Just starting to stick my toe from the player/restorer side to the operator side and I have a question for operators.

I have two games on location in a local comic book store and they are interested in expanding the line up. Currently I have around $4000 -$4500 to play around with. My question is should I go with 1 Newer Stern (ST, XM, TWD, GOT, WWE, IM, etc) that are around $4000 or so price range lightly used? Or go with 2 older Stern machines (RCT, Monopoly, WOF, etc.) that run around $2000 - $2500 or 2 older Williams System 11, Data East, Sega from the late 80s to mid-90s that are around the $2000 - $2500 price range?

I'm estimating that the newer Sterns can be set at $1 per play or $2 for 3 plays and the older machines would be $.50 per play or $1 for 3 plays. Keep in mind that this is a comic store, so comic friendly titles may like IM, TWD, might fair better. Also, the location is not super close by, so I'm also looking for dependability, so I'm not fixing something every day.

How do you edit a poll question? Meant for poll to read: Poll: Which choice of pins for a location? Spending range $4000- $4500

Cool, I appreciate comic geek opinions as well, being that I am one.

Was thinking that, but it's a little above my price range. Plus it looks like a store customer bought one for the store, from what I've heard he's a noobie to pins (this is his first). So I 'll likely be the one servicing it when it breaks down.

Doing a 50/50 split with the location and they have thrown in for parts cost. Currently just put in a really nice T3, so I haven't been able to gauge how well it does yet. I had a Space Shuttle in for a while and it was pulling in around $40 a week. However it started having some regular breakdown issues so I pulled it and put in the T3. I also have a Donkey Kong which is doing around $25 or so a week.

Having fun but also seeing if I can make some money. Kind of testing the waters to see if it's something that I'd like to get more into. I've enjoyed having them at my home, but also like to see the enjoyment that other people get out of playing them.

They want to put more game in however they are dedicating the back of the store to the "arcade" area. At first when I put in the Space Shuttle, it was kind of in the middle of the store. So when you first walk in you immediately see it. Of course it was doing better business in that spot then the back where it's kind of hidden. I need to convince them to put up a sign or something to show that pins and arcades are in the back.

It's close to my work, which is the bit of a drive. So I only go to collect/service after work, otherwise it would definitely be a loosing proposition.
Pubs/bars worry me that the machines will take more a beating, at this location they are generally respectful of the machines.

You're right I am the one laying out the cash.

The location is fairly new, I only put my game in a week or two after they opened. They are still finding a solid foothold and customer base. It's a fairly affluent neighborhood, but does having money to spend turn into game play dollars? So I guess like you said I'll have to figure it out/learn it.

No contract, just a handshake agreement (I know, I know, rookie mistake). I'm a friend/co-worker with one of the guys who is a silent partner in the comic store, so that's how I got involved.

Yeah, I think the name recognition factor will definitely drive up interest, especially with non-pinheads. When I had Space Shuttle running a lot of people where playing it out of the "Wow, I have seen pinball machine in forever! Let me throw a couple of quarters in it." fascination. I'm just not sure if that will carry over into repeated play over time.