The thing about selling a pin is that you need a buyer, it's not just about what the seller wants. I want protection as the buyer too.

For me that's using a cc or paypal. If I am purchasing site unseen like an auction or something. I would never gift my $, I would rather pay the 3% if that was an issue using paypal. I'm fine as the seller too.

Fortunately, I have confidence in paypal because I have never had any issues. You hear about the occasional horror story. There is a reason stores and banks use $$ pens to determine if bills are real. Unless you are using one, you could have a buyer passing em to you. I'm sure it's happened to people selling items cash and never see that person again. Shit happens.

You have to ask - "Is a long distance sale really worth all the drama?"
most people deal locally and in person when selling a pinball machine,
it will take longer but less head aches with scammers

Well ive been burned few times by paypal but at the same time i have had mostly smooth transactions if you accept $$ through paypal have them send under persanal selection and bill money it has 0 transfer fees and has no reversable transaction then you also stay out of the gift red flag area.
I took paypal with Xenon no problems at all using this method and it never hurts using online payments to sit on the machine a week to make sure the funds are secured.

Bank wire

You cash it at the bank by which it is drawn. they have to honor it unless it is NSF. There may be fees if you don't have an account there. They may give you the inquisition if the check is substantial (> $1000).