Why someone would consider driving across the country for a specific game that they have not played in person is beyond me.

No two games play the same.

Maybe if you prefer to have other Pinsiders tweak and mod your games just the way you want, I guess that makes sense... but probably only if you have history with the OP.

Shouldn't you be able to find a great BSD in CA... or at least on the West coast, if you had 6K to spend?

Lot of assumptions here...

I have bought over 100 in person, so what to you?

I realize this is rhetorical.

Why would I think that?

I don't think that's the case with either question. I generally fix my own machines as well as a dozen of my friends machines and typically, I do not charge anything at all. Too bad you are in Virginia. lol. Pinball is all fine and good, but it's not really about the pinball.. it's more fun when people with similar interests get together and play the same game... Even still with this thing called life, it's just not THAT important.

My comment was not made to dissuade anyone from doing anything. It was made because games of the same title are similar enough that, you can essentially "make them how you want" or pay someone else to do that for you, as you so kindly pointed out. Seems a silly venture across a country to obtain something where you have only seen dark pictures of the item on the web. If someone is THAT particular about a certain thing, why not go local to find one?

While I meant no ill feelings to anyone at all, I do not regret making the comment.

Contrary to your other comments, I HAVE bought machines without even seeing PICTURES of them. In that case, it's important to just keep expectations low so you can never be disappointed.