You are right Jean-Luc-
I think there are 2 types of buyers out there. 1) the person who has no skills to fix or restore a pin. This type of buyer just wants a finished product and usually, like you say, pays to much and wants it now.
2) the person who wants a project and looks for a good deal.

Myself...I like the projects and know a good deal when I see it. I just bought a Abra Ca Dabra and feel I scored a great deal, but needs a little work.

But I think the buyer getting into this hobby, needs to do a little research and hunt for the right machine no matter which type of buyer they are. Getting involved in a pin community like this (Pinside) is a great start. I find the "Hunt" is almost the best part.
This hobby is almost an obsession. I love looking for different machines. Im a huge 70's EM Gottlieb fan, always searching.....not always buying.

No, I bought from Jean-Luc. I saw Kyle's and had inquired and he put me #2 on the list. Then I saw Aarons and made a deal with him. Then Kyle offered his to me, but my deal was done. Mine has a new backglass in it and is a liitle bit of a project too, which I like. My bigger problem is I'm in the middle of restoring a Jack's Open and so ACD has to wait.

Has anyone ever used this site below? Prices don't seem right.

http://www.buynsellpinballmachines.com/ads/twilight-zone-pinball/

I live in Fresno, will Chris deliver to Fresno from bay area or LA area? Or is it strickly bay area/LA. Just curious for the furture.

Wedge head or multiplayer?

fresno.craigslist.org link
Here is this one in Fresno. Been on CL for awhile so I'm sure you can talk price. This is a fun one and I'd love to have but, no room right now.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/ad/22051
Here's an Abra Ca Dabra for sale. I know this guy....he's legit

fresno.craigslist.org link

Hey everyone. Here is a Flash for sale in Fresno. I went and looked at it and the cabinet is in pretty good shape with normal scratches here and there. Legs had some rust on them. Backglass had some flaking. It turned on but not all the displays worked. I couldnt get the game to load a ball or give me a credit. The playfield had some wear around the inserts, but not to bad. The plastics look really good. Needs a rubber kit. Im an EM collector and I dont know what it would take or how much it would cost to get this thing running. Just wanted to give my input. Hope it helps.

Looking for a Gottlieb Haunted House.

Ohhhhh man!! Viking is a super fun game....Deadly Weapon isn't bad either

Any interest in a trade for a Dr. Dude for AP?

Wanted- Elvira and the party monsters "Monster Slide" plastic. Just arch at the entry. Let me know, thanks

Nah! It's the Dodgers year. Go Dodgers

Nice looking shop. I have the problem of more pins than space.

so true

merced.craigslist.org link

I watched that auction online ALL DAY! I wasn't sure how it was going to work and I wanted that beat up Jokerz machine. I cant believe it went for $500. It seemed like the games went for some pretty high prices compared to what they have sold for in the past on there. I still wish I was down there watching it in person. Seemed like a fun time.

MMMMM.....donuts (said in Homer voice)

Dang dude! Getting out of the hobby? I still have the Abra Ca Dabra you sold me. Good luck

Hello everyone. I have a friend I'm helping find his first Pinball machine. He's not a pinball guy like all of us but has always liked pinball and wants a game. He doesn't want an EM game but something "digital". His max to spend is $1500.00. Anyone have anything around that price they are looking to sell? Im in Fresno and there is a Harlem Glob trotters for $1500 and a Firepower for $1600 on Craigslist, but thought Id ask everyone here first.
Let me know.

Testing the waters to see if anyone is interested in a trade? Like most of you I always like having something new (new to me) in my line up. Im kinda a hoarder with pinball and don't like selling any of my games. But, Im completely out of room. I have a really nice Dr. Dude that I've become bored with. If anyone is looking to trade something they are bored with or looking for a change, let me know what you have. Id like to trade for something around the same year, 1990ish or newer. Im also willing to put some money to make up any difference, if need be. If anyone is interested I can give you pics and details of the game. New LED's, Rotten dog boards, yada, yada, yada.... Thanks and have a great day everyone.

I played this game for hours at PAGG this year. It plays so good. I would jump on this if I had the $$$$ or space (story of our lives right?)

I just posted my Dr. Dude for sale in the market place. it really is in great shape. https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/54773

I posted this in the NorCal thread also, so sorry if you follow that thread too.

I case anyone is interested, I lowered the price of my Dr. Dude for sale to $1900. Located in Fresno. I need the room for another game I committed to buy. I don't have to sell Dr. Dude, so I wont be giving it away, but I'd rather see someone enjoying it than folding it up and storing it in the garage.
https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/54773

Thanks for the heads up. Im open to offers too

I love Family Guy the game and show. Super fun pin

Yep, Chris is a solid dude. Used him a few times.

Dang! that thing is clean. Looks amazing. Such a great game. GLWS

I know exactly where you are coming from.

What do you have for trade?

No, not looking to trade my AS I was just curious what the pervious poster had for trade..

Just listed my GBpro if anyone is interested.

Machine - For Sale

Ghostbusters (Pro) Archived

As is - “Im selling my Ghostbusters Pro with mods and topper. This has been a great game. Upgrades include: Walking Stay Puff, Sparky TV, upgraded Library, custom storage facility, Shaker m...”

2019-01-31

Fresno, CA

bicyclenut

5,000

Archived after: 6 days

Viewed: 183 times

Status: Didn't sell to Pinsider

In case anyone is interested, Ive got my POTO up for sale. Open to reasonable offers or trades.

