With my small collection of pins, all acquired in a short amount of time, my schedule is maxed with all the work I need to do to get these pins into the playing and appearance condition that I want.
I have 4 pins up and running and playing well.
I have one that plays but has some problems.
I have one that needs a new CPU.
I have one now down for 8 months waiting for me to find time to trouble shoot the CPU.
I have one I am building from "scratch".
I have one folded up in the closet with board problems. It will be at least another year before I will have time to drag it out and look at it. It is sort of in purgatory, but I will get to it eventually.
I see other pins that I would like to have, but I know I am done. Out of room is out of room. And while my pins are all bought and paid for, the money train is still rolling along as I chase the pinball rainbow.
I see some of the huge collections some of you have. I marvel at these huge collections. How many of all these pins that you own are up and running? How many of your pins fall into the category of, " I've been wanting that pin for years. This one needs some work but I better get in while I have the chance." ? And since you bought it it has been folded up since you brought it home?
How many have you bought a pin at one swap meet only to turn around and sell it at the next swap meet?
How many pins have hit the swap meet circuit and never leave? They just move around from one buyer to the next buyer as each buyer decides the old pin needs more work than he thought? This would be true pinball purgatory. How many pins can be singing that song, "I've been everywhere, man." ?