Wow that would be very generous of you! Takes a pretty cool cat to do that. Can't wait till I make some connections like that. I'd definitely want to be in line for having some shipped to me. If no one else calls it I will!

It would be beyond cool to have some sort of pin trading circle too.

No. That would be amazing. I think it's just too hard to believe that it would really work out that way? Would I love to e on the receiving end of this? Absolutely.

That said, what's to stop the next person in the chain from flipping for a profit.

How about this crazy idea: Etch into the bottom of the cabinet (yes, I propose harming the machine); "for fair sale price only" or better, etch into it who you sold it to and the cost. The next person must do the same, so you can keep track of the change of hands so you can help ensure the machine remains this sort of amazing piece of pay-it-forward generosity.

Anyway, I think it's dope. Kudos to you.

I think it is a really good and cool idea. I have no idea how far Greenville is from me or how many pins you have in your area, but I'm in a pinball desert and literally have nowhere to play pins unless I buy them and ship them in. So just the thought of being able to play some to try them out and not have to invest a fortune sounds great. And I don't have a ton of room as it is, so knowing that it was temporary and that I'd pass it along is a nice thought. Right now I'm dependent on the other local Pinsider's leftovers, and I think he's slowly getting more expensive keepers.

I think we would all like to be on the receiving end of this haha. I'm not sure how realistic such a thing is. Given the distance especially. Though I've already decided to pretty much only deal with pin side folks at better prices. I'd happily pay a finders fee and all that though.

Man ill make the drive

That's crazy how he runs into them a lot. Does he not realize how much he can make off of them? He's crazy but heck if the pins fall in good hands then that's even better

This would be really cool if it pans out. I agree there would have to be some level of trust, but it'd be worth a shot. I'd be down for trying it.

Oh that's not what I mean. I'd gladly drive the distance or pay for shipping, I just mean people trading around the machines.

Whoops, wrong thread. heh!

/Nevermind

I'd be in. I also live in an area where pins are extremely hard to come by, so a pin for the cost of shipping would be awesome. But what could we give back? Hand-crafted doilies?

A noble idea, but I'm afraid one or two links down the chain it would be sold at full value. I don't see any object worth thousands being passed around on an honor system for long. However if you got a small number of people together as a group maybe.

I wish I had local pinball buddies too. Its a very unique hobby. I feel you on the pinside love. I feel lost now that this site is blocked at work I'd be super pumped to gift to a friend if they seemed interested. That would be awesome.

I think that's an amazing Idea. I would be in on it. even if it means I pay shipping for the "free" pin.

I wonder what "all the time" means. Once a year? Or a hundred times?

I could do that, no problem. I try to give things to friends instead of ebaying them. Books, video games, stuff like that. Never done it with something as big as a pinball machine, but if I had one to give and someone would pay shipping...

That's a great story about the Mustang!

Had a couple more thoughts about trading pins. It's your show and they're just thoughts, so take them for what they're worth. Which probably isn't much

Would there be any rules beyond the honor system? Some rules might be nice, but of course, would only be broken and make things more complicated.

Would the pin come with any limitations (you can only keep it for a year and then you have to pass it on, you can't ever sell it, etc.)? Or would saying you could only keep it for a year basically just mean you just "rented" a machine for a year for the cost of shipping?

How would you decide who got what pin since not all pins are created equal? Would a person who wants their first pin take presidence over someone with 40 pins? Random lottery?

If the pins were all a part of a stable, you could put yourself on the waitlist for one. Then, in a couple of years, when your name comes up, it's your turn.

Holy Moley! You would get sainthood for that! I think this is a fantastic idea and I would pay shipping in a heartbeat. I think there are a lot more kind and honest people out there then we all realize. People on here are top notch, I have recieved free plastics, a free topper, free repairs, and been sold a pin at a very reasonable price. I know if I recieved one my conscience would never let me flip it. I just gave away a free f-14 motor in a thread and it felt really good to give back to the community, could you imagine how good it would feel to give away a free (or almost free) pin?

Also think about just trading them! You could start a network where they go out into the wild and then after a year people just start trading them. I would pay shipping once a year to do that.

Awesome idea, hobby needs more of this and less chasing $$$

Love the idea! Not enough people "pay it forward"

Mike

Beautiful car.
Interesting idea and a great way for keeping pins out of a landfill.

Great idea, it might make it affordable to get a pin shipped up here. We do not have a good selection.

I have mentioned it before in other threads but this thread reminds me of the song "Chain of Love" Listen to it if you have not had the chance. The video is actually better than just listening to it.

Sounds like a good deal. Count me in.

I would make a roadtrip down there and I'm sure a few friends would too.

Or another idea would be that these are 'always' your games on loan only. Create a post here on each game and current location and 'borrower'. Game is transferred with the pledge they will post here the next owner when as it makes the rounds. Regardless of how if works I would also be in on a deal like this.

I would love to get a pinball for my sister and her family . i fly out to visit them at least once a year . my sister lives in Atlanta so if i am lucky enough to get a pin from you i would just drive to pick it up

I think that could be how you could make it work! If it stays on the radar, nobody would be tempted to secretly sell it off for a profit.

However you decide to work it APOLLO_13, I'd sure like to be included

I'm in Aiken, S.C. and would travel. PM sent.

Count me in!

I think that makes more sense than making it complicated!

he said no... if I get them for free I'll give them too you for free... hell of a deal I would say.

Its like Christmas year round!

gift-red-white-icon.png

Noble gesture. Looking forward when it goes into practice.

I live just outside Greenville SC I might be able to help with this.
What do you think about it being a loan program? You can keep the pinball machine for up to like 6-8 months then you need to offer it up to be transferred to someone else. Just thinking out loud.

Great idea, I think we could keep it going.

Put me on the interested list. I kind of wonder if this might be better as a regional thing though.

+1

The ultimate pay it forward! Count me in.