Machine - For Sale

Phantom of the Opera Archived

Fully restored (full original status) - “I have a nice example of a Data East Phantom of the Opera. I've gone through this game and it works perfect. I also installed a NOS playfield. The cabinet is in excellent condition...”

2019-02-13

Fresno, CA

bicyclenut

3,200

Archived after: 16 days

Viewed: 232 times

Status: Didn't sell to Pinsider

Last Action Hero!

I agree with you. It's definitely not a game for beginners. More for advanced players. For me, my LE is a Grail game. I love how challenging this game is.

thats gotta be fake!

WHAT??? I just gave them my credit card number. He said he was a Prince and needed me to hold some money for him too. they would be shipping the game as soon as they got my payment and bitcoin deposite. HAHAHA

I 2nd that. He's one of my best buds! Straight shooter.

Hey look who it is! thatdangguy Havent seen you on here in awhile. Thanks so much, BTW I now own your Metallica!! Its a grail game for me.

Did anyone on here pick up that Diner that was for sale in San Joaquin on Facebook Market place? Just curious the shape it was in.

Just a word of advice, I’d try and find a single player first if you’ve never worked on an EM before.

Moving? Where to?

HA! true story

I got bored with my GB LE and stopped playing it for a long while. Im so glad I didnt sell it, because now it feels like a new game playing it again. The art package alone wont let me sell it.

WHAT??? you're selling your Simpsons? I thought that would never leave...You are turning over a lot of your games, must be something big in the mix?

Probably was my stupidity. Sorry. I should have read a little more clearly. My bad

Merry Christmas to all!

Im going to be listing my super nice Road Show in the market place later this evening. Just wanted to let any California peps to know first. DM me if interested. Ill have pics and details in Market place ad.

There is some truth to the statement "It's a sickness"

Dyn-O-Mite!

Thanks for posting it. Im in Fresno and always a sucker for a pinball machines and have restored may "at the curb" type pinball. One of my favorite games was one I found left out for garbage pickup, a Gottlieb Jumping Jack. After much cabinet repair, primer, paint, graphics, new playfield, new plastics, new backglass, new playfield glass, new legs, new coin door etc... I realize I'm never going to get my money back out of it. I'm fine with this because it's like playing a brand new game and Ill keep it.
Looking at the Kings of Steel game, I just saw time and money adding up for a game I don't find that fun to play and resale not being that much. I had a few friends message me telling me to "GO GET IT" and it could be a parts machine. I just dont have the room. Im at the point in my years of collecting that I dont want to get rid of anything so, Im out of room. However I am picking up a T2 on Friday and have no clue were I'm putting it.
I really hope someone saved this game. Maybe someone new to the hobby and wants to a restore project. If you got this game and are in the Fresno area and need help, let me know, I might be able to offer some advice. Good luck

Selling my Austin Powers if anyone is interested.

sold

Yep...you are so right. And its not just the LE's that dont come up, its Metallica in general. You just dont see many of them pop up very often. Also, I had the same thing happen with my GB LE.....needles to say, I didnt sell it.

3 Pro's
2 Prem
1 LE (pending)
in marketplace currently. WOW

Wendy's employee : Wendy's.

Michael Scott : Hello, Wendy. This is Kevin's friend, Michael.

Wendy's employee : This isn't Wendy.

Michael Scott : Oh, I'm sorry. Could you put her on, please?

Wendy's employee : Dude, this is a Wendy's restaurant.

Michael Scott : [mutters] Damn it, Kevin.

This is what I did recently. I just bought a Foo Fighters LE. I ended up selling 5 games, my road bike and a old Honda Spree scooter to come up with the cash for the game. I was a little bummed to have to move so many games, but in all honestly they were games that didn't get played that much. Now, it feels pretty good to have a little more room in the garage. But this is what the hobby is all about for me. i love the "Hunt" of finding a game.

super fun game! GLWS

Anyone interested in a Gottlieb Sprit upper playfield and backglass? Backglass has some paint missing on the nose. Other than that its in pretty good shape. Upper playfield is populated. If interested, send me a message. Not looking to ship.

I case someone is looking for an Gottlieb EM....

Machine - For Sale

High Hand Archived

As is - “Up for sale is a 1973 Gottlieb High Hand Pinball machine. Good players game. Works as it should. New rubber kit added, playfiled cleaned and waxed. Show normal wear. New locks in t...”

2023-11-02

Fresno, CA

bicyclenut

800

Archived after: 1 day

Viewed: 74 times

Status: Didn't sell to Pinsider

I also have a Donkey Kong cocktail for sale...$600

Located in Fresno.

sold

Listed my GB LE for sale if anyone is interested-

Machine - For Sale

Ghostbusters (LE)

HUO - Undocumented (Home Used Only) - “Up for sale is my PERFECT Ghostbusters LE. LE #375. Total plays 451 as of this posting. No scratches or dings never routed. Home use only. Upgrades include, Factory Stern topper, S...”

8 hours ago

Fresno, CA

bicyclenut

15,250

Listed my Simpaons Pinball Party is anyone is interested:

Machine - For Sale

The Simpsons Pinball Party Archived

HUO - Undocumented (Home Used Only) - “The Simpsons Pinball party. The playfield is near perfect. Cliffys installed on the playfield. Titan Rubbers, Treehouse mod, hand of Rod mod, TV mod, Lamp shade mod, additional cha...”

2024-04-08

Fresno, CA

bicyclenut

8,250

Archived after: 6 days

Viewed: 204 times

Status: Not sold: Decided to keep game