Ideas for interview questions: Arcade Machine Reseller

[racketboy]

So I'm taking a road trip and hitting up some game stores and such for more video tours/interviews. One location is a reseller of arcade machines. What are some good questions to ask during the interview to make it interesting for you guys?

[BigTinz]

Why are arcade resellers such douche bags?

[Josh]

Ask if they have a Mario Kart Arcade cab for sale, priced for something other than half of my body, all of my collection, half of my stuff, my family, friends, pets, and car?

[t0yrobo]

How about some basics of what to look out for when you're buying a machine, and advice on how to find places that sell and repair arcade hardware.

[CRTGAMER]

HISTORY of a given machine. Where a particular interesting machine came from and the stories behind it.

I'll give you one.
The BLASTO game I was raving about in your Hidden Gems of the 80's & 90's Arcade post. I was so intrigued by my memories of BLASTO that before I saw it on Mame, I had to have it, made a home inspired version. Recently discovered the disappointing TI-99/4A ugly green background version of it, went from what appeared as an Outer Space theme to a 2600 tank motif.

History
When I was in the Navy this old Arcade game appeared along with Ghost and Goblins and other newer at the time color games on board our Aircraft Carrier. A two player sit down Asteroids four direction button layout instead of Joystick to control movement. THE FIRST "GAME PAD!" That old game got more play time then all the other newer color games. I think because of being able to do a one on one with a friend after Carrier Qual Flightops Marathon. For some reason it was tweaked to hard mode (maybe because of all the quarters spotted on the glass) the little ships would really zip across. Hold one of your letter keys, the temporary pause then repeat. Now multiply that repeat by a factor of 10.

Newer Cabinets eventually took its place. Maybe non stick BLASTO sitting in some surplus supply center waiting to be lot auctioned off?

[Ack]

What genres are the most popular sellers?
What era of arcade games tends to see the most business?
Do they perform any sort of repairs or maintenance on the machines?
Do they offer replacement parts?

[Limewater]

HISTORY of a given machine. Where a particular interesting machine came from and the stories behind it.

THIS.

Also:

What's the worst thing (in terms of difficulty to repair) that can be wrong with a cabinet?
What's the worst/strangest condition in which they've acquired a cab?
Which cabs are most popular/easiest to shift?
Regional market variations (do they sell a lot more in the Mid-Atlantic or something)?
Do they sell more cabs to individuals for home use, or to businesses?
What cabs do they love to get (due to easy sales or are usually in good condition)?
What cabs do they hate to get (due to things being broken or nobody wants to buy them)?
I'd be interested in anything they have to say about suicide batteries.

[xxstatic]

The only "re seller's I have seen around lately have been more or less Arcade game "flippers"

I see them list ads on Craigslist begging for games on the cheap.

These guy's make it hard for a guy like me to have an affordable hobby, I am not in it to make money but rather save/and resurrect classic games and hopefully they can be enjoyed/and appreciated in the future.

Most re-sellers just want to make a buck and don't really give a dang about the "hobby"

Just my opinion of course

[Erik_Twice]

What tips would you give to someone who wants to buy their first cabinet?

I think taht would be a good question ^^

[d123456]

Ask him which arcade racing cabs/manufacterer are best for deconstructing and putting into a home and constructing back together again.
-Konami, Taito, Sega, Namco
Ask him which arcade racing cabs are the best build quality, need little repairs.