Pinball Classifieds Site

Tim N.

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Location
Helenville, Wisconsin
I know there are plenty of resources out there to buy/sell pinballs (including this forum), but if you are looking for another avenue to buy/sell stuff without the BS of Craigslist, feel free to check out http://pinlistings.com

I am also very aware of the other classified sites out there (I even post them as links on my own site), I just feel they don't offer many of the features I would like (personally) in a classifieds site.

Feedback of all sorts is always appreciated, and if you like it and want to use it, great...if not, great too.... I have been in the hobby 11 years, and while I offer tech support when I can, I felt like this was a little bit better way for me to give back to the hobby that I have enjoyed for so long.

Thanks...Tim
 
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I know there are plenty of resources out there to buy/sell pinballs (including this forum), but if you are looking for another avenue to buy/sell stuff without the BS of Craigslist, feel free to check out http://pinlistings.com

I am also very aware of the other classified sites out there (I even post them as links on my own site), I just feel they don't offer many of the features I would like (personally) in a classifieds site.

Feedback of all sorts is always appreciated, and if you like it and want to use it, great...if not, great too.... I have been in the hobby 11 years, and while I offer tech support when I can, I felt like this was a little bit better way for me to give back to the hobby that I have enjoyed for so long.

Thanks...Tim

I always preach it's better to have too much than not enough so thanks for your creation.
Can I be nosy and ask why you've created another site instead of using what is already available?
I've been watching http://pynball.com (as it's relatively new and for that matter down at the moment lol) and that (IMHO) doesn't seem to be working out so well which is really quite unfortunate.
 
I always preach it's better to have too much than not enough so thanks for your creation.
Can I be nosy and ask why you've created another site instead of using what is already available?
I've been watching http://pynball.com (as it's relatively new and for that matter down at the moment lol) and that (IMHO) doesn't seem to be working out so well which is really quite unfortunate.

You sure can, anyone that knows me, knows I am just blunt (and it isn't to be taken as an insult)....

I simply think what is out there is kind of repetitive. (I know, it's a classified site, how repetitive can it NOT be?).... But my rules are a little different.

I am trying to cut down on the junk classifieds that litter every site. You know the ones....

Will drag machine out of basement, pay cash to haul,etc. They are generic and just take up space. Same goes for trades... I have xxxx, will trade for xxxxx.... The chances of these trades are slim to none, I just to want it to be in the way of real world scenarios.

I guess I feel like with the ground rules laid out, the site can actually be a resource for people instead of "just one more site I have to weed through to see if there is a deal". Listing services offered and wanted is a great way for the undeucated to see what is in their area (and having a feedback of those said services keeps those service people honest)

Some functions are running- Twitter, Facebook, RSS Feeds, and some are soon to come. (I would like to add a feedback section, comment section)

I most recently added a "Available at show" function. You check the box when you list(no seperate spreadsheet), and you can see (and search) any part or machine that will be at any published pinball show....
 
Is this site brand new? I couldnt find any machines. I also tried searching for something and now I cant get the damn keyword out of the box. I got a headache and left.

the word speed, no matter how many times I deleted it would not go away, after I tried searching for it.
 
Is this site brand new? I couldnt find any machines. I also tried searching for something and now I cant get the damn keyword out of the box. I got a headache and left.

the word speed, no matter how many times I deleted it would not go away, after I tried searching for it.

The site is about 36 hours old, so it is pretty new. :)

As far as the search, it is a cached search, geared towards a much larger inventory of product (as the site grows). What does that mean? Well, if you type in Speed, and then you see 500 results with the word speed in it, you then drill down even further using the other fields-State, type of product (parts, games, etc.) (It will keep the word speed in it as you drill down).

To clear out your search, simply backspace the word "speed" out of your search and click the search button (this will take you back to searching all). From there you can browse as you normally would, if you choose to browse.

In the last hour, 7 machines have been added, so the site will only be as good as the people posting to it...

To search by state only(all ads), click on advanced search, choose your state (no subject) and click search.

Thanks for the feedback, I take it seriously and can only hope your experience is a positive one...Tim
 
To clear out your search, simply backspace the word "speed" out of your search and click the search button (this will take you back to searching all). From there you can browse as you normally would, if you choose to browse.

I would take out that "feature" personally. It's not intuitive at all and many people will think there are either no listings or the site is broken. I thought it was a code bug personally. If I search for something then click "browse all" I don't expect to be taken to a page that just repeats my search, yet that's exactly what happens.

Cool site though. I hope it takes off. So far the last few attempts haven't exactly caught on.
 
I would take out that "feature" personally. It's not intuitive at all and many people will think there are either no listings or the site is broken. I thought it was a code bug personally. If I search for something then click "browse all" I don't expect to be taken to a page that just repeats my search, yet that's exactly what happens.

Cool site though. I hope it takes off. So far the last few attempts haven't exactly caught on.

Thanks Lindsey, I completely agree with what you are saying (especially because it is so glaring right now being small). I am working on coding a "Clear search" button next to the Search one, so that I can maintain the functionality should the site grow immensely.

I hope it takes off as well, only because of my desire to have a GOOD site with no BS listings. There are a lot of great features in other sites, but the rules that guide them are all too similar.

Listings are starting to trickle in now, and they are all following the rules, and personally I like how the site is looking with defined costs, variables, pictures, etc.

I have had a ton of responses so far (very positive ones too), so I am hoping that responses will turn into actual postings. I can only shape the site, you guys are the ones that will MAKE the site....

I know its in infancy stage, and there will be growing pains, but I will plug away at it to get traffic generated, and get your stuff bought/sold.

Thanks again...Tim
 
Not to mention all the spam you get from Mr Pinball when you list there! So frustrating!
 
