I look at this from a different point of view. Probably most of the people you are referring to are not collectors or enthusiast but just the weekend guys that come to these shows to play a little bit. When you really start to dive in to pinball it becomes an expensive ordeal. Look around pinside and the collections that people on this forum own. Behind these collections are very successful, ambitious, intelligent, and professional people that know how to earn a buck.

Of course, but the sum of my post was getting at being normal and not the emos the op is speaking of.

While I agree, I think this is the case because people are simply unaware. When I bring my friends over most of them can't believe what they are seeing. I don't know how many times I've heard "I can't believe you can still buy these". Everyone always has fun playing pinball and it doesn't stop us from drinking plenty of beer and partying. As a direct result of my one game room, I know of three of my family members and friends that have bought one machine for their house for personal enjoyment.

I hear ya. Hey I had a Harley for two years before I wrecked it. After the accident I just couldn't ride the same anymore.