I may have an opportunity to put my first pin on route in a local pizza joint. It would be a very advantageous earnings split which hopefully will make my first foray into this a little more rewarding. I'm leaning towards something new and a pro (Kiss vs. GoT vs. Metallica vs. IM vs. something else.) There is already a TWD pro on route in my area so would rather do something different. My initial thought would be to start with one and add an additional if it looks like it would be profitable. At that point rotate in new pro pins a couple of times a year and either sell the routed pin or add it to my personal collection to eventually have a very nice large collection which has been at least in part offset in cost.

Just FYI...this is not something I'm looking to get rich with and is VERY secondary to my life. Any funds I do make would basically be to offset my hobby costs and to increase local pin availability.

Also, I've heard that bill acceptors can really help revenue. Not sure how true this is.

Any suggestions from you veterens? I'd like thoughts on income but also maintenance ease.

Was working on that today. I knew I needed a stamp which is only $10/machine. Not bad at all. However, I will also need a $500/year coin operated amusement license which may just put this whole idea out of commission. Not sure if that is worthwhile for only one machine.

Any thoughts with that?

Of course I would get it. Does the $500/year offset what I could potentially make is what I wonder. As I have never done this before I truly have no idea what to expect.

For example...if the pin brings in $500/ year (net to me) and all of it goes to taxes then that is pointless. But if the pin brings in $1500 (net to me) then there is still $1000 of profit. I just have no idea what a pin is expected to do financially.

If operators don't want to share that info on a forum post I totally get it. Feel free to PM with any information you'd like kept confidential but still helpful to me.

Both very valid points. I certainly understand there are no guarantees. On the other hand, trying to do some due diligence before starting something is certainly worthwhile and wise. I would guess there are averages and data that is generally known and that is all I was looking for. Also, I'm sure experience has shown what type of pins and what type of schedule to rotate them are most advantageous.

No sense in me trying to re-invent the wheel, so to speak. I just want to learn as much as I can before I make the plunge.