Don't forget the economics going on.

First 50¢ a game pin 1981 Black Knight. 1991 the price per play should have gone up to 75¢ a game to have the same buying power. According to the US Government cost of living indexes. The price per play didn't go up.

Ops were losing ground, and I think many like me didn't know why. Rent goes up, utilities goes up, food goes up, but we were taking in good numbers, not realizing the money coming in was buying less. We were losing ground.

Ops start buying less. Distributors start ordering less. Manufacturers start building less. By 1995 we were on the roller coaster to hell. And all the kings horses and all the kings men, could never make pinball what it once was ever again.

Pinball exists today at 10% give or take of it's former glory. The only thing really improved today is because of the collectors/hobby. There are way more parts available today than in the mid 1990's when things were rolling.

LTG : )

As I recall. A game like MM about $3600, P2K about $4200. Plus $2400 for kit to make it a SWE1. $6600 in a dying industry.

LTG : )

I never bought one when new. Still a good earner today.

LTG : )

Going on now.

Look how many people asking for help here and get it and respond with "I don't know how".

Basic stuff. Solder, use a meter, check continuity. And with so many resources to learn, even short videos on Youtube.

When I didn't know something, I sat down and figured it out. I didn't ask for help. Didn't even think of asking.

LTG : )

I don't know if it's tied to any particular group. I've more noticed in the last ten years or so a growing number of people who can't do many of the basics needed for electronic repairs.

Daily I run into "I don't know how", "I've never done that", "How do I do that ?". Guess what. There was a time I didn't know either.

LTG : )