Put them on location, make them earn their keep.

Flip the odd pin.

Win poker tournaments.

Have an understanding partner.

Second post. That's how I'm paying off some of my pins. Yes, it will take a year or two. Then it comes home, gets shopped out again, and stays put!

When I initially shop them out, I use an eye towards minimizing damage. Put on the protectors, make sure everything is in running order, etc. It's also why I don't worry too much about the cabinets, as they will take abuse on location. And be picky about what location they are at.

Clean them once a week, go by on a night to play them and have pints. I consider that place my 'game room'. Just so happens that it has about 30 TV's running all kinds of sports, I get staff discounts, and cute young women bring me drinks and a cook to cook my food. Life is good!

No license, just a business license ($100 a year).

I think they are happy! More people coming in to drink beer and eat food. We have a monthly tournament, and I've met quite a few folk just from showing up to play. Also sold my first pin that way (an email out of the blue asking if I'd sell my Monster Bash).

I only have one location, and prefer it that way. I'm no OP, just a pin head, spreading the joy, and having the machines off sets cost a bit. I'm trying to convince them we need a bigger line up (hint, hint, you guys buy a TRON LE, I'll take care of it, and buy it off you in 3 years).

I am Canadian, eh! Also, our gov't gets a nice chunk of tax right off the hop. How else do you think we pay for that health care?

I think flipping pins is a valid way to build up your collection, and may make the most sense to someone that does not have a lot of cash. And on the plus side, it forces you to learn how to fix and restore them.

You see a good deal, buy it, fix and restore, sell for profit, rinse, repeat. You'll be surprised how fast you end up trading up! Plus, you save all those pins from the dumpsters, and hopefully pass them on to budding pin heads.

Just be sure you don't buy a lemon. I may take a loss on the POTO I just got. Price you pay sometimes!