Buying new projects vs fixing up old

Zinfer

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Has anyone else had the experience of having to spend a couple hundred to fix up a project and then out of nowhere a new project pops up that is nearly the same price?
I seem to always fall into this, and usually end up buying the new project, even to just throw it into storage until I get around to it.
At the same time I am ready to pickup the Lasercon for around $150, to get DL going, up pops an Asteroids Deluxe non-working, but complete for $200.
From my cursed fingers came 'I'll take it' in less than a second. I really need to stop that. Buyers remorse?
 
I was just thinking the same the other day. I have 2 games and a pin remaining that currently do not work. I am hoping I can stay focused on them and just get them running again. But then there's this site called CL... [fade]
 
I'm *TOTALLY* in that boat right now. I'm on the verge of getting a storage space just to hold on to the "great deal, project machines" until I get to them. A big 3.5 car garage can only hold so many machines when the wife says both vehicles also have to get in there...
 
c'mon... biiiiiiig difference! a Dragons Lair or an asteroids? ...youve gotta see the big picture! :) look what you have when it's all said and done. ..the real problem is when you are restoring a game and the SAME game comes up for a fraction of what youve already spent on your resto. its like restoring cars- the only way you can make money is by doing it for other people!
 
Zinfer, you have been around long enough to know that is how it works. I think it is because when you have an active project going, you also have your eyes open and your feelers out. Next thing you know, you have found another game to bring home. :)
 
Dude - I know! Tell me about it. I have an Asteroids, Space Duel, and Blasteroids. After this I'll have the whole friggen Asteroids Legacy covered!
Approaching almost 30 working games, I've started lining the walls of the garage as I'm out of room in the house. Not intentionally bragging, just saying you'd think it would get to a point where the big deals slow down a bit and let me catch up on getting some of these fixed.
I guess you always see my mouth running all the time in way too many various threads because I'm trying to do just that, get caught up on repairs. It can drive a guy to drink - and stop posting after that. ;D
I should get this lineup of 5 cabinets up and running and bring in more then from storage, but it's really; it honestly feels like I'm never going to find a deal like this again. Namely due to Mame and just part-out and burn becoming more common place. Hard conundrum and nut to crack.
The original intent was that if I got stuck on one, I could turn to another, but it's really getting quite out of hand now - there seem to be more steals out there than can be handled.
It's almost to the point of - do I REALLY want to look on CL or Ebay...cause I KNOW what's going to happen. I guess the real limiting part is how it took 2 weeks for gas to reach 2.64/gallon and one day to bounce back to 2.90.
Ack, there I go again trying to cover a long convo in 5 minutes. I try to cover the big picture in one almighty burst.

c'mon... biiiiiiig difference! a Dragons Lair or an asteroids? ...youve gotta see the big picture! :)
 
No, that has never happened.

Tucson Sucks.
 
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I have the same exact problem. I have slowed myself from it because I have so many projects but some have been easier than others. For instance, I bought a Space Invaders non-working and all it needed was a yoke to be hooked into the right spots and a power rebuild. On the other hand I bought a Defender that the entire sides of the cabinet was covered in glue and the inside was JAMMAfied. It came with almost 2 complete boardsets but getting the glue off has been a pain and making a harness sucks. The good news is that it was a steal since the glue sealed the artwork in great condition.
 
I have games that I need to fix and/or restore and promise myself I won't buy anything else until I finish the stuff I have. Of course today I got a lead to pick up Galaxian UR for real cheap, and yes I bought it. I guess it's the "Thrill of the Chase" and the excitement of hunting down these old classics...
 
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