I got into pinball through The Pinball Arcade.
It never really appeared to me that I could just straight up buy a pin because where I live there are no pinballs.
Playing virtual pinball and watching a ton of PAPA videos, including all the tutorials, the desire to buy one grew larger. If I ever wanted to play pinball in real life on a table that isn't in some bowling centre that's likely defunct anyway I had to get one myself.

I've never played a Williams Warlok before and I believe the number of people who have isn't that large either. All I knew was that I wanted drop targets and spinners on an early solid state. Three banks of three targets, three spinners, bonus collect, rare pin and an affortable price made me go for it.
I don't regret it at all.

I think that if you know what you like on a table you don't have to have played it before you buy it. Just check out a video to make sure there aren't any sounds that would drive you crazy.