Well, to make a short story long, I went and looked at both machines tonight.
His ad was misleading. His full service manual, was a couple of downloaded pages from pinballrepair.com His definition of great physical condition and mine are way different. Top right front corner of backbox had a cigar burn spot in it about 3" long, and almost all the way through. It was missing the belts for the beacons on top (never saw the motor run), all 3 bulbs burnt out. Player 1 & 2 displays no good, just showed random " ////" in displays. Wouldn't boot up everytime. +5 LED on, diagnostic LED blinking rapidly, Blanking LED blinking slowly. Left flippers VERY weak, with upper very sloppy. Numerous switches inop. Missing lots of rubber, needs all new. Playfield, fair, very dull, should polish up. Speakers/sound very scratchy.
He says he sees them for sale for $1500 all the time, and figured his was worth close to that. I felt I was doing him a favor, and offered $250. He turned it down(I'm happy about that).
The Skyline was in rough shape, would power up, that's all. Cabinet was rough. Playfield and plastics were in good shape. He said this is a "collector's piece". He says there is only 3 for sale in the US, with the one that is completely restored going for $2500, which he thinks is under valued. I didn't make an offer on that one.
I told him I'll stand by my $250 offer, and if he changes his mind, to give me a call. I get the feeling he wants 1K for it. Not worth the $250 I offered. He says he'll keep it and fix it, but he couldn't even get it to boot, I had to show him how to do it.
I wish him luck, and pitty the poor soul who buys it/them.
Hermantown, MN
I am guessing his idea of great condition differs from most. If it turns out to be in great shape and a simple fix I would go as high as 600.00 myself.
