Get connected with a few fellow collectors in your area - waiting for the show is a good idea so you can play games first. Patience will pay off. Again, patience will pay off for you in this hobby. Better to spend more on your first machine and get a good 100% working example and you will have much more fun starting out in this hobby (some try to save and buy a project and then never finish = no fun). Always buy in person and best is from a fellow collector that has taken good personal care of their machines. eBay not a good place to start. Retailer selling used games also not great and you could pay double. Ask questions on pinside (as you are doing) as there are lots of helpful folks here. Good luck and welcome to the hobby - best hobby ever!