https://forums.arcade-museum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11Here's the thing. We're adults now. We can afford to drop 1K+ on a dedicated arcade cab. Like others have said - make your list. Stick to it.
It something pops up that's in good condition - buy it - even if it's a few hundred more than you saw sold three months ago - just buy it. If it's at the top of your list just do it. Especially if it's close.
You can wait and nickel and dime forever. For me - saving $100 or $200 just doesn't matter anymore. If I want something I buy it. If I can't - I sell other stuff and then buy it.
I bought my dedicated Killer Instinct 1 cab for $700 a few years ago. It was about 120 miles away. I paid the dude full price and didn't even bother negotiating even though 5 hours away in Saint Louis one had just sold for $500. If it pops up and you want one just get it. It's not worth waiting 2 years to get an awesome deal which equals a few hundred dollars.
I'm not rich but as I'm 30 years into this hobby I can move stuff I I need to free up cash just like you.
Test it on site and ask questions. All I can say. PM me if you have questions - I'm happy to help. I've hooked up a few forum members with bulk arcade buys and I've a good connection with an operator where I love that has 300 or so cabs, 30 pins, and I shit you not 1000s of boards. If you need a hookup or have cash to blow let me know.
Just ask Aaron on this site. Forget his user name but he bought 8 or 9 cabs from me.