So the location on Pinside says it’s in Grand Rapids, MI. Your location says Chicago, IL.

Can you clarify where the game is physically located?

Thanks. Pm incoming.

Is vacation America now a sought-after game?! Crazy how times change.
I think it’s neat, but I’m surprised how it’s gone up.

he's only asking $1200. how much was it new?

I think 1600. Bill of materials was like 850 for cgc? Took 8 hours to build.

This thing holds a unique place in pinball history. Like the seller said, last Kordek game and first CGC game. At a fraction of the price of MMR! Cool machine for the true pinball historian/collector. GLWS.

is the coin door upside down? or did they intentionally put the lock on the left side?

I am not sure why but yes they put it on the left-hand side. They were definitely working through some things, possibly with the intention of producing more machines.

My ad 5 years ago.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-vacation-america-chicago-coin-2003
It is interesting and kind of unique. I'm not trying to crap on OP's ad, but after owing it and playing it there's no way I'd pay over $1k for it. It's good for banging the ball around a few times, but it gets old really quick. The call outs and sounds will really grate on you.

It is one of those games that hopefully you'll run into someone that has it so you can play it, mark it off the list of games you wanted to play, move on and never look back.

I thought it retailed around $3000.

It’s a forum ad and you can say what you want...but like, why say “I’m not trying to shit all over the ad” and then follow it up by shitting all over the ad?

Either shit or don’t shit but the disclaimer seemed pretty hollow. You don’t actually get credit for “not trying” to shit over something when you shit it on it anyway. It still counts as shitting!

Your memory is good, it was $3000. It is a full-size and heavy machine, although weighing slightly less than a modern Stern.

https://www.chicago-gaming.com/discontinued/vacation-pinball

It was Doug's project, someone should have asked him about it on the last Spooky Podcast!

They did discuss this and he says retail was 1695

Well he’s wrong.

Here’s an old post. Ray from action pinball says retail is $3,000 and they were selling it for $2,800.

2914E7AA-7486-40B9-BFF5-D103D5010B65 (resized).jpeg

If I wanted to shit on the ad I would have said the OP is fucking nuts and the game isn't worth more than $400, and nobody should even consider ever purchasing it. But I didn't, I was polite and gave what I thought was constructive criticism. We act a little differently here in the midwest I guess. If I want to shit on an ad, you'll have not doubt I'm taking a dump. Kinda like my response to your post.

Well we find ourselves at an impasse.

Let’s ask the seller. Seller, did you enjoy the charming and friendly mid-western “constructive criticism” offered by the Stangbat? Did you appreciate that he told you he didn’t mean to crap all over you post?

This is important! Awaiting your feedback.

I missed him talking Vacation America. But I remember they were less than Stern machines at the time but not half the price.

His quote even said just that. Half of what any new game cost at that time.

I mean it’s the exact same as that half-in-the-bag guy at a party who says “not trying to be a dick, but...” or that guy in the office that says “no disrespect, but...” it’s like some sort of carte blanche to then shit over the topic at hand.

I really need to get better at it. “I’m not trying to be a dick... but the next thing I say is going to be whole heartedly dick-ish”

Wish you were closer. It is hard to go wrong on a $1200 game.

I know Doug was excited at the time for their first machine and if memory serves there were plans for another soon after. It might have taken some time, but CGC has shown what they can do in terms of producing machines.