pseeds
Active member
One never knows the condition of a game until seen in person
So I made a run to Houston, TX last week. Started out as one stop and turned into 4. Figure it makes sense to maximize pickups on a trip. Night before the run I see a converted Dig Dug. One pic of the machine from the front. Converted to Gang Wars - http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7909
Ad indicates plays blind and seller says they don't know much about games.
Asking $200.00. Offer $75.00. Counter $100.00. Ok.
Get there. Stop #3. Way behind schedule (Remember another reason I don't like Houston - traffic) on Friday at 1715 or so. Hot, tired, etc. Machine is outside. Looks like a turd that didn't flush. Seriously, worst machine I have seen. Cabinet cracked on one side, beat up, hole in back door where lock would be, filthy, etc. Not a $100.00 machine. Get the seller. Explain position. Agree on $75.00 (still high but I am there and think I can salvage parts). Pay $60.00 and need to get $15.00 change from other pocket. Ask again about problems with game. Look through hole in back door (always have a flashlight) at monitor and see no yoke on tube! (not sure if it is inside cabinet). Chassis is there. Dude, not a $75.00 machine. Tell seller $60.00 is it. Seller agrees. Load turd and back bottom piece where switch and power cord are located falls off. This was likely a $10 game (or less) at auction.
One just never knows the condition of a game until it is seen in person. That bites for long hauls but at least this machine wasn't the reason I made the haul.
Just another experience. If the board works I will be happy as I wanted that game and can get some good cabinet parts off it. I may yet try to salvage the cabinet as the Dig Dug side art doesn't look super bad. I could visualize a 60-in-1 in that cabinet and have no remorse about doing that since this machine lost its essence many years ago.
EDIT: Ha! Listing still on CL -
http://houston.craigslist.org/vgm/1870734015.html
"This arcade game is at least as old as 1984. It needs to be serviced. The screen is broken and we believe that the tube needs to be replaced. It powers up and the sound works fine. With a little work, this game will be back to functioning in no time! Make an offer! "
This was the only picture I ever saw until I saw the game in person:
Seller added later:
I still would have been interested even with all the pictures. The crack is not really visible. It is toward the top bend at about 2/3 monitor level on the left side as I recall.
So I made a run to Houston, TX last week. Started out as one stop and turned into 4. Figure it makes sense to maximize pickups on a trip. Night before the run I see a converted Dig Dug. One pic of the machine from the front. Converted to Gang Wars - http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7909
Ad indicates plays blind and seller says they don't know much about games.
Asking $200.00. Offer $75.00. Counter $100.00. Ok.
Get there. Stop #3. Way behind schedule (Remember another reason I don't like Houston - traffic) on Friday at 1715 or so. Hot, tired, etc. Machine is outside. Looks like a turd that didn't flush. Seriously, worst machine I have seen. Cabinet cracked on one side, beat up, hole in back door where lock would be, filthy, etc. Not a $100.00 machine. Get the seller. Explain position. Agree on $75.00 (still high but I am there and think I can salvage parts). Pay $60.00 and need to get $15.00 change from other pocket. Ask again about problems with game. Look through hole in back door (always have a flashlight) at monitor and see no yoke on tube! (not sure if it is inside cabinet). Chassis is there. Dude, not a $75.00 machine. Tell seller $60.00 is it. Seller agrees. Load turd and back bottom piece where switch and power cord are located falls off. This was likely a $10 game (or less) at auction.
One just never knows the condition of a game until it is seen in person. That bites for long hauls but at least this machine wasn't the reason I made the haul.
Just another experience. If the board works I will be happy as I wanted that game and can get some good cabinet parts off it. I may yet try to salvage the cabinet as the Dig Dug side art doesn't look super bad. I could visualize a 60-in-1 in that cabinet and have no remorse about doing that since this machine lost its essence many years ago.
EDIT: Ha! Listing still on CL -
http://houston.craigslist.org/vgm/1870734015.html
"This arcade game is at least as old as 1984. It needs to be serviced. The screen is broken and we believe that the tube needs to be replaced. It powers up and the sound works fine. With a little work, this game will be back to functioning in no time! Make an offer! "
This was the only picture I ever saw until I saw the game in person:
Seller added later:
I still would have been interested even with all the pictures. The crack is not really visible. It is toward the top bend at about 2/3 monitor level on the left side as I recall.
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