People in my “area” have a sniff that I’m a pinball hobbyist and I have been getting a few calls lately actually.
I’m sure these people have zero idea on how to maintain/repair a pin, I get it. And what I hope they know if they call me that I’m a hobbyist, not a pinball tech and not to expect the world handed to them in repairs. I’d like to help people out, and I like the challenge.
But I need to spell it out real thick for then before I help that I’m a hobbyist and I can figure it out and fix things

One really, really good side outcome to going on these is the ability to pick up a “broken” game on the cheap of the customer doesn’t want to spend that much on repairs OR, in the end they just want it out.

I would never bring it up, I’d let them offer it up without me even jacking up a cost.

Nope, I haven't done anything like this, I wouldn't even create a scenario for it to happen, but if it came up naturally and someone offered up something, I would definitely see if it's worth it to me.

I have paid asking price and up for pins. I have got one or two for unreal deals, but that was me replying to an ad and paid asking price.