# are the arcade/pinball games here over priced **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 22, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441 "2017-02-22T01:58:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/1 "2017-02-22T01:58:18Z")
I found this site [http://www.thepinballcompany.com/](http://www.thepinballcompany.com/) which has arcade and pinball games for sale some of these seem so expensive even for what they are or is it just me ? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/2 "2017-02-22T02:09:14Z")
What, you don’t see how an entertainment device with a lot of flashing lights and buzzing sounds should cost as much as a good used car? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/3 "2017-02-22T02:12:00Z")
Do they come with all the bells and whistles? mmm ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/4 "2017-02-22T02:27:58Z")
I know a new arcade game used to cost around 4 to 5 k but some of these are ancient and aren’t inherently collectable … ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/5 "2017-02-22T02:36:14Z")
I bought a cocktail table Pac-Man fully restored and in perfect working order for $500 and a late 70s Bally pinball machine for $1,200, also fully restored. The guy I bought it from had newer model machines for about 75% of what is quoted on that page, and those claim to be discounted. Do they come with some kind of home service agreement? Or do they sell to bars and other types of places, and have service agreements with them? Where is it located? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/6 "2017-02-22T02:48:04Z")
apparently they have some kind of service network and they have financing option for businesses so apparently there going for the bar/pub crowd … ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/7 "2017-02-22T02:57:28Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > apparently they have some kind of service network and they have financing option for businesses so apparently there going for the bar/pub crowd … That said, MSRP for that Hobbit machine is basically as listed. [$8,500](https://store.jerseyjackpinball.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=82) It’s been a while since I watched pinball machine prices, but I believe Jersey Jack’s (the maker of this machine) is basically aiming at the collector market. These are essentially hand built, extremely complex items sold in limited volume. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/8 "2017-02-22T03:16:33Z")
[Moderating] Since this is about games, not an art form, I’ll go ahead and move it over to the Game Room for you. ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/9 "2017-02-22T04:18:00Z")
Man I always wanted a Funhouse pinball machine, but not at those prices. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/10 "2017-02-22T05:46:52Z")
Some of the ones I looked at on that site are about $1000 over prices at other websites; some are comparable. For an older machine, the price is going to vary based on the mechanical condition and the condition of the playfield, translite and/or other pieces with artwork. ---
**Author:** ![JMLVT68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@JMLVT68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JMLVT68)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/11 "2017-02-22T14:27:34Z")
I don’t know about the pinball machines, but the video game cabinets definitely are premium priced. They have a restored Centipede for $3,000 (ok, $2,995), with a replacement LCD monitor (probably because the original had substantial burn-in). Last year I bought a fully working unit in good condition for $750. I definitely has some wear and tear, with a small amount of burn-in that you won’t notice while playing. But all of the cabinet is there, graphics are mostly clean, and the lights all work (including on the coin slots and 1- and 2-player select buttons). The trackball is solid, sound is strong (almost too loud for use at home), and overall it works 100%. So if you’re a collector and want a pristine machine you wouldn’t be satisfied, but if you want to be able to have the guys over for poker, games, and beer, you can probably find good units like mine for far less than this place is charging. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/12 "2017-02-22T14:42:34Z")
The prices seem comparable with stores I have seen. That is, higher than they should be. Pinball machines are maintenance hogs. If you don’t know how to replace parts, be prepared to spend money regularly. In those cases, buying a refurbished one is better because you’ll get more time before something breaks. Video games can go bad, but they fail in different ways. You can find functional games for way less than $1000 bucks. They may have scratched cabinets, or some screen burn in, but they play fine. If you can work on them, you can get some great deals. Fer instance, I had to replace a board in Ms Pac Man. Found a spare board ion ebay and plug-n-play, back on the road in no time. ---
