Cedar Falls, IA
I’m pretty sure it’s less of supply and demand and more of a way to pay for “new in box titles”. So the people that had pins circa 5-10+ years ago seem to be controlling the prices and most guys just set their prices based on the last 10 they saw regardless of title or condition. And of course the guys that just drive around, somehow finding games for cheap and selling them for a grand more than they paid a day or less later. If I didn’t have a full time job, I’d be doing the same thing!
Seller: Well I just saw a near mint AFM for $8k and a completely restored Taxi posted for $4k... so obviously my players condition HS (which really needs a new playfield or hardtop) is worth at least $3,800 because I just installed new chrome legs for $80 from Marco. And I used new bolts too!
Since one of the chief reasons to sell a machine is typically to buy another, it’s really the influx of several (Not all) great new games flooding onto the market. Owners are trying to finance the cost somehow and sometimes also need the physical space. I think $4000 is out of reach for most people (and unrealistic for most titles given the immediate and continuous maintenance needs). Especially when you can finance a brand new one (sometimes with super low interest) for an additional $1,500 more with a short warranty. That’s a new in box Pro model with no farts/booze smells, scratched glass, or questionable mods. So when the high priced 10+ year old machines are being compared to the one in the new Stern/JJP/SP from the factory are being compared... well, I really think the high priced old titles are just going to increase new sales from manufacturers. Which is probably a good thing because it keeps new titles coming and eventually will level out the prices on all of them.
The pendulum swings both ways in marketing and sales. I predict in the next 2 years the prices will drop for all but maybe 20 super desirable titles from the mid 80’s to early 00’s. At that time, EMs will drop to $400-$500, lame SS titles will be below $1,400 in good/average condition, and highly desirable titles remaining close to where they are now. Might even see the “new” titles from today dropping rather fast and only the well laid out titles holding value.
Or maybe not
