so, how much is my broke pin worth?

bottlejunkie

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Im just tired of messing with it! and i could fit another couple vids in my tiny game room with it gone. I paid $1000.00 for it less than 2 months ago and its been broke more than not, guess im just not a pin guy. I know theres no way to get what i have in it but was thinking maybe losing half my investment? would $500.00 be a good asking price?

original thread.

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=182964
 
The main problem is an MPU issue, right? You can get a guaranteed replacement board for it for $200. I think that would actually increase the value (your current asking price) by more than the cost of the replacement board. I struggled quite a bit with my first pinball machine. Its a whole different way of thinking and there is a lot more stuff to go wrong than with vids. Once you get through the steep learning curve, things will just start to click.

I found working on my Pinbot made me much more meticulous. So easy to forget or switch a connector when there are like 15 of them around the perimeter of the board. A vid wiring harness that used to look intimidating to me now looks comically simple.

Here is my suggestion... Don't touch pin for a month. If your angst has worn off, order the MPU and press on. If you're still not feeling it at that point, just let the machine go.

Good luck!
 
Don't sell it. You'll lose your ass. Pinheads will rape you on the price, and the general public isn't interested in a non-working pin.

I just read your thread, and commented. I think you should keep it and keep working at it.
 
Someone mentioned in the other thread about it being a "rare" game. 1600 units is indeed a low run. But it makes zero difference when it's a particular title that isn't highly sought after or remotely popular. I'm not saying it's not fun because with only 1600 made I've never played one. The point is I'm sure rarity plays a huge part in the lack of popularity.
I had previously mentioned I feel that particular title in semi working order is worth ~$400-$600. Even at that price I think you're going to have to find that one buyer that wants that particular title.
Working condition I'd speculate $800-$1000. See above in red again.
Either way I'd say it's safe to say you're going to take a loss on this. I'm not a cheap "raping" pinhead. I believe in paying fair market value for everything. However would you buy a non working pin knowing by the time you fix it, you'll have more money into it than what it's worth? No one would unless it was a grail pin for them.

So you need to decide now if you want to keep it, buy a new MPU for $200 raising your investment up to $1200 (losing $200-$400 if you sell it working) or sell it AS IS and take a $400-$600 loss. I'd say that's a pretty easy decision ;)

FWIW - It's terrible when shit like this happens. But you live and learn. You now know to do your homework and know the value of a pin before you buy it. But in the end when it comes actual value, does it really matter if it's something you sincerely enjoy? To me that in itself is an easy answer. NO, you can't put a price on happiness.
 
Keep it!!

Dude I bought my first pin in non-working condition over a year ago and it's still not working. I mess with it here and there and it is getting closer to working each time. I have since bought 4 other pins, also not working, that I have been able to get up and running with virtually no extra parts just my time. People won't pay hardly anything for a non-working pin. If it worked when you bought it and it wasn't smoking before it stopped working it can't be that bad I promise. Just stick with it and hit the forums for questions. Good luck and please don't get rid of it!!
 
Someone mentioned in the other thread about it being a "rare" game. 1600 units is indeed a low run. But it makes zero difference when it's a particular title that isn't highly sought after or remotely popular. I'm not saying it's not fun because with only 1600 made I've never played one. The point is I'm sure rarity plays a huge part in the lack of popularity.

Unfortunately the game's designer, Daniel Langois, doesn't have a record of cranking out highly-regarded games. That's another strike.

It's an obscure game, but 1600 is not that rare of a production run. I'd estimate the last 15 Stern models probably were produced in <1000 quantity.
 
awseome, i like that price MUCH better! have you used them?

While I do most repairs myself.....I don't do surface mount work. I've use Coin Op Cauldron to replace the big surface mount chip that goes bad on WPC 95 audio/video boards. I've always had positive results.

Edward
 
Someone was selling NOS 6803 MPUs in the $80 range for the longest time on ebay. They were in Canada too. I'm really kicking myself for not buying them all, throwing in some ROMS, and jacking the price like the guys who are now selling them on ebay. They had dozens of them.

I've got a Heavy Metal Meltdown. It's pretty fun. I wouldn't call it rare or desirable but it's definitely a fun pin as 6803 machines go. I can't comment on the price of one in non working condition but $500 seems unlikely.
 
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