Crofton, MD
So you live in Maryland (or nearby) and want to buy a pinball machine for your basement arcade.
This thread is a guide on how and where to buy machines in the local area as well as a few buying considerations about owning pins. I get the same questions a few times a month from people new to the hobby in the area so you are not alone.
Before purchasing your first machine I would highly recommend trying as many different pinball machines as possible.
I started a thread about locations in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area available here that is full of pictures. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/maryland-location-play-club
Go to CrabtownUSA (http://www.crab-towne.com/) in Glen Burnie Maryland, Mom's Organic Market in College Park Maryland (yes, the grocery store... hidden on the left beside the freezers) and Spinners in Frederick (https://www.spinnerspinball.org/) have over 100 vintage pinball machines and maybe 100 arcades between them. There are many other smaller locations in the area that can be found at https://pinballmap.com/ and at https://pinside.com/pinball/map/mapbox#4/39.5/-98.35/0/26
Trying out many different pinball machines may lead you to discover that you prefer games from a specific era. Some people want the latest and greatest while others fall in love with 80s games. I would strongly recommend that for a first pin you buy a game you have played before and know that you like.
Pinside (https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds), facebook marketplace, and craigslist (annapolis.craigslist.org link ) are the great places to buy pins from fellow hobbyists.
Don't forget to check for pinball selling groups on facebook as well as the regional for sale ads on pinside specifically here https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/northeast-us-for-sale-thread/page/465#post-6753585 and here https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/whats-fs-in-maryland-right-now-maryland-fs-thread/page/299#post-6752494
Ebay is still a thing but deals are few and far between.
Meeting people at pinball league nights is a great activity and is a good place to meet new friends, have fun, and possibly find your first pin. I’m not a league guy, but Crabtownusa hosts tournaments (Tuesday nights I think?) and the Free State Pinball Association http://www.fspazone.org/ hosts tournaments and leagues throughout the area.
Local(ish) dealers of used pins with brick and mortar stores include
http://www.coinopdoc.com/ (Baltimore)
https://www.royalflushamusements.com/ (Baltimore)
https://tntamusements.com/ (Philadelphia)
There are others which I am sure will be linked to below but these are the ones I am familiar with and can vouch for.
New pins
https://agsarcadegamesales.com/ (A local distributor of Kent island, can order a pin from them)
https://www.pinballstar.com/ (Pennsylvania distributor of everything but Stern)
There are many other new pinball distributors, but these places are local and I personally know people who have used them and had great experiences.
I would strongly advise you to browse through this thread on scam sites before buying from a distance https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-scam-game-seller-websites
Also be very weary of putting up a want ad on Facebook or Pinside, then paying someone across the country to ship it to you that you don’t know that has little to no reputation. If you were in the middle of nowhere this might be your only options, but you live in a pinball paradise.
If you make a deal with someone and go to pickup in person, make them leave it set up. You will want to play test and make sure it is working as described. Playfield wear may or may not be a big deal to you, but should be reflected in the price. If you make a deal with someone to pick up a pin and they have “conveniently wrapped it up for you” that is a huge red flag and the only time I was ever scammed. The point of picking up a game in person is to make sure it works as described and is as described. A good seller will want to verify that it works when you take possession as sometimes pins that have been sitting in the same spot 5 years suddenly break when being moved.
If you are not in a rush a great place to find a game is at the Pinfest in Allentown in May http://www.pinfestival.com/ or at the York show in October. http://www.theyorkshow.com/ These are pinball shows at convention centers where there are usually hundred(s) of pins hobbyists bring from home, many of which will be for sale/trade. The best deals are usually found really early, or as people are packing up.
I personally do all of my own maintenance on pinball machines, but people have had good luck working with the people who maintain games for Crabtown (look at their out of order signs for contact info) and with Coinopdoc. There may be others but this is who I can personally vouch for. Note that this is the best time ever for pinball parts and many new parts are being made for old machines. Check out https://www.marcospecialties.com/control/main and https://www.pinballlife.com/ for parts. Also note that if you have issues they make new electronic boards for 40 year old machines now, and there are many mail your board in for repair places with services advertised on Ebay.
Non Maryland specific advice:
Your pinball wants and budget will be very different from everyone else’s. I would highly recommend posting an “introduction” on pinside and just ask for advice on what you should get. Lots of people on here have fun nerding out giving recommendations on pinball machines. My go to first pin recommendations (especially for those with kids) are Pinbot, World Cup Soccer, Stern Star Trek or whatever brand new pin you want if you have the budget.
Also note that a pinball purchase is not a long term decision. If you make a detailed ad and price it reasonably you will get offers. I have had up to 50 offers on a single machine, and have bought/sold/traded/rotated 30+ machines through my basement in the past 3ish years. When you get tired of it, someone else will want it and they hold their value (or appreciate) well. I literally have someone coming to my house with another pinball machine, taking the old one out, and paying me extra cash for the privilege this weekend... The most I have ever lost on a pinball machine is $500.
The used pinball marketplace is competitive at the moment. I have had over 50 offers on a single machine before (not typical), and usually have a deal within hours, not days on fairly priced pinball machines. If you want a pin and are buying from a fellow hobbyist, you will need transportation, a dolly, and cash to buy the pin… yes… a stack of $20 for a $5,000 machine… If you are here and new, you have no clout or reputation. State in your offer where you live, when you can pick it up, and your cash offer. You want to make an offer in the first day if not the first few hours if the machine is a good deal. Most of the pins on pinside (in this area) that have been around more than a few days are not necessarily good deals. “Your Torpedo Alley looks sweet! I live in Dover so if cash works I can be there this weekend most anytime with cash to inspect and pickup, alternatively I can add $300 if you can deliver and help me setup in my walk in basement (no steps) in Dover this weekend”. This offer will get you a response. “Is this available? Do you take Paypal? Will you ship?” will generally get you a less interested response. There is nothing wrong with asking questions, but if one message is 20 questions and no offer and another is an offer, who do you think will get the pin? “Needy” buyers are a huge turnoff to some folks. About 1 in 10 of my pinball sales are to a first time buyer and I personally don’t have an issue with it, but many others do (and you should avoid them if that comes to light).
All in all the pinball hobby is a great hobby and I for one welcome you into it. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or just put your thoughts below. Others are of course to throw their advice and experience below.
Welcome!
