newsheriffintown
Well-known member
Typical arcade machine collectors don't typically purchase restored games
I wish I kept up with exactly how many, but I estimate that I have sold no less than 300 arcade machines for local pickup since I have been in this hobby. For me, one of the most enjoyable elements of this hobby is the "pickup" whether it's me selling or going to get the machine. You see all kinds of folks from all walks of life. I always make sure to ask about their other machines, what they do for a living, etc. Even my wife and daughter enjoy observing the pickups. I pay particular attention to these folks because you just don't meet fellow arcade collectors ever day and its nice to learn who the people are who are doing it.
Some come in shiny new trucks, others in beater station wagons, some in oversized u-hauls, and even the occasional Prius. Some bring their partners in crime (aka Bros in cade) , others bring their spouse or children, and I have even had the occasion to see someone bring their "life partner." A majority of these people share certain common traits which I feel define the typical arcade game collector:
The typical arcade machine collector is generally good people. Maybe that's because they all have a little geek/nerd in them. Very few have I seen with tape on their glasses, but y'all know what I mean. And since thug geeks are very rare, I generally have no concern about a typical collector trying to rip me off or doing me bodily harm. They are usually very friendly and pleasurable to be around and welcomed in my home. I think I have only met one asshole arcade collector, but he was certainly not a typical arcade collector. There are a few assholes on this forum, but I didn't figure that in as i bet they are different people in person.
The typical arcade machine collector, enjoys the pickup. He enjoys seeing the target of his hunt in it's current environment, meeting the seller, and learning the history of the piece, etc.
The typical arcade collector has at least 3 machines or wishes he had space for atleast 3 machines. He loves the hunt and will continue to check Facebook, Craigslist, or letgo even if he doesn't have the room for another machine, and often has "projects" tucked away somewhere.
The typical arcade collector is not looking to break the bank when they acquire a new piece. If they make minimum wage or 100 times that, part of the hunt is getting a good deal. While he knows it's not really a great "investment" he will buy things just because they are a good deal, then tell himself how he can always get his money back if not 2x or 3x in order to justify the purchase of the next piece.
Because the typical arcade collector enjoys the history of the piece, he appreciates the battle scars for the history it tells or the deal it got him and is usually happy with just getting the machine to operate as designed. He typically does not "restore" all of his machines cosmetically and is interested only in making it presentable. Of course, "presentable" is a term that varies widely.
Even when restored games are readily available, the need to get a "deal" will usually keep a typical collector from purchasing a restored game at a premium price. Sure, the typical arcade collector has an appreciation for restored games and may even routinely restore a few themselves, but the "deal" "history" "investment" and "pickup" are things that are missing from ordering a restored game and having it shipped to you. Of all the guys I have sold to, not a one has mentioned that they purchase or seek out restored games nor has any described owning restored games outside of those they have restored themselves.
For the record, I see restoration as a POSITIVE thing. The cost of acquiring even junk examples, cost of artwork, hours invested, and parts needed more than justify the price tags on these things. Sometimes you can never put a price tag that compensates you for the time spent. Usually restorations bring back an original that was long lost and destined for destruction. They are however, a different product and a different market.
Perhaps my experience is unique to the south or maybe I appeal to lower level collectors as I have sold only a handful of games which were priced for more than $1,000. Still, it seems that to compare prices on restored games vs nice originals you must consider that the typical collector does not purchase restored games, and thus there are two different markets. Sure there are obvious exceptions and reasons why a typical arcade collector might purchase restored games- