No. That is exactly my point. The HEP label alone tells you little (or at least it tells me little). It could be loaded with reproduced parts, correct?? If it was 100% all original I would put a higher value on it too. But you guys are only arguing the value of the "HEP label" by itself.

There is little doubt that HEP restorations are very desirable for some. Although, I don't know if it's really realistic to expect to get the same amount of money out of the game that you put into it (to HEP) when you go to resell. We'll see. How long has this been for sale now?

I also prefer natural beauties over restorations (but own/love both). I've never understood why anyone would send a NIB Stern to HEP for "restoration". Folks who do this REALLY have money to burn!

It isn't realistic. I own a HEP AFM that weighed in @ 12.5k IIRC. I'd be lucky to get 9-10k for it. Not a big deal, since I'm not selling it.

You seem to have missed the point, Chris will do what you want. If you insist on all original parts, that's what he will do. If it's impossible to attain the parts, he will refuse the job. Every HEP is done to the owners wishes, and thus the difference in pricing on the same title. The HEP label certainly has value, but you can have a 6k HEP or a 16k HEP strictly depending on the work and material required to meet the owners expectations, but both will be built to his high standards.

No, it seems to be you that is missing my point. So nevermind. GLWS, free bumps.

Maybe, maybe not. I have only had 2 NIB Stern experiences, one was LOTR back in 2003 and the other POTC. The clearcoating job on the LOTR was poor. The POTC was much better but still not as I like them.

The LOTR got stripped, cleared, wetsanded and buffed after only 6 months. After assembly the game sat for 6 months unplayed to allow the clear to fully harden. Played the crap out of it for a few years with very minimal ball dimpling.

Unfortunately I had to sell it a few years ago as I needed the funds, but I'd love to see how it has held up.

I have not done the POTC yet, but it will happen unless I sell it first. I do all of my own clearing so the cost is not such a big deal.

All of that being said, I have sworn that if I ever buy another NIB Stern I will play it a few times to make sure there are no issues, then strip it and clear it from the get go. I look at it as insurance that the playfield will hold up over the years and minimize wear and tear down the road.

Michael

Not sure where or why the debate started but anything you need to know from NIB,HUO to total trash can be seen here.Covers 2006 to 2015.
http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/Examples-of-the-restoration-process

Can you point us to two examples? One NIB and one total trash. I certainly spent a lot of time looking at your albums and found them to be an endless source of inspiration, but I can't easily tell which one showed up NIB and which one qualified as the bottom of the pit.

Thanks a lot.

Pretty sure what started the debate was the fact that this pin is sweet and out of somebody's budget

You can check out his TAF Prototype restore for an example of a trashed one: http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album582

I remember him doing an Iron Man NIB which I thought was crazy. Be sure to check out his King Kong threads on Pinside for some neat reads.

I know I'd love to have any of the machines in his gallery, HEP does some amazing work for sure...

I know one thing, I would give a kidney for a HEP Medusa. One day it will happen for me!

Eeek,, I just hope it's willing and you wake up in a hospital and not a bathtub full of ice... lol

I never said my kidney!!!! Just a kidney.

In that case, "Your Victims Kidney" lol

NIB Diner.
http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album319

NIB IM
http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album408

Are just a couple examples and represent two totally different approaches.

I am literally salivating over the NIB Diner. Very cool.. I was also not too surprised to see that the original cup had yellowed after 25 years in the box. Where did the new one come from?

If it was my game, I would have stripped it and clearcoated it right then and there. That way the pf would look like that forever.

Michael

Back on topic, bump for sale

$9999.99

I'll cover the extra penny if you go through with it.

I would but I hate Elvira. (gasp!)

I'm not a huge Elivra fan either but her shtick combined with the shots and humor on this pin make it work.

GLWS!

Very interesting and thanks a lot for taking the time to document this. For one, I had no idea you couldn't clear coat over the NIB Diner playfield.

bimp

Bump..

Boff

It was a beauty! And I did play it. You should have told me you wanted it. It was within grasp just a few months ago...

http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album344