Thanks Lindsey, I completely agree with what you are saying (especially because it is so glaring right now being small). I am working on coding a "Clear search" button next to the Search one, so that I can maintain the functionality should the site grow immensely.

I hope it takes off as well, only because of my desire to have a GOOD site with no BS listings. There are a lot of great features in other sites, but the rules that guide them are all too similar.

Listings are starting to trickle in now, and they are all following the rules, and personally I like how the site is looking with defined costs, variables, pictures, etc.

I have had a ton of responses so far (very positive ones too), so I am hoping that responses will turn into actual postings. I can only shape the site, you guys are the ones that will MAKE the site....

I know its in infancy stage, and there will be growing pains, but I will plug away at it to get traffic generated, and get your stuff bought/sold.

Thanks again...Tim

Just an update (copied from my post on RGP)

I have just added a few more features to Pinlistings- Embedded Google
Maps, and Embedded Youtube Integration. Both are working 100% and are
very easy to use. An example of a listing using both is here- http://pinlistings.com/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&view=details&id=36&catid=2&Itemid=3

I am very impressed with the traffic coming to the site (have had over
1600 unique visitors in the last three weeks) and would like to keep
it going with more great listings from RGP. I do use Google adwords
and Facebook ads to generate site traffic, and have recently sold 2
machines via pinlistings from Facebook referrals (to people that have
never owned a pinball before.) I don't think traffic is going to be an
issue, as it has been strong.


The issue right now, is I don't have enough stuff to sell (I have sold
most of the items I have had listed). Right now, I believe the
audience is there, but the supply is low. If you have stuff to sell,
give it a whirl (or stuff you want to buy).


Quick list of features that may be of interest-


Social Media Integration- Get listings From Facebook, RSS, and Twitter
automatically


Services Section- Need something shipped? Need someone for a house
call? Can you offer service (repair,shipping,etc.)?


Pinball Show Integration- No seperate spreadsheet, just click on the
dropdown what show the game could be available, and it is now a
searchable field. (If you click advanced search, and just select the
dropdown for the show, it will list every machine/item at that show
available)


Traffic- As mentioned before, the audience is there (would love to
have a much larger audience), but something that suffers with a new
site is people spending the time to list their stuff, but they don't
have anyone to look at it.


No BS Policy- Keeps the site clutter free from the stuff we are tired
of seeing all over (Looking for any non-working machine, will pay top
dollar-IE 25 bucks), etc.


Support- should any issues arise, I will do my best to offer support/
assistance within 24 hours (what else is someone with insomnia
supposed to do a 2am?)


A Sold Section- See what people have sold, and what it has sold for.
(gives a good baseline for pricing)


I am working on other features, that I will announce as they are
ready, but I don't want to overpost RGP with- Come to pinlistings!....
If you like it great, if you don't, well I won't lose any sleep over
it (I don't think that is possible).....


If you have feedback for the site, please let me know (or post here, I
don't really care) as Iong as I am able to see your feedback, I can
respond back.....
 
I like your site and I check it daily. I haven't had anything to sell since it went live so unfortunately I can't comment on that side of it.

One question, when someone marks an ad as sold, do you prompt them to update the ad with the actual selling price? Having the sold machine's info available is a nice addition and it does help you to gauge machine values, but if the "sold" price data is only the asking prices it will be artificially inflated. I know that the data may never get revised or entered, but it wouldn't hurt to ask and report actual sale prices if they are given.
 
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I like your site and I check it daily. I haven't had anything to sell since it went live so unfortunately I can't comment on that side of it.

One question, when someone marks an ad as sold, do you prompt them to update the ad with the actual selling price? Having the sold machine's info available is a nice addition and it does help you to gauge machine values, but if the "sold" price data is only the asking prices it will be artificially inflated. I know that the data may never get revised or entered, but it wouldn't hurt to ask and report actual sale prices if they are given.

Two of the four I know sold for the asking price. My intention is to definitely keep the prices in line with reality, thus the "sold" section in the first place. I have contacted one (not the other yet), to see if they would share the actual selling price. I am also hoping to contact a couple of other sites for permission to embed their data into my site with selling prices, to give people a good baseline of what to ask for something (obviously they can ask whatever they want, but if they want it to actually sell, the baseline will be helpful).

Good question, as I want this site to be as resourceful as possible without so much of the same that is already out there.
 
i know it's pinlistings but have you considered having an arcade section. i think this would really help out both sides. even though pins are my first love, i've reallly started to warm up to arcades. and these are hell of lot cheaper to buy for the average consumer. just a thought i know, it's called pinlistings but worth a shot to have a separate section maybe beta it for awhile or something. plus you would probably get a heck lot more listings. i would definitely consider posting one of my arcades or parts for that matter. i'm really attached to my pins. and I only have 2 anyways.
 
i know it's pinlistings but have you considered having an arcade section. i think this would really help out both sides. even though pins are my first love, i've reallly started to warm up to arcades. and these are hell of lot cheaper to buy for the average consumer. just a thought i know, it's called pinlistings but worth a shot to have a separate section maybe beta it for awhile or something. plus you would probably get a heck lot more listings. i would definitely consider posting one of my arcades or parts for that matter. i'm really attached to my pins. and I only have 2 anyways.

I thought about that before I did pinlistings, having all in one, but I think it would become a bit muddled because it would be a little bit of both. If there is SERIOUS interest in having an arcade classifieds site that would be identical to the pinlistings one, I may consider it.

I have been in the pinball hobby for 11 years, and I felt like this was a way for me to give back to the community that I have learned so much from. While I have had arcades come and go (only have a mame machine and a Daytona sitdown Twin right now), Pinball has always been my one consistent hobby (and aircooled VWs)....

Again, if there was an overwhelming response to do an arcade "sister" site, I would certainly consider it.
 
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