While I completely agree with this statement, I feel it is necessary to point out that Mike still does the daily grind of working for someone else. Why? the truth is there just isn't enough business/profit to be made to make a living completely selling pinball machines. Technically I do the same thing as Mike (resell, wholesale, retail, service, etc), but pinball only makes up about 10% of the total sales for the year. The rest is made up from many other items. Cranes, arcades, hunting games, gambling games, etc, etc. On the flip side, selling pinball probably takes up 50% of my time. Why do it then? Simple... I ENJOY IT. I (along with most of the other retail stores) enjoy interacting with people, going to shows, bringing new people into this cool hobby. Next time you go to a show look and see if it is the manufacturer behind the booth of the local "Retail / Distributor." These are the guys that need to be supported if you want to see this hobby keep growing.
I have bought countless items from mike over the years. I have sent many customers directly to him when i knew he had an item they were looking for. Mike does a service that many people wish they could. Don't judge what you don't understand. Like others have said in this thread, show up with cash (and without an air of superiority) and the price will come down.