I just got back from a 700 mile drive (round trip) to get a FT (could have been 1400):

I got tired of the high prices in AZ (Just look at CL and on here for the crazy prices that we have to deal with here) so I did some searching on CL in a certain radius. I found a guy selling a Fish Tales in Utah for under 2K 100% working, no cabinet fade, no broken plastics and a pretty good playfield (out of the few 3-4 I have actually seen in AZ this one is the best looking).

I was originally going to have to make the 1400 mile drive to pick this machine up. I had family up in Utah and there was still some snow on the ski hills, so I said what the heck. Fortunately, the seller is a movie director and WSOP player and had a tourney in Las Vegas. The idea was to just meet there and I would pick it up. So, not only did we meet halfway, he negotiated on price too. I can’t even find a player’s condition “B” pin here for what I got this FT for.

To make matters even better I got to stop by the Pinball Hall of Fame twice and had a fantastic time (I don’t know how many pins already had credits in them and how many times I hit a match, but my 7 dollars lasted hours). I also got to do a bit of gambling while I was there. I usually lose a little or come out even. This time I made over twice what I bought FT for. A few sports bet’s, some blackjack, and slots really made for a great time. I found a 5 seater Avatar slot machine where I could bounce from seat to seat after hitting a big win. I put 20 in, had 6 free beers, and cashed out at 680.50 after playing for 2 hours!

So all-in-all, I got a great pin at an even better price that was paid for by finally winning in Vegas. Out of the year of shoddy dealings here in AZ, I finally got my positive trip. It totally restored the fun of pinball that was gradually being lost.

I’ll post pictures of the trip later today as well as some FT pics!!

Yep, never mentioned our deal as a bad one anywhere. The WWF is my work in progress and once the ramp is made then it'll be pretty nice. I've had plenty of offers but turned them down, it's one of the only original pins I purchased that is left standing.

Well you might have had better experiences than me. I agree it could be CA and I have made overly fair deals (thus usually coming out on the wrong end due to getting a little impatient *i'm working on it*) and this market is still above average though I have seen some more reasonable deals/offers lately. It's tough to make "pin" friends when a good part the people I meet just end up spending time bashing other area "pin" people (all I hear is "don't trust so and so", "this guy is only in it to rip you off", etc). I'm not saying there is not any good to be had in the area (You seemed pretty cool in the 30 minutes I met you, Chris that runs the Cerakote shop is cool, Firebird Kris is nothing short of helpful and professional, Paul from D&D is one of the coolest people I have ever met), but my purchasing/selling experiences are not there. I don't want to complain but it's too easy when I'm bored at work lol and it's a good outlet to voice frustrations and learn from others on here, so it has helped.

Thanks man, I am ordering the LED kit and ColorDMD so it should look really nice soon. I was lucky to find this deal and even better, meet a pin head that is a movie director/WSOP player. When I decide it's time to move on I'll hit you up first.

I guarantee you'll hear from me, I could always use some help.

Here are some until I can upload my whole trip when I get off work!

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Not sure why some posted upside down though

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it was a great trip. I can't wait to upload the pics of the hall of fame. If that place was rearranged a little better and had a few upgrades it would be pretty nice. The drug deal going down on the first time I went and the homeless hooker with a kid that wanted to trade "hand-outs" the 2nd time left a little sour taste though lol. I don't think my kids felt too safe until we got inside.

Yeah I agree, it has made my whole first year worth it. Plus my kids faces when I turned it on and let them play last night, Priceless!

Yeah I ended up bringing my wife and kids. My wife was not happy about the whole thing at first but after seeing the pin in person, having a sitter for the kids in Vegas, and winning our trip costs back, I think I'm out of the doghouse for the time being............until I ask if I can preorder T Big Lebowski lol

I agree that the chrome looks better, but I'll take what I can get!

Thanks man, did you ever find that LOTR?

I think initially it was because he has so many projects going on and always travelling. Eventually he had his assistant take over the selling and I just got lucky that I was the one contacted back. I noticed it was up for 2 months so I was worried that they either forgot to take the ad down or it was a stinker. I asked what the lowest they were willing to go, just to see, and they knocked a good bit off the price. So, even if it was a little beat up it still would have been worth it!

Yeah slowly buy surely I am getting some better titles lol

Yeah it is, I got to play one at a pinsiders house up in Glendale for a bit and was impressed. I don't have a lot of play time on newer sterns

I was initially worried because of my doomsday thinking but it turned out great!

Well I'm not too sure how to tell the difference but when I saw Shoot_Again comment, I did the best I could to look closely and feel it. From what I can tell it seems original to me, it looks and feels like my Indy 500 which doesn't have decals and is fading.

She's home and set up. My mini man-cave is going okay. Now I just gotta post the pictures of my trip.

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