I remember when the Euro and other currencies were strong and sold some of my pins overseas for a decent price. Then, in 2008-2011 the prices came back down due to our economy here I suppose. Now we have an overheated stock market along with weak worldwide currencies and it appears to me that prices for good pins that are rated in the top twenty are as strong as they have ever been.

Knowing this, is it a good time to unload the desirable Williams machines anticipating a market correction?
Also, considering that the new MMR is as nice, if not better, than the original would it even be a better reason to sell knowing that they could easily remake TOTAN, CV, and other popular non-licensed themes? Having ordered a MMR LE myself I feel that the popular machines that need no licensing are targets for remake. With Cirqus Voltaire now bringing $5k for a rough unit and upwards to $8-9k for a pristine unit a new one with modern electronics for $8k makes sense.

LOL - JUST NOTICED - I did not give the option for prices to go up. Please use the last option for that.

Also, Stern machines outside of the Top 100 are doing rather well. I remember buying a NIB Monopoly for $3300 back in 2003. I sold it a year later for about the same price. Really nice HUO machines were maybe low $2k just a few years back. I have seen quite a few sales near $4k lately for this machine.

What say you?

Thanks, not worried about the money from a "worried" standpoint as pinball is probably my least expensive hobby, but I do like to get a good value. Again, with the ability to remake the popular titles with less complicated electronics it would seem to me that the prices are topped on these machines. Look at what nice original MM machines are now as compared to two years ago. On the other hand, look at CV as compared to two years ago.

I know, but look at what they are asking for them here and on eBay. My friend just sold one for $4k that was HUO and very nice.

I like themes that I can have in my home that everyone can enjoy. Stern's recent releases of AC/DC, Metallica, Kiss, etc have no place for me as I liked those groups about 20-30 years ago and no longer listen to their music, so the game does not appeal to me. Games like Monopoly are somewhat timeless and "ok" with anyone even if it is not a favorite. Same goes for TZ, TOTAN, AFM, CV, and the like. They are not offensive to anyone and are the highest ranked games out there.

I really don't see it as an expensive hobby compared to other things. In fact, it might be cheaper than most when you consider that the machines tend to hold value. A nice new ski boat can cost $100k and uses a lot of gas, insurance, storage, etc. Horses are crazy expensive to maintain, High end watches can literally be $100K each +, and I won't even get into aviation.

As far as new machines at $5k being a ripoff? I don't know? Stern is the only real pinball producer in the country and $5k is pretty inexpensive as compared to a 20-year old Bally for $7k or so. There seems to be a lot of newer Stern machines out there to me. I'm not a real fan of the Stern machines myself, but they don't seem overpriced to me. I would love to se Chicago Gaming remake all of the classics and develop some new models as well. I really liked my TZ and others from that era. I would buy a new CV today.

LOL, I see what you all like more than pinball.

Ah, got it! I just read her post. I have to agree with her a bit. Guys with planes do the same thing. They show a picture of some knockout woman sprawled over an airplane. I then see pictures of their wife or girlfriend later and they are nothing like the woman pictured. I guess I never got into the trophy woman/fantasy thing.

You lost me there.