**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/13 "2017-02-23T10:43:38Z")
No idea if the prices are good, but it seemed appropriate to post [this link to TNT Amusements](https://www.youtube.com/user/tntamusements). The owner is ridiculously enthusiastic about old machines and they have some great videos of restored machines before they are shipped. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/14 "2017-02-23T10:54:04Z")
The guy I bought my Star Trek pinball machine from doesn’t offer service contracts, but he is happy to have me come over when mine is doing something funky, and show me what it probably is, so then I can tinker with mine until I get it fixed. I used to be a power generator mechanic in the military, though, so I am used to trouble-shooting circuit boards. His son makes housecalls to look at machines, but he doesn’t know as much as his father, and the housecalls are very expensive. If you have no ability whatsoever to work on your own machine, and you are already spending $1,000+ on it, spending more, even significantly more, to get a service contract is worth it. If you can’t afford it, then really, you can’t afford the machine. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/15 "2017-03-05T00:14:37Z")
Oh wow Attack From Mars Pinball Machine Your Price: $9,999.00 USED Gee i hope the thing is impeccably restored and plated in gold I have an old 1980’s black knight pinball machine, i paid 600 for it working, spend maybe 300 fixing it up a little, and quite a few hours of time or course. Now i know why i only have one pinball machine ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/16 "2017-03-05T00:49:03Z")
They seem a little high, but it’s been ages since I’ve checked out prices. I’ve got 4 at the time, 3 of which are in the “used pinball” section. 2 of them list for 5k, the “good” one for 9k! :eek: That’s not too far away from what I figured they would sell for, but only from a retail business with a service network. If I put Indy Jones up on ebay, I would hope to get 6-7k. The ones listed in the “restoration” section seem ridiculous. 15k for a pinball is crazy, even if you upgraded to all the new low-voltage stuff they offer for them now and updated optics and fancy general illumination stuff. > [@nightshadea](#): > > I know a new arcade game used to cost around 4 to 5 k but some of these are ancient and aren’t inherently collectable … Actually, I think you have that backwards. Rarity increases the value. Williams is no longer in business and some of those older games are going up, fast! The guy I have work on mine once in a while begs me to sell him mine. (of course, he won’t make a real offer) > [@nightshadea](#): > > apparently they have some kind of service network and they have financing option for businesses so apparently there going for the bar/pub crowd … No way. You couldn’t make a penny on a machine that costs that much. I’d say these are aimed strictly at rich, old collectors. They’ll sit in the back of their fancy home theaters and look cool. > [@Weisshund](#): > > I have an old 1980’s black knight pinball machine, i paid 600 for it working, spend maybe 300 fixing it up a little, and quite a few hours of time or course. > > Now i know why i only have one pinball machine I’ve got one too. You would be surprised what people will offer for that game. It was ground-breaking and highly collectable. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/17 "2017-03-05T00:54:35Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > What, you don’t see how an entertainment device with a lot of flashing lights and buzzing sounds should cost as much as a good used car? Pinballs don’t buzz and good used cars are _far_ cheaper! 😃 I think the last 4 or 5 _combined_ cost less than they want for an Indy Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/18 "2017-03-05T01:01:28Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Do they come with all the bells and whistles? > mmm That took extra balls… ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/19 "2017-03-05T01:42:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > They seem a little high, but it’s been ages since I’ve checked out prices. > > No way. You couldn’t make a penny on a machine that costs that much. I’d say these are aimed strictly at rich, old collectors. They’ll sit in the back of their fancy home theaters and look cool. Some of the used game prices seem high - a used Apollo 13 for $5000? A used Family Guy for $6500? That “used” Star Trek: The Next Generation had better come with a guarantee that the shuttlecraft won’t stop working before a certain length of time elapses… As for making money, at the Pinball Hall of Fame arcade in Las Vegas, newer machines (and not just video-screen ones like The Wizard of Oz) are $1 per 3-ball game, although the older dot matrix display games are 75c for five balls. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2017, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441/20 "2017-03-07T05:34:05Z")
This thread inspired me to go out to the garage and fire up a couple of the machines. Dracula only has one bad switch or optic (which, I found, can be “over-ridden” and won’t affect play), and Black Knight has one switch that prevents correct play, but I can monkey with it and get it going. Fun to be playing again! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-arcade-pinball-games-here-over-priced/780441.md?page=2)