Collection Dilemma

zenomorp

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You know, as time goes on, I realize that I get much more satisfaction and enjoyment out of repairing and restoring arcade machines than I get from actually playing them. I have 33 machines and I only play a select few of them, maybe 10 or so. So I find myself constantly contemplating selling everything off with the exception of those 10 or so. After I acquire a new machine and repair/restore it, it has a tendency to just sit there. Anyone else experience this dilemma? I know that the moment I sell them, I'd regret it, even though while I have them, I don't play them. Seems like a waste. Anyone else relate?
 
Oh boy. I do.

Few years back...sold about 50 fully restored games. Realized I didn't play them.

Hopefully the new owners enjoy them!

But, it was tough to let go after all the hours put in restoration...
 
You know, as time goes on, I realize that I get much more satisfaction and enjoyment out of repairing and restoring arcade machines than I get from actually playing them. I have 33 machines and I only play a select few of them, maybe 10 or so. So I find myself constantly contemplating selling everything off with the exception of those 10 or so. After I acquire a new machine and repair/restore it, it has a tendency to just sit there. Anyone else experience this dilemma? I know that the moment I sell them, I'd regret it, even though while I have them, I don't play them. Seems like a waste. Anyone else relate?

for reals man! 100% relate! of the 26 games i've purchased over the years, i have never
sold or traded a single one (yet)... the joy of this hobby mainly (80%) comes from fixing
them and restoring them back to their former glory (i keep the patina). the other 20%
comes from playing the game, but that quickly becomes boring and it mostly sits there
turned off for years... lol

games i'd sell for the right price: space invaders deluxe, pole position, karate champ vs,
centipede, missile command, kangaroo, asteroids, rockin' bowl-o-rama, frogger, tetris,
and indiana jones & the temple of doom.

games i'd sell for 2-4x the price (cuz i dont want to sell them): popeye, ms pacman,
millipede, gorf, defender, red tent vs, and pooyan.

games i'd never sell for any price: mappy, blue print, spy hunter, track & field, dr. mario,
crazy climber, elevator action, and burger time.

games i would be interested in trading for: anteater, armored car, baby pacman, bubbles,
flicky, galaga, gunbarich, joust, kick (kickman), lazarian, monster bash, moon patrol, pengo,
pandora's palace, pigskin 621 ad, robotron 2084, space zap, tutankham, and zoo keeper.

non-video game wants: elektra (pinball), pinbot (pinball), ice cold beer (weird game), etc...
 
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i think we all feel like this at one time or other [i think its your second post on this subject], i have about 35 now and lack of space if making me rethink my presence in this hobby.

that being said i think i would regret selling most of them and would get sellers remorse ;)
 
Been there. Bringing games back to life and staring at the attract mode is always better than playing them, not to mention reminiscent of my broke teen years!
 
I used to have games everywhere but now down to one vid one pin and the pin is leaving sunday(to a fellow klov'r) so after sunday I will have just my playchoice and my Fun Chicken and it fells pretty good.
 
games i'd never sell for any price: blue print

Well there's something you don't hear everyday.

I'm teasing. I have a couple of favorites I don't see myself ever wanting to sell, games that almost no one else gives a rip about.

And yes, zenomorp, I can relate.
 
I get more enjoyment finding and negotiating a deal for warehouses full... then it sucks after that until I sell them. Most of my games stay off unless I have guests lately. Ever since I mixed up the arcades and pins I'll get the urge to play. While technically anything is for sale, there are ines I would rather sell and replace with something else and ones I would rather keep. We have all been there though... just keep doing what makes you happy.
 
My happiness in this hobby really seems to come from two sources, I do love working through the issues and bring the games back to life...that's such a great personal satisfaction. But the real joy for me comes from having guests over and seeing them enjoy the game. My kids, my family, their friends, etc. I so love that. And it's been the biggest factor in driving my collection.

I think if I'm honest I've had deep regret in seeing most of my games sold or traded when I reflect on them, but as Kris mentions above...I'm just trying to do what's right and makes me happy.
 
Same here. I play my favorites, but have no trouble selling the ones I don't like.

Specifically, I enjoy fixing the electronics. I don't enjoy fixing the cabinet or the cosmetics.

Most of the time I keep my collection small enough to fit in half of my 2-car garage, so I typically fix something and sell it as soon as I find the next project. I've bought, fixed and immediately sold a Galaga at least 5 times in the last 3 years. That game has about 5 minutes of play-value to me, but everyone else seems to love it.
I have regretted selling 2 or 3 of them, but I expect them to come around again sometime: X-Men, Captain America, MK2
 
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Thanks all. I've decided I'll go through and figure out which ones to keep and sell the rest. Stay tuned for a list and for sale posts.
 
If your maxed out room wise or need the funds then sell some off, otherwise you will wake up one day wanting to play a certain game and it's gone.
 
If your maxed out room wise or need the funds then sell some off, otherwise you will wake up one day wanting to play a certain game and it's gone.

I doubt it. There will be weeks that go by without any of them being played. I just enjoy fixing them more than playing them.
 
Totally agree.

I'm pretty sure I'm about to finish putting the last spit and shine on most of my games and cash in. Cobwebs and dust in my arcade tell me that I've moved on to other pursuits.
 
Been there ... done that ... but usually on a smaller scale. I will sell a game or two or three... then end up regretting I sold one or two of them. Mix and repeat. Some games I didn't mind letting go and still don't mind having them in the collection... others, I miss. I wrote up a blog post about these regrets a while back... you can read it HERE if you're interested at all...

I am currently going through this process yet again. I have 3 games up for sale... and have determined I want to lose 2 more on top of that to loosen up the place a bit and give me a little breathing room. I assure you... I will regret one or more of the sales... that said, if I had a 5,000 sf warehouse I could fill... I probably would.
 
Much more enjoyment out of fixing, rather than playing. I've always kept my collection small due to space, so I only have games that I really love. There are one or two that could go in a pinch, but overall, I'm not overwhelmed with the number of games. I just got an ArcadeSD for my vertical JAMMA cabinet, so that will probably keep me from buying and keeping very many of the common classics (and a few uncommon hard to find games). Now, I mainly buy new games to restore and resell.
 
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