In before the lox

In before the loch.

Got my plaice already.

The OP must be getting a ray of hope from all this post activity...

This is bullshark. I'm buying it and reselling it for 50,000 clams.

intermission.gif

Sea faring Bidet.

Holy mackerel! This isn't sold yet?

OP is looking for a pin- whale to bite - hook, line & sinker.

Holy Mackerel this is a dumb thread !

10k by Christmas!

Dear Cod! Can't you people behave!

I want to buy this.. anybody here a loan shark?

What are you angling at?

This is sardinely a rare fish--don't let it swim away! Reel it in while you have the opportunaty!

3 pages, 1 post from the OP, I think this ship has sailed?

It wasn’t a rock, was a rock lobster.

Everyone’s been very octopi’d with their sea puns.

This thread is getting sofishticated...

I'm not sure if this thread is worthy of any serious input, but I did a little digging, and it's not a scam or a joke. I spoke with someone who helped deliver this very game. He's a reputable collector, and a Pinsider. He knows who the seller is, and it's a legitimate offer.

I guess he's off the hook then...

The value in this thing is that it’s rare.

It looks like a reproduction could be made from scratch by a dedicated hobbyist for less than $10k. It’s so simple.

If it’s rarity that gives it value, then why offer it for $25k?

People who have that much money to blow $25k on this thing are rich so might as well try for $2.5M.

I mean, why not chance it that some old money or Elon Musk type wants it, someone who doesn’t even notice $2.5M.

The OP is leaving money on the table. Very atypical for pinball 2022.

So why all the hooey of a NOOB account?

Here's a link to a posting of my Mermaid from four years ago. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1951-gottlieb-mermaid

In the thread is a video I made at that time and it shows some of the game play and backbox animation. Those of you who know me realize that I make videos of gameplay and post them not only on my channel, but allow them on other sites, such as Pin Rescue's. This is not the same game that is currently for sale.

A search through my posts here on Pinside (and Pinball Owners, etc.) are mostly for the woodrails, the era that I collect mostly. It is a niche hobby - not as large a following for games from the 50's, but perhaps for us old-timers a preference for the more simplistic games, relative to the dizzying bells, music and sound effects of the modern games. Clearly, only so many were made originally, and with no thought ever that they'd become collectible, they were quickly trashed after the operators got their money back. For some of us who desire these games, (who knows how many are left?), it's worth the effort to restore the games to their former glory.

The game that I have is completely original - playfield, bumper caps, backglass, legs, cabinet, even the schematic. Although operating, I wanted to have it completely gone over and restored. Playfield paint judiciously touched up, only the front coin door and surround repainted, animation unit repainted, but the primary effort was bringing all steppers, switches and mechanicals to the best they can be:

My game is not for sale and I have thanked, but politely declined offers in the $20+K range...

If I bought this, my wife would make me walk the plank-ton.

False, as usual. There's like 60 spacelab games and it's worth 500 bucks because it's a piece of shit.

Why does everybody have to bring up Elon Musk these days when making a dumb point that makes zero sense?

Is he the new cars? The Muskgument? Do people think they instantly sound smarter if they mention Elon Musk?

Well, if I was not a Pinside member, and had a valuable game to sell, I'd look to find some place to post an ad which would give it a lot of exposure. In order to post an ad on Pinside, you have to become a member. Thus, the new account.
I can smell a scam as well as anyone, but this seemed legit to me all the way.
As far as the $25K price tag, hey, if someone wants to pay it, good for him. He'd likely accept considerably less, but I don't blame him for starting on the high side.

Tulip bulb craze.

Again, why go through the trouble and seeming deception to create a new account?

You misunderstand. The seller was not previously a Pinsider.
The person I spoke with is, and knows of the game and the seller personally.

Do you happen to have an actual video of the backbox animation, or is it just that photo slideshow? I was interested in seeing it operate, but didn't spot any videos in a cursory search.

Seriously. I kind of want to see it more now more than anything in the world.

Maybe it's some kind of conspiracy by the Mermaid owners to keep the value of their games up. The only way to see the animation is to lay out $25K for one. Elon Musk is likely involved somehow.

It is in Philly?
I'd trade maybe 15 Wedge Heads, but I don't think $25,000 worth.

Hey why don't you call Elon Musk and see if he wants to buy it.

The VFW has one beautifully restored with one of the 10-ish *Clay* commissioned preproduction playfields.

It's interesting to play for a few games, but that's about it.

IMHO, game play is *meh*

By the mid 50's, Mermaid was surpassed (game play wise) by other notable games.

I'm sure Levi would hook you up.

Better chance it goes to Eel-on Muskie.

BOOOM!

Hi,
In my post, I posted a link to an earlier thread I created in Pinside. In the thread is a video that I made that shows game play and backbox animation. Those familiar with my videos know that I like to start them off with an old video clip that may be related to the theme of the game. Perhaps the embedded video isn't playing on your device. Here is the video by itself. The backbox animation is around 2:34

36 downvotes on his ad at this point. Can I ask, WHY??? Jealously maybe, or just plain ignorance? Here's a guy who has a rare, desirable, and collectable woodrail pinball machine. As far as I know, he's not really a pinball guy. Maybe just bought this game as an investment. I know how much he paid for it (not cheap!). I guess he realizes he's not going to do anything with it, so he's offering it for sale. Figured he'd go on a respectable and popular pinball forum; Pinside. So, he opens an account, and posts an ad. All he gets, for the most part, is negativity, sarcasm, and immature commentary. Many Pinsiders I've known over the years no longer bother to post, and only occasionally lurk. They all give the same reason; immature jerks who have nothing constructive to contribute. I have to say, I'm disappointed in many of you who have posted here. Do you think this guy feels he's had a positive experience here on Pinside? I would think not. For shame!

25k and super lame code

Yeah, "code". People like you have no perspective. You think the modern games came out of nowhere. Respect where they came from, and the genius people who WERE pinball back in the day.

Lighten up pal, it was a joke, and I’m very familiar with all eras of pinball.

Don’t forget to shake your fist at some clouds after you read this.

I shook my fist at the rain at Pinfest; you can be sure of that!

They literally do.

Well, parts of them do, I guess.

Looks like he’s climaxing. Now that’s my kind of game.

Sorry dad...

That's ok. Just more ignorance.
You don't have any appreciation for the roots of the games you enjoy today. There are some of us who are still around, and thankfully some very young pinball enthusiasts who appreciate the games of the distant past, and realize what rare treasures they are at this point in time. Go ahead and live for today.
Like so many young people today, they think the world started the day they were born.