Buy localy
Don't forget the coast of shipping and customers fees
GLWYS

Could also trying going to Allentown or York and bringing one back. Its a win-win as the shows are great and cheaper pin. If you get out into the community there are deals out there.

Oh the woes of being a Canadian pinhead. I feel your pain

Good deals can be had. Just be patient. Your best bet if you are going to buy from the states is go down to NY and grab it yourself or have it shipped at a border terminal. You'll save on brokerage fees and you'll just have to pay the tax. But from experience buy local. As well, maybe check the B list games to start.

Pinball will always be higher here in Canada then the US but some times it's not worth getting one from the US with shipping ,customs and the price of the machine ,years ago it was worth it but now not so much

Pins are on kijiji or craigslist cheap. A couple days later they are back up with the new ridiculously high price. We should just ignore the BS and never mention it again after today.

problem with kijiji, everytime there's one for sale at a good price, the sharks (resellers) are always on it in the first few minutes. few weeks later you see the same pin for sale at a ridiculous price, like mention above ^

and the other problem is the seller asking a ridiculous price because he saw one for sale at that price on e-bay.
or have no idea of what he's selling and think it's a rare machine because it's an EM and it must be worth a lot... or whatever.

i see game like 6MDM for sale at $2500, looking like crap and the guy say it's a deal...

but that's no news, i guess it's like that everywhere.

For instance there is a space shuttle for sale in Ottawa for $1050, I've played it and it looks really nice. Was cleaned up nicely.

Hey, you could be an Aussie, these things are practically gold over there, and impossible to get.

Patience - or depends how bad you want a title. They will always come around eventually.

Used to be the case eve a couple years ago. Now you have to be ready to fork out big $$$ if it's something you want.

Glad to get in when I did.

Big bucks or be able to repair some issues right? There are some always over the border in Michigan.

Still, even projects, I'm paying going rates for projects or machines with lots of issues now, based on condition. I never minded before, as I always went through stuff completely anyway, but I'm starting to slow down in my desire to get to the next machine to redo. STTNG and my TS are sitting in the back room, and I've got little desire to get at either, despite wanting to play them both.

We don't have the inventory that the US has, but fair deals can be found, but you have to work at it...

Many times Ive gone out to look at something (guitars, drums, cymbols, etc) being sold on kijiji that is said to be "mint", "like new" "excellent shape" and when I visited I was underwhelmed. Id NEVER buy a pin (or anything else) sight unseen.

I know what you mean been there done that won't go back lol but prices have gone up over the years and I think they always will years too come ,I had too pay over my head for a machine but I really wanted it so bad ,that happens

Also having no luck finding pins in (southern) Ontario. Looking for LOTR, GNR, T2, Diner or DM.

I am looking for a TOTAN and FT ,I might sell my G&R if I could find one of them

Conversation is good. Maybe you will hear of a pin someone else wants and you can pass on the info.
I understand wanting a pin based on depth. But at 5k spending, you will want to narrow down your search and knock off 4-5 from your list as they command more than that (not including shipping).

If your looking for a new Stern shop around. My local area usually don't sell their A title's or newer Stern pins. I have sold my Stern demo's & the WOZ LE across Canada. I can ship pins Depot to Depot, coast to coast for $100-$200 with Day & Ross Transport. I'm a dealer for new pins.

This is how we all know what's around and what's out there

I'm mostly a seller of new or demo pins, mostly Stern & I sold my WOZ LE. Unfortunately with the price increases from Stern in Canada. I have stopped buying pins to demo! My Stern sales were less than 20% in 2013, compared to 2012. So I only sell NIB Stern pins, & the Rolling Stones LE & X-Men Wolverine are probably staying with me for play. I'm almost 50 so my favorite pins are Bally 1978-1982.

Most of my local collectors I pass on info for people looking to buy. Most are not interested in selling any of their pins, but you never know unless you ask. I will help out with shipping, if anyone in my area needs help.

I was lucky to find an Olympic hockey pinball being sold a few hours away from me. I wanted the machine bad so crossed my fingers the seller was not lying about the "works fine condition". The pictures were few and showed the machine covered in dust and looked like it was just moved from storage somewhere. The playfield and plastics looked great so I took a chance and purchased for 650.00. Sure enough, plugged in and didn't work. I was lucky to get it going but lesson learned "works fine condition" actually means, "probably not". Anyhow I jumped at the price because most machines sold here are for a ridiculous amount. I hope one day I will be able to afford a "shadow" for less than 5 grand. Agree with most who suggest buy across the border. Big deal customs etc...still save 500 bucks or so depending on the machine.

Hey joker what up! Happy new year buddy!

What's more deflating is if you knew how many people are scouring kijiji hour after hour, everywhere, just waiting for a pin to be posted.

I'm glad I got what I got when I got it.

I live near the border of Mi. There are quite a few decent deals in Michigan, I found 2 great ones ! I always go pick them up. Worst case scenario, you pay HST, but if its not that expensive, they let you go.

Its a 4 hour drive to border for you, but the right machine at the right price....I could always try to help you out, as I have made many friends over in Michigan pinheads now....

Is this the pinball exchange?

Some of those prices aren't too bad, but condition is obviously missing.

not to hijack, but i'm looking for a Scared Stiff... if someone finds one for me, i would potentially sell one of these.

White Water
Water World
Williams Indiana Jones
The Getaway
Flintstones.
Tee'd Off
Gottlieb Strikes & Spares
Mario Andretti
Cyclone
Back To The Future
Time Machine.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Oh Btw. i'm in Waterloo,.

There was someone around Christmas trying to post all kinds of bogus for sales or premium games, and responding in a way such as what you have. Be careful. The person always had a female name, and wanted the final transaction to be via a third party internet based company, if the conversation went that far.

I found one through macaa back in November. Good luck...

Yeah, just noting in case. It's fairly obvious to anyone. I'm guessing then this is from Chris from Starburst.

Happy New Year to you too.
If you try Maaca or Pinball Revolution or go to a few TOPL events and get out there, or put up want ads, machines will show up. I'm sure with the money you have a game your happy with will show up. There's already like ten guys here who know you want a game now.

That's the way too do it

You must of owned a machine says you have been on pinside nine years.

This is how I got my start. Then once you get a decent collection it can be easier to trade for other games.

Bobs prices are always out to lunch. You do better trading with him.

Be careful and also be prepared to put some work in his machines. If you want a high end title ask for it as he doesn't advertise those.