I don't even have to think about this. No, not legit.

Not legit

At its face, it appears to be someone's personal website. It doesn't fit the pattern of a retail scam site described here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-scam-game-seller-websites

I can't find any mention of that "pinball trader" website on the forums here.

The domain is a little older (from 2018), and actually shows some contact info in the whois listing. However, much of the content on the website appears to have been created in mid-2019, which somewhat fits the timeframe of the retail scam sites.

Additionally and most importantly, most of the images appear to be lifted from elsewhere and return lots of results in reverse image searches. Based on that alone, I would recommend avoiding it.

I think it's this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hatcher_Childress

Nothing suspicious to me. Prices are not cheap. Only thing I question is location. Where is he located? I sent him an email and will share his response.

alexanr1 You need to be more skeptical. Images from elsewhere is a huge red flag.

I think Zach said it best: if you want to know if they're legit, go to stern's website and see if they're a dealer that they list. If no, then please avoid them!

The issue here is that the site isn't set up to look like a dealer, but a private or used games seller.

Op join the local facebook buy/sell group or buy from local pinsiders.. best bet to not be questioning if something is a scam. I’d steer clear of this one

Just because someone slaps a name up on a website doesn't mean a whole lot. I could easily put together a website using pretty much anyone's name and it would look half-way convincing.

That website literally has no links or connections to any other website on the internet. Nothing to corroborate any information that appears on it.

If you are bothering to ask the question you already know the answer, trust your first instincts!

Lots of red flags, as Force articulated.

Beyond that, I think increasing one’s profits by stealing others’ hard work (the aforementioned images) is lazy, unethical, and just plain uncouth, and on that basis alone I would never be a customer; status as a “legitimate” dealer is irrelevant as far as I am concerned.

You can find references to him and pinball elsewhere. https://wexclub.com/ for instance. He also references his site on his Twitter account.

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Toss up for me on this one, hard to say. Pay via credit card and do a chargeback if you get scammed.

DennisDodel could shed some light on the Pinball trader name.
.................David Marston

If you are new to pinball, best to purchase machines from local collectors. If you are experienced, best to buy from local collectors. For NIB, buy from registered dealer. Note there is no point where anyone would buy and cross their fingers through random websites/ebay where your chance of getting scammed is above 95%. To consider it is to completely misunderstand this hobby and its risks.

If he is as into pinball as the website suggests someone on pinside would know him, have dealt with him, came across him at a show - something . If no one on here is aware of this site I’d steer clear.

Can he explain why he used stolen images?

Maybe someone on the UFO thread knows him, or has bumped into him at Alien Con. Love that name!

Seriously though, seems like a guy (who just happens to make a career peddling ancient UFOs) who put up a site to personally buy/sell his own pins.

He is in several photos with the pins…but I’ll agree the site seems a bit odd…no bargains anyways.

I think some of the one-post wonders are part of the scam since this happens so often.

Pinball is an awesome hobby and you will get the game you want... in time.

This hobby takes time. Even brand new machines often take months to be delivered even if you order today. Partly because the pinball market has literally caught fire since covid. Crazy demand and low supply even for new machines.

Now older machines generally require even more patience. Even with unlimited cash, you still have to do your research and get connected with collectors and this takes some time.

We often wait for months and more like years before we get our dream games from the past. It’s not really a finger-snappers hobby.

Next step is to get connected with local collector scene. You’re in luck! Seattle has one of the strongest pinball scenes in the world. Chillax, play some pinball locally, attend some shows, meet some collectors and enjoy the journey. They’ll tell you about the slings on the premium you would have bought. And you might even find that GB is the last game you want after you see what else is out there. Good luck.

GB do come up every now and then - be patient - but they do cost a fair amount compared to other games, its on a lot of people's wishlists.

Do not buy unseen in person, especially your first. Buy in person, and if you can't find your title be flexible for your first pin. You have a lot of learning ahead of you.

Looking for the pro or premium GB?