rabid bear
Active member
So I've been active and asleep in the the hobby several times. All I can say is what the heck. Prices are unbelievable right now.
Have prices hit the ceiling yet?
I am wondering if there's a crash ahead? when are guys growing up in the 80's and 90's going to decide, eh... I don't play it, I don't need it, and it needs to be out of my home.
What's your prediction?
Prices haven't hit the ceiling yet.
Some observations I've made recently:
There are more bar/arcades opening up.
More folks are entering the hobby. I've fixed a few games for non collectors in my area now. Everyone of them wants more. I know of a few businesses that are buying for their employee break rooms, not to earn.
I'm seeing more "arcade games wanted CL" postings. About half of these aren't from professional flippers either, just someone who wants "X" game in their house.
The 80's are hot right now. I work at a university and am seeing more of the 80's style come back. I've had more compliments on my School House Rock and Goonies T-Shirt from kids who weren't alive when the movies came out and definitely haven't even seen them. ("Cool Goonies shirt, bro!" "Goonies never say die!" "blank stare"). Hell, I've seen kids rockin' acid wash again.
Arcades are a part of the 80's as such they're riding the 80's wave.
The crash will come if the economy tanks again.
I got into buying games at the tail end of the '08 crash, 1/2 of my collection was bought at that time for less than $200 per game on average. I sat and thought about shelling out $450 for a working Tempest for a full day before pulling the trigger and was the only person to call. If a working Tempest showed up for that price right now it would be gone in an hour.
If the economy does go that's when folks will start to unload their games and the market 'might' become a buyers market with less competition.
Most folks have the internet now and can and do look up what their game in the garage is worth. For every one of us who knows that water logged non working Ms. Pac conversion is probably only good for parting out and overpriced, there are 10 folks who want it and will pay the $400 the seller is wanting. I think it's because the buyer is also looking online, sees a restored original sell for north of 1K and think they really are getting a good deal.

