Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, The
Data East, 1993
Junk Yard
Williams, 1996Hey all,
Just found this site and it is awesome so far, I have been looking to buy my first pin and would appreciate any help(Know of good deals?) or advice in the Seattle WA area.
I saw some machines on craigslist like Junkyard(3000) and Rocky and Bullwinkle(2500), I don't know much about either of these machines so I am not sure if I should make an offer on these machines or wait for something else to come up for my first pin (And likely only pin for awhile)
Thanks for the advice, I will hold off on buying anything for awhile then and continue to monitor these forums.
Another question, since pinball machines can sell for a good chunk of money; what is the preferred way to handle transactions? I don't know much about paypal so I am not sure if there is a buyer protection there if the merchandise isn't delivered or is faulty etc...
My guess is that in person cash is the best way to handle transactions. Donno about paypal for large amounts of money...
For a first pin buy something that works. I would get to know people on here and rgp. If you can meet a few of them as many will show you what they know. Some might be willing to look at a pin with you.
The best bet is to find people on here or rgp that are selling. I am too far from you to be of much help, but if you can find another forum member close by that has had a few machines chances are you will get something working right the first time. Also when it breaks down they may or may not be willing to help diagnose it.
Do you know the types of pins you like? EMs? Early solid state? DMDs? Brand new? Themes?
I'm not from the area, but I assume you know about these opportunities for local pinball...
Go out and play as many machines as possible:
http://pinballmap.com/seattle
Visit the Museum:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-Pinball-Museum/131237786915560
And/or the Local Pinball League:
http://www.seattlepinballleague.com/
Also try out Visual Pinball on your computer - you can "test-drive" tons of actual machines. You'll have to search to learn ho to install it. I don't know what the latest process is.
Really depends what you like, but when I was getting started 6 months ago I looked for some of the bang for your buck machines. Games include things like Johnny Mnemonic, Judge Dredd, Demolition Man, Tales From The Crypt, Jurassic Park, Last Action Hero, etc...
My price range would be around $2-3k max, including shipping if not local, so this takes me out of the running for a new machine. I would probably want something from the 90's themed era as that resembles more of what I remember growing up in the arcades. Something like STTNG or Jurassic Park would be cool, along those lines.
Thanks for all the links, I will probably take a trip to see some of those local machines on that map soon. I must say that is an excellent resource that I didn't see when I first visited this site.
Quoted from HELLODEADCITY:Very true take your time and find a game that's interesting to you
+2 on that. You will be playing it a lot if it is your first and only. You may as well take the time to find the one you will enjoy the most it is well worth it.
Quoted from Mando:but if its your only one best be a good one
Come on now, you know this will never work. For collecting pins you either have many or none cause having one is just silly 
Just kidding lol Before I started in this hobby a fellow collector had invited me over to check out his collection of games and I was floored to see he had around 20 pins in his basement and thought that was nuts. I told him that if I could just get one I would be happy and look at me now nearing 8 pins now in a matter of 15 months.
My advice is before you buy your first pinball machine, try to make friends with some local collectors on here or RGP. This way you can go check out their colletion and they might even be nice like friend was and showed me a few common issues and basics to be familar with cause stuff will break or need to be maintained. Also keep in mind certain machines will have specific problem(s) or common wear areas on the playfield such as:
Johnny Mnemonic might have the hand switch error glove might not be working at all or Funhouse Rudy's eyes or jaw might not be working properly. Rollergames has common magnet wear by the upper right flipper or The Shadow has wear by the Sanctum lock.
If you don't know of any local collectors you can always check and see if there is a Visual Pinball recreation of the game you are considering buying. It will play similar to the real thing and give you an idea on the game's flow, shots, animations, modes and sounds for the game. If you have never setup VP before you can read my 5 minute guide to get you up an running on a PC desktop computer I posted on a local forum here in Canada called maaca.
http://www.maaca.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5886
There are other things to check before you commit to a machine but it is best to post on here for a price check and maybe we can give you pointers or even come look at the machine with you. Good luck and hope you find your first machine soon. Remember just because you over paid for a particular game doesn't mean the next person will so take your time and find one for the right price and stand to lose very little money.
Hmm its a little out of my budget but there is a decent looking TZ for $4500 asking price on CL about a 3 hour drive from me.
It would make my wife upset but if I might be able to deal with that if it ends up being a good deal. Is this a good enough price for the look of it in the pics?
Yes I did my research 7 years ago on this site, for my first pin. I ended up with TS and it was good for 1400 having 4 ramps, upper playfield, magnet, 5 drop targets video mode, 3 flippers. Fun But the artwork sucked. At least I had a pin though. Every home should have a pin.
As a new pinball enthusiast I would avoid ST:TNG. While a great game, it has tons of optos and moving parts (cannons, subway diverters) so it can be one of the more difficult pins to maintain in tip-top shape. As your first pin, the most important criteria is that it works and will work reliably for awhile. There is nothing worse than having a wife not so on board and you bring home a pin that breaks in the first week and you are unable to repair. You'll be killed by "I told you so".
