You do realize that you can play a machine without actually owning it right?

Why not self evaluate a machine and figure out if you want to own one or not after playing to 20-30 times before actually buying it?

I understand not being able to FIND a title you want to try out (if very remote or not in a league,ect.) but if you network, use the pin map, or just ask around in your local pinball group, it certainly has to be easier to find a machine to PLAY instead of finding a machine to OWN.

Especially now that most places that survived the shutdowns are back open again... trust me, pinball is STILL a lot more accessible than it was 20 years ago. Back then, you ONLY saw machines in collections or at shows.

I've literally had strangers PM me on Pinsdie and ask to play a specific game at my house and after playing it for a couple hours, they knew one way or another. Seems a lot easier than having $ tied up in machines and then tracking the machines down, paying to have them shipped or, paying for the gas to pick them up, just to decide if they are "keepers"!

I honestly think a lot of people use the term "keeper" to describes a game that they will "keep" just until they find something "better".

whoa hold on a second!

IMDN, Roadshow, Wonka, GNR LE are ALL keepers for me. No way in hell I ever sell or trade those games away, unless my kids are starving and I need money badly. hopefully that never happens to me or anyone else.

my keepers are for real. I'm surprised the majority don't share the same sentiments, especially on top 20 games of all time

I was like that too until a wise man told me, "Sometimes it's nice to leave a transaction with crisp bills in your hand"...

The top 20 games of all time are literally EVERYWHERE you look. Shows, on location, at leagues, at tournaments, for sale on Pinside and at auctions ...

I fail to see why it's surprising that some people don't want the same games they literally see EVERYWHERE that there is pinball.

Pretty much the same for me. ST is my favorite game, I really have no intention to ever part with it (unless I manage to upgrade to a premium/LE), but who knows how I'll feel or what will change in 5 years, etc. I generally have a mental list of what game I would sell off if I found something I wanted more and what games would probably be the last to ever go.

I always thought BK2K was my grail that would never leave and it hasn't yet but I could see it going some day. Ironically my Comet will probably never leave since I've had it since 96 and my four kids grew up playing it. I also did a ton of work to it in August of 2019 so it's in really nice shape now.

Hey, I got to play that Xenon last night. It was fun.

After 25yrs in this hobby I can state unequivocally, there are no keepers - plenty of regrets and re-buys, but no keepers.

yes you can. There are 19k TZ's out there. TZ was my first as well. and TAF / TZ were the reason we even gave a shit about pinball at all in the early 90's. My TZ has since left, (because there is no such thing as not for sale if the price is right). but I can see getting another down the road.

I would say if I had a warehouse size basement and money was no object I would keep every pin I ever purchased. This is not reality for most people. My rule of thumb is when a pin is not being played for a few months to a year its better to trade up and get something new and exciting to keep the line up fresh. Sure you miss it for a bit but if you have exposure to more pins that's a good thing. The fact is that all pinball is fun and some games will last longer than others. If you have 30k in pins that like 7 newer pins. If you never rotate them you only had enjoyed 7 pins over 10 years. If you rotate them out every 2 years over 10 years you were able to enjoy 45 pins. Now I don't know about you but being able to own 45 pins over 10 years is better than 7 pins over 10 years. I know for a fact some collectors grow attached to there pins and this hobby can become more about collecting than actually playing them. I collect bc I love to play pinball. That is why im in this hobby.

Once the idea of selling a game gets into your head, it’s really hard to shake it. Lots of people, including myself, avoid even THINKING about selling because they know damn well it will be out the door before you know it if you do. We’ve all said “bolted to the floor”. Remember folks this is just a hobby.

Yep. While it is an addictive hobby, it's also one that evolves.
Years ago there were machines I drove across the country to get, but these days I wouldn't even walk across the street to buy the same machine.

Since July 2020 it looks like (if my math is right) I've purchased 30 pins and have 13 in the collection at the moment. I like to move 4-5 of them pretty frequently to try new things but with pricing getting so much higher I'm not sure if that will continue.
I do feel sentimental attachment to a few of them that I wouldn't consider selling but who knows in a few years I guess.

I was actually wondering earlier today if there was a thread to see who owned a pin the longest. You might be the winner.

The only keeper in my collection has been Crescendo....it's somehow made it SEVEN YEARS when most games don't last 7 weeks, or 7 months in my house. If we hadn't repainted the playfield ourselves and had it cleared (spending way more money than the game was ever worth) it would've been gone a long freakin' time ago. But I'm pretty sure that my shortest time of ownership is 3 days (Countdown), and I went through ~40 pins in my first 2-3 years, and that I was stupid enough to sell Tron, Metallica, AC/DC Premium, TRON AGAIN, Addams, Twilight Zone...... still qualifies me for this club so WHATEVER.

I’d like to think I will rotate, but not there yet.I’m out

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Dammit, need to figure out how to post gifs properly

......and its a Baffle Ball.

I think I have 5 in the not interested in selling at all category. woz ,hobbit ,dialed in and SMVE. Maybe wonka.

Add another 4 that I plan to keep IMVE after 6 years of ownership and over 4,000 plays.Also .AFM & MB etc.

I moved Stern JP before selling any of these.

Never thought I would sell Dialed In LE but sold it today. Fun game with a lot going on but just wanted something different (and to free up some space!).

Not as long as Art, but my High Speed has been with me for 31 years…and 8 houses in four states. Sometime in 2022, I hope to bring it back to Florida where I first bought it. That would be house #9. It’s still in as nice of shape as when I got it from the old Malibu Gran Prix on International Drive in Orlando - just down the street from Art.

Before you upload it select from the drop down the unscalled option.

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I only have one pin listed as a keeper and that’s Twilight Zone, but not because it’s the greatest pin ever, but rather the sentimental value of being my first.

The pin that started the addiction.

I will admit I am somewhat of a hoarder and have a really hard time letting games go. I think I have changed my mind on three deals now(glad I did). I buy games that I have a connection with and usually mod them and make them my own. They are like my children and everyone is unique. I know someday I will need to let go-but that day has not come yet. #Hoarder #Keepers

I have even gone so far that sometimes when I sell a game I ask for first right of refusal if they ever sell it. I have had several loyal pinsiders honor this agreement and it has helped me know who is legit. I think part of my problem is I enjoy playing flawless machines in tip top shape and to try and replace most of them would be difficult and expensive.

Here is an example: HUO Ghostbusters LE is hitting cra cra numbers lately-should one cash out and move on? I have heard 20k? Wowzeers! Now sell the Ghostbusters for top dollar and then what? Weeks go by and you kick yourself for letting such a masterpiece go? Now you have 20k but no Ghostbusters LE? To me Pinball is becoming less and less about the money-life is too short. Someday I may be able to trade pinball machines like baseball cards-someday.

With tons of people entering the hobby, finding low play good deals is fading away fast. Does anyone else have trouble selling in this crazy market? I would probably rotate more if I knew they could be replaced easily?

Godzilla is "bolted to the floor and never leaving". I thought I'd just toss that out there before that phrase appears in the Godzilla Club forum from anyone

In all reality everything at some point has it’s selling price, if someone is going to throw stupid cash then it just has to go.

They are not that hard to come by so Ive always sold things and if I miss them I buy one back later.

A few titles I have owned a few times but its better than having something around I barely use.

they all get old after a while I dont care what it is.

Downsizing was one of the best things I've ever done honestly. It started with a house, moving from a bigger place to a smaller one for just the two of us.
Now, I can only fit 4 pins period, so I have no choice but to rotate them - the only problem is the wife wants to keep two of them forever...
Well, that still gives me two to rotate and that's plenty - there's so many games to experience and with prices being absolutely insane, I call on everyone to embrace the trade life!

Thank you chuckwurt

I’m in the exact same boat as you Matt1724..I’ve had my TZ for 20 years. It was my first pin and don’t see it ever leaving.

I posted BG for sale a few weeks ago, then came to my senses. I may sell someday, but I'm not finished with it yet. Talk about a game that makes AMAZING use of a playfield. Straight shooter!

Best widebody SS and maybe the best game from the early 80s. Pretty perfect imo.

One of the first pins I ever played at my uncles house when I was a kid was gifted to me by him once I started collecting. Pretty special and it will never leave.

Same for me. Still have my first $100 purchase Alien Poker that started this long addiction. Actually purchased with my uncle as $100 was a tough pull back then lol.

I agree with you. However, it's totally different when you have a small collection (less than 7 games), to have your FAVORITE games at home, and be able to enjoy them there. Location games are awesome, but many times they're set up poorly, or don't function like a proper game due to maintenance failures etc....

to have the best games, in top condition, at home where you can do what you want, and really tune them up to your liking, is a real privilege, especially when you have great examples of those awesome games in premium condition and tuned to perfection! plus, you can modify them to make them even more enjoyable with lights, rom upgrades color screens, etc...

I'll always love location pinball, with great lineups, but I will always appreciate my home collection more because its so accessible and opens up more opportunities to enjoy them with friends and family. Plus, with the cost going up for games, it's nice to be fine with your collection, and not have to spend huge dollars on new titles which may or may not exceed the games you already own, to say nothing about the nostalgic value of the greats in your own collection!

Well said, so true.