racketboy.com

So I have mentioned a few times that I am getting an itch to buy a pinball table, and I have (so far) found that navigating the market is tough! I've spent time looking around eBay over the past few months, browsed KLOV and some other pinball-specific websites, and have seen a wide range of prices (even for the same table). I have had the good fortune to play many tables over the past year or so, and know that there are many that I would enjoy owning, so picking a title might not be that difficult. Some basic guidelines for figuring out a fair price and any helpful suggestion purchasing would be good!

Here are some of the questions that I have so far:

-I have heard from several folks here that the market for pins is currently "inflated?" Can someone elaborate on why they think that is and whether or not they predict it deflating to a more "normal" level anytime soon?

-Where are the best places to buy online? Is eBay strictly a no-no? Is purchasing something I can't playtest first always a bad idea?

-Where are the best places to buy offline? For example, are sales at pinball or gaming conventions usually cheaper or more expensive?

-Are there very good tables to be had around or under $1000, or am I really going to be looking at $2000-$5000+ for a top-tier table?

-How much is a reasonable amount to expect per year to maintain the table, and how often would I probably need to get professional maintenance done?

I'm also looking and have been following sales and discussion on KLOV and Pinside for awhile. I don't have first hand knowledge of any of your questions, but quite a bit of second hand knowledge (from my own questions of pin-owners, and from my own reading of articles). I'll answer the questions below, as best I can.

[quote="dsheinem"]-I have heard from several folks here that the market for pins is currently "inflated?" Can someone elaborate on why they think that is and whether or not they predict it deflating to a more "normal" level anytime soon? I have heard the same thing, the conventional wisdom is that it will continue to inflate or stay the same. Most guys who grew up with pins, or shortly after the pin-heyday are now able to own pins, do to more income, more space, later in life, etc. With fewer and few pins being produced, the number of intact pins lessens while the number of folks interested and with the means, seems to be increasing.

-Where are the best places to buy online? Is eBay strictly a no-no? Is purchasing something I can't playtest first always a bad idea? From my searches of ebay completeds on pins, sales seem rather sporadic (same with arcade cabs). Best bet is WTB's on KLOV, Pinside, and Craigs. I've seen good and bad forum reviews on "Thepinballcompany.com" and a couple others that escape me. I think your best deal is going to be local, and someone you can discuss the entire pin with by phone or in person.

-Are there very good tables to be had around or under $1000, or am I really going to be looking at $2000-$5000+ for a top-tier table? You can get a working pin for $1,000 range, but from what I can tell, it is going to have some problems or significant wear. Most pins i've seen sell are $1,500 low end to $2,500. The higher end ones ($3K and up) seem to be more tied to the pin dedication and condition (Star Wars, KISS, etc).

-How much is a reasonable amount to expect per year to maintain the table, and how often would I probably need to get professional maintenance done? In talking to guys who own both arcade cabinets and pins - the pins are much less of a headache, not that they have less maintenance issues, but because so many pin parts are universal and readily available - primarily due to lack of monitor and chassis. If you live anywhere near a decent size city, I wouldn't worry a second over findinng someone who can troubleshoot something for a reasonable price. Of course, most issues are simple electrical disconnects or cold joints on a pcb, maybe a bad cap here or there, pretty easy fixes once you trace it back to the problem. You can likely troubleshoot 99% of your problems on one of the pin forums.[/quote]

Maybe Unleaded Logic might have some ideas since he's bought a few and posted videos about them in the past year or so. I have no idea on prices, but just one thing to look for is a game fest or show in your area. The one that I went to here in November had several tables with for sale signs on them that were in the free to play area. So you could maybe then go play the table and then go check prices and maybe take one home if it all looks good.

Im on vacation but Ack called me about this since Ive had some experience with pins.

Pins are a very interesting market. Ten years ago, you would rarely find one for under $800 in good working order with the average price for Twilight Zone (widely considered one of the best) being solidly at $2500. Now, you will rarely find one for under $1000 with Twilight Zone being way over $4000. Most of it is what mjmjr25 said about pinheads now having the income, and that the amount of pins is going down. The other half is that they keep popping up on TV shows so people have them fresh in their mind. I remember after the episode of the Simpsons where Homer goes to play the pin Devils Advocate the pins at the auction I went to the following week went for stupid money. Sadly the one pin I really want I will never own, Joust Pinball. There were only a handful created and they are almost all accounted for. It is the only VS pinball I know of.

Ive not owned a pin for the long haul. Ive bought a couple and sold them in short order for a profit. But my uncle has owned one for 15 years now that has only needed a small handful of things fixed on it - one of the bumpers broke - turns out it bounced around so much it broke the solder, and the left tilt sensor had to be replaced. My experience has been that apart from random issues, pins are fairly hearty. And best of all is if you have a standard pin, most of the inside parts are similar. Now on the flipside, if you have a neat table the elements on the board might go for stupid amounts. When I was trying to fix a friends Jurassic Park the Trex broke and it cost us $50 to buy a replacement.

As for online or in person. Online from a reputable source/dealer is fine. Ive done alot of business with Super Auctions, but they havent had anything remotely near me in the past two years. Online the company that the people I know use the most is The Pinball Company, but there prices are fairly on market. So expect to pay about $2000 for a lesser title and $3000+ for a more well known one.

Do you have any other questions?

I have some good friends that own a bunch of pins and I own one myself. (The Addams Family.)

Pin prices right now are at the highest they have been. If you are looking for an "A" list Bally or Williams Pin depending on where you live expect to pay at the minimum $3000. And that price is for a pin of "players quality" which may have some wear or need some work.

That being said, there are plenty of "B" list titles which are a good bang for your buck. Many of the Data East or Sega tables fall into this catergory. Many of these tables are good players but people are turned off by the theme. See Jurassic Park, Tales from the Crypt, Demolition Man, or Judge Dredd.

As far as buying a pin I would say until you know what to look for, never buy a pin without seeing it in person/ playing it first. A lot of problems cannot be discovered through pictures alone. A good place to look for tables for sale locally would be the Mr. Pinball classifieds. Also I would look to buy from another collector first instead of an operator/reseller who tend to be priced high.

Good Luck!