I would look for something sub 2K that is pretty reliable. NF, HSII, JP, TFTC, FT, T2 are a few that come to mind. That way, you aren't outlaying a bunch of cash on a game you may not like. Start small, get a feel for what you like and get some experience maintaining a pin. Give your first pin a full tear-down shop job so you learn the ins/outs, play it for a few months, then trade up or buy a second machine.
Personally, not a huge fan of T2--I think it's a machine where the theme sells it at a cost to gameplay. Not a bad, first machine, but personally I think there are better machines to be had for the same price point.
For $2000ish you might also want to consider a newer like RBION. For $3000, I'd personally try to pickup two machines.
I agree with robertmee, with first pin I would go with a DE, they are easy to find, maintain, and find a buyer.
Quoted from spfxted:Which is DE ? Can't find it in the abr list...
I'm guessing Data East.
Quoted from tomdotcom:It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Put on your man pants and buy whatever you damn well please!
Spoken like a true bachelor. 
I know some of the more sought after games include MM and AFM, which sell from what I have seen in the range of $6k-$10k.
How feasible is it to buy a cabinet and all the parts needed from some place like Marco? Could build the cab or buy one for around $1k and get the PF for $800, I have no idea how much all the parts would cost though.
Quoted from Corny:I know some of the more sought after games include MM and AFM, which sell from what I have seen in the range of $6k-$10k.
How feasible is it to buy a cabinet and all the parts needed from some place like Marco? Could build the cab or buy one for around $1k and get the PF for $800, I have no idea how much all the parts would cost though.
Stop right there....
You did say FIRST pin right??
Go find a Data East for sub 1k.
Learn to wrench on it a bit and then tackle the abominable snowman projects later.
Quoted from Corny:I know some of the more sought after games include MM and AFM, which sell from what I have seen in the range of $6k-$10k.
How feasible is it to buy a cabinet and all the parts needed from some place like Marco? Could build the cab or buy one for around $1k and get the PF for $800, I have no idea how much all the parts would cost though.
I wouldn't mind doing that myself for an AFM. The prices people are getting for an AFM is rediculous.
Ok, FT for $1700, 3 hours away, i've played this game and watched more videos of it. Not sure of the quality outside of the pictures but it looks good and works. Seller says new lights and rubbers.
Was going to pick it up tomorrow if no one here screams at me that its a bad deal. Anything in particular I should look out for when I view it?
I have searched and seen some sites that suggest that I should have no trouble transporting the pin in the back of my Honda CR-V, would suck to travel that far and then find out it doesn't fit.
5N25H75J83G83Kf3I7c2r25676723838e1668..jpg
2012-02-28_11.09.52.jpg
Not a bad deal at 1700, but not a great deal either. Has some insert wear at the fish, and is faded, I would say this is a very typical condition FT. 1700 is a very typical *asking* price for this machine in this quality, and the actual selling price for one in this quality is between 1200-1400.
If you and the seller are happy with the price, that is all that really matters, but if you are looking to take minimal loss down the road when you go to sell, 1700 will be a little tough to get from other buyers.
He wouldn't accept anything less than $1700, which I know is not a good reason to just cave. Maybe I am just getting antsy, but while I have just recently joined here asking for advice/help I have been somewhat monitoring ads around here and know that there isn't a wide selection. The things that do come available are ridiculously overpriced, like $2500 for Rocky and Bullwinkle.
I have only recently expanded my search to farther drives and that has turned up some nice results every once in awhile, but even those are overpriced and the seller won't budge at all.
Nothing wrong with being antsy, just expect to pay for it. I am not sure how long it has been for sale, but myself personally, I would make a solid fair offer on it (if you want it) for whatever i was willing to pay, leave my contact info, and tell him that should he change his mind about price, to definitely contact me. Being honest with a seller without insulting them about being overpriced can go a long way.
I always figure a rock bottom price I'd be willing to sell my machine for and use that as my actual cost to rent it.
If you keep this machine for a long time, the extra couple hundred bucks won't mean anything.
Quoted from ralphwiggum:but myself personally, I would make a solid fair offer on it (if you want it) for whatever i was willing to pay, leave my contact info, and tell him that should he change his mind about price, to definitely contact me. Being honest with a seller without insulting them about being overpriced can go a long way.
That sounds like a pretty solid strategy to me as well. Can't hurt to give em your best offer and leave some contact info. That way no bridges are burned.
Those fish inserts look pretty good. I'd be happy to buy one in that condition around here for $1500-$1600. It's a tough call. Like others have said, you may find a better deal if you wait. If this is a pin you really like it may be worth it to buy it now and look for a bargain later for the inevitable pin #2. I know, I know, this contributes to "pinflation".
Quoted from Jeff_PHX_AZ:What is that dangling under the cab?
Attachments 2012-02-28_11_09_52.jpg (229.9 KB, 0 downloads) 6 minutes old
Was the Fishtales cab really pink? That's some serious fade! But, the pf looks ok, from what can be seen of it. If it plays without errors, not too bad a price. Be sure there are no cracked ramps/plastics, etc. Mechanical issues can be fixed easily.
As someone else recommended, best to first befriend a local pinhead or 2 who can look at potential purchases with you. There are lots of things to check and watch out for.
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Redmond, WA
Toronto, ON
