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I was on a long trip for a pin/trade, and I kept thinking about different "angles" of the trade... How I'm gonna miss something, how cool it was to get a new game, etc....
Then something reminiscent came up. I really can't believe that I actual REMEMBERED this:
When I was around 16, I started getting some games: EBD, Dragons Lair, Lunar Lander - and I traded all 3 for a Gauntlet II. Mind you, this was when Gauntlet II was still earning in the arcades. First, I obtained the EBD from a local guy "Vending Route Co" that did a "bait n switch" with my parents (as the responsible buyers). I hacked the crap outta it, but kept it running 100% (I was 16, with a little tech knowledge, but I knew all the employees at EVERY local arcade)
Later, I bought the DL from a local arcade during Christmas, so I knew that what I was getting - The Lunar lander was a few months $50 later from a buddy that worked at the arcade, and didn't want it any more.
My parents knew a guy, that knew a guy, that got me a trade deal for the 3 (EBD, DL, LL) for 1 (GauntletII). I was happy with the trade, but I could've been really screwed if something like the monitor went out, or bait n switch action happened.
I ALWAYS looked in the "Misc 4 sale" and "Electronics" in the local papers in the late 80's early 90's. it was pretty rare when I seen anything pop up - I never went to look at anything in that method, but DAMN! I quickly realized how lucky I am to live in the digital era - and remember how f'd it was when we were in the 80's and 90's.
I couldn't send a pic, unless I had waited a week for it to develop, then send it through the post office. That'd be outta the question in those times. A map would take me 30 mins to translate to turns and if I screw up - well, I'd be screwed.
Fast forward to current times. We can post an add, pics, video, etc.... Cellphones, Cameras, Pinside, Email, Youtube, make this all happen. With cellphones, I can call, send more pics, vid, text and navigate my way to this deal in hours. It would've taken 3 days for me to post something in the newspaper during the 90's.
Ask for a picture and in a couple weeks, you might have it?.
Sorry for my babbling - I remembered trying to get a deal in the past via newspaper (and never found anything) It was always "who you knew".
I'm so lucky to have things like Pinside that can connect me to many other pinheads (like you).
Thanks for reading,
Glen aka boogies
PS: If you haven't joined a local league - DO IT! It brings the "Real People" together for kick a$$ pinball times