Quoted from FlipMyBalls:it almost sounds like this entire post is wishful thinking and MMR hate even though there are experienced distributors on here vouching for the game. OP do you own an original MM that you paid $18000 for a couple years ago perhaps and hoping to see it rise again because of the supposed low quality remake? I don't see your collection posted to your account. That's the only sense any of this would make as a post to try to discredit authorized dealers with no backup or naming anyone. Using this strange one off example of a supposed beat up MMr as your punching bag saying the machine is not well built when its basically universally accepted that it IS well built and true to the original.
like jgentry said its the #1 game of all time and there are a lot of people including myself that would love to own one and will someday. The demand is there and the value will hold closer to the original than any MM owner is likely comfortable with. Plus where are all these used MMR's? I haven't seen many at all for sale that aren't originals or NIB.
Canadian overseas sales were not the primary focused market for MMrs.
Your economy has not sustained well over the past 2 years to make a lot of people want to buy direct new games.
So turning towards other markets...
The "mom and pop" new distributor mentality is just another way of people "riding the wave" of the current interest in pinball.
It always happens with used machines peak periods regarding interest, and REALLY spiked during the reimport period in 2001-2005, but now PPS/CGC opened the door for a whole new way for unknowing buyers to get burned.
No moderation is required, no licensing, just hang your internet shingle and say "pinball machines for sale".
Credibility is not relevant to new buyers, because they do not know anyone.
Right now they are like weeds, due to the market, I am not even sure PPS/CGC could give a count for the actual dealers, because there are a whole lot more than those that are "authorized".
As the next market stall occurs, they just dry up like a leaf and blow away.
In fact, depend on the nature regarding timing of the next PPS release date, it might not make a difference.
However, that is a topic for another post.
For a collector that understands the difference between the original game and remake, the differences are substantial, not warranting any consideration for the Williams logo. This is beyond the scope of this thread. If an owner does not understand the differences, they can PM before they launch into a purchase, or I can redirect them to collector to assist them before buying. If you are just a player/owner, it makes really no difference which one you buy.
Both games continue to be traded and sold frequently, but the predominance of MMr is much higher in the market.
It is not exclusively based on availability, but the fact that owners are "tapping out" of the hobby, or have to sell for whatever reason whether personal problems or want something different.
Amazing how people have such a short attention span for instant gratification.
At least 5+ MMr machines (all types of versions) have been "flipped" or traded in the great Portland region in less than 6 months.
Originals?
One, as the other did not publicly sell.
If you want a broader canvas, MMrs are literally all over the place.
NIB, HUO, operators, etc.
I cannot speak for hidden private sales between collectors I do not know, which are most with around a 500 mile radius.
Fairly interesting considering there are over 4000 MMs, and 1000s MMrs.
Especially since MMr were "not on the market" in large numbers until the last year.
This has been going on for months, once the majority of owners have received their machines.
I can tell you that if a "hard core" collector has a lot of machines in his collection and they stay or have stayed in the hobby for decades, he/she will not be buying/own an MMr.
They are just not interested.
Wentzville, MO
Melbourne
Saint John, NB
