do with ordering online?

Let me guess, you didnt get into pinball until 2020?

It sure does, screams scam to me.

Someone just bout a NIB MBLE the other day. If there are still NIB I would go that route man.

Worst advice given in a long time on pinside. What you advise for shipping security is laughable at best, as for using family and friends any money sent that route is lost forever if anything goes amiss because you have no recourse to get funds returned.

Actually you have the same legal recourse that you do when a cash on glass deal goes wrong.

Paypal will not be very friendly with you when they see you transferring several thousand dollars as F & F. PayPal wants its cut for the service it provides. You are playing with fire.

Not arguing that the money isnt gone once you press the send button. My point is that it offers the same protection of using cash- none.

I don't know how long you have been looking before you decided on Monster Bash, but in that price range, you can have a choice of several nice playing pins. If you are sure MB is what you want, then go for it. But take your time and make sure. You get the "wrong" pin and you will burn out quickly.

However, there is a MB for sale in Lake Elsinore CA. That is on the other side of the mountains and only 99 miles from you. With this one you can see it, feel it, and play it. Then lay your cash on the glass and hire someone local to move it for you, if you cannot move it yourself.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/109276

Using Paypal correctly alleviates the need for legal recourse.

Are you buying a game or this guy’s life story?

I’d find another game to buy.

That doesnt make any sense. A cash deal is done in person with the buyer inspecting the game, playing it a bit, talk to the seller etc.
How is that in any way related to sending someone some money and hoping something shows up?

With all due respect, you should consider a refresher course in writing on how to make a point without leaving anyone confused.

- have a phone call with the seller
- have a video conference to watch him playing the game thoroughly and going through error menus
- ask for detailed photos of under playfield/boards/mechs/playfield
- do not send any money until your shipping person is at the location and confirms he is looking at the game

If you use common sense and take precautions there is very little risk of something going wrong. Biggest risk is the shipping itself.

Dude you should stop, common sense should should tell "you" that.

What shipping company will have the driver look over the game, confirm that you did in fact send the cash, confirm with the seller that he got paid, then wait around for the game to be packed up for shipping?

Lol we are buying $10k toys, there is a baseline lack of common sense to this whole thing.

lol that I can't argue

Pretty much every single one, payment is instant and they aren’t “looking over the game” they are simply confirming that the correct game is there. Have the seller be on a video call showing you the game being wrapped if you want, that works too. This is a lot easier than you think.

I do cash on the glass and I carry/conceal EVERYWHERE I go so it's as secure as I wish it to be.

Post a wanted ad right here on Pinside there are absolutely a lot of pinsiders where you live and likely more than a few that have one or know of one in and around your area.

On the outside chance that you have missed my post in this fast moving thread, there is a MB located 100 miles from you.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/109276

A guy in the MBr thread just bought a NIB LE from somewhere. I think there are still a few available. I just bought a MB CE and could not be happier for $6k. Call Mike at Automated.

What makes you think the seller wants to deal with escrow?

I've been doing this for 20 years and if someone asked me to deal with escrow I'd politely decline.

Like many of the suggestions you'll get on Pinside, the real-world ramifications of escrow for pinball transactions are fairly limited.

As far as monster bash goes, save some money and buy the CE... same game lower price.

Put up a wanted ad and wait a week. I’d forget about the escrow and that game. It just seems like a headache.

This is great advice! Definitely worth a shot.

No problem then. Just have a band (Led Zepplin or any other band you happen to know) send him a check for it.

Buying and selling involving shipping definitely takes trust. If post 5 and 6 is the game you are looking for, a lot of the seller's posts involve shipping questions/comments. Someone has to know him here. The long story seems odd, but what he writes makes a lot of sense and sounds like a nice guy. Yes, con men would come off as sounding trustful and nice though.