Renting Out Machines For Home Use (Pinball)

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So this is more Pinball related, because I think there would be more interest in renting those.

So - my location sucks for Pinball. Both buying machines and location play. There's nothing out there.

The Movie Theatre five hours away just actually just put in a Ghostbusters and a Fish Tales which has me ecstatic. I'm curious how long they will last though if they don't pull enough coin. This got me thinking.

I would rent a machine for $200-$300 per month no questions asked if it came with the ability to occasionally switch machines. If I would do it, I bet those people who want one or two machines for their shed / basement / mancave would too.

A $4000 machine rented out at $200 per month is a 5% ROI - per month. That's not a horrible return, in fact that's a 60% ROI per year. That's stellar from an investment standpoint. 20 months to pay for itself, which is not great from that perspective, but seems like a better deal then routing a machine. And yes I know, that does not account for, wear and tear and time, but bear with me as this is rough napkin math. Plus the assumption is that home based use will be a lot less damaging then routing.

I obviously need to flesh the idea out more, but I'm wondering what everyone thinks about the concept? I've look for threads on the idea, but can find minimum. I do know one guy renting out new machines to office locations who does fairly well - different province.

- Rent out pinball month by month. Probably a minimum 2/3 month commitment, repairs covered by me. After the 2/3 months they have the option to switch to another machine.
- Pinball will have more interest than arcade machines, but maybe bundle a nice 60 in 1 with a machine as well, increase the perceived value. Minimal extra cost to me, I've got like 40-50 cabs in storage.
- Price probably 200-300 per month.
- I live in a somewhat smaller area. Everyone knows everyone. This greatly decreases the chance of someone stealing a machine. If you've lived here for 30+ years and own a thriving business, you're probably not bugging out and stealing a machine from me. I wouldn't take just anyone.
- I've sold machines to a lot of people that would be the target demo. I can see them and their friends being interested.
- Someone is going to bring liability up, I might look into it, but unless this scaled and I had like 10 machines out at a time, I wouldn't bother with it.

Anyways, thoughts?
 
This community is not your target audience. We tend to enjoy fixing them more than we do playing them. As far as my set-up goes, it is more of a museum than an arcade.
 
This community is not your target audience. We tend to enjoy fixing them more than we do playing them. As far as my set-up goes, it is more of a museum than an arcade.

I know it's not. Not try to sell anything, just seeing what people think. I'm sure someone has tried something similar.
 
I know it's not. Not try to sell anything, just seeing what people think. I'm sure someone has tried something similar.

your ROI is wrong! i have almost 190 arcade and pinballs and have some locations. there is so much maintenance on pinballs it crazy and expensive which you don't have figured into your ROI. if your truly calculating ROI you need to deduct ALL your expenses which is machine cost, maintenance, LABOR to not only fix but to pick up machine and deliver, etc. i can tell you home use is probably going to be harder on the playfield than out on route because its free play and nothing stopping you from playing way more than one on route. have you ever stripped a playfield and clean it?? i spend 40-70 hours and with the play my games get i have to do it every 2 years or less along with monthly wipe down of the entire playfield and change out balls often.
 
I know it's not. Not try to sell anything, just seeing what people think. I'm sure someone has tried something similar.
If you search craigslist in the Minneapolis section I believe, there is a guy on there who does what your talking about doing. Not sure if he's on klov or not but drop him an email and ask him about it . I did and he responded back with a phone number to call and talk about it. Nice guy and would have lots of answers you are after I bet
 
There is a guy in Colorado that does this that's on pinside. I think he does it just out of fun and he is running out of room for his collection.
 
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