I thought it would be fun to have a thread for actual quotes from pinball machine for sale listings (e.g., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist) where apparent non-pinheads attempt to downplay what may be wrong with their machines. Here are exact quotes that I’ve collected recently:

“need minor repairs”

“currently it is not working, but it was a year ago”

“Needs a little maintenance”

“needs to be rewired”

“It worked five years ago when moved.”

“Probably an easy fix I just never messed with it.”

Feel free to add any other actual “spin” language you find in such non-Pinside listings. (Who will be the first to find “probably just a fuse”?)

I know that thread well. This is just for actual “spin” language, to see how creative that gets, instead of also the ridiculous prices some sellers ask for, etc.

Just saw this one:

“Needs to be cleaned and switches few adjusted.”

Just like the cracked engine block in the car for sale!

Just found this one:

“everything works just needs a ball an fuse for the clickers easy fix”

“Just need to manually reset it when the ball goes into the catch area (which is easily done from within machine). Probably an easy fix I just never messed with it.”

Just saw this one: “it doesn’t need much at all to be in perfect working condition.”

If it doesn’t need much at all, then why not do what little it needs so you can sell it for more in perfect working condition? Or, probably more accurately, how can you make that statement when you don’t know the underlying problem(s) and what it takes to fix them?

This in an ad for a Bally Rocket III with what looks like (from limited photos) a stain/corrosion ring on the lockbar, a grungy looking cab in the front, and at least one broken mushroom bumper:

“These machines sell for $5,000+ restored. This one needs a light restoration-not a major project-no broken or cracked parts as I can tell. Was stored inside for the past 10 years.”

Just saw this common one for EM ads:

“Works...contacts need cleaning.”

“Great condition! Does need new launching spring and serviced, but other than that, it is good to go!“

I wonder what would be included under “serviced.”

Just saw this common one:

“in outstanding condition for its age”

But doesn’t ten years of inside storage automatically undo all damage done before that?