Quoted from pinsanity:

Must be a short dialogue since price is always the first thing non pinball players ask me about closely followed by how many machines have you got and do you have any currently for sale.
Rather than being cagey and defensive, I see every pinball related conversation with a middle aged male as a potential new hobby entrant and an expansion of the player base from someone whose last contact with a pinball machine was most likely in the mid 1990's.
I also bring up price whenever applicable particularly to let them know that the minimum entry point for a NIB down here is $8500. It makes that $4k restored Getaway so much more palatable in comparison.
I think some of the Aussies down here need to change their entrenched mindset to being more receptive to new people and those who may be interested in getting into the hobby but have ebay/distributor sticker stock or are reticent in having to go through some trial by ordeal via the local clique.
The existing userbase is that miniscule down here compared to the rest of the world the local scene can't really afford to keep it as a closed shop. Unless of course you actually enjoy paying overinflated prices and playing musical chairs pinball swaps with the same baker's dozen buyers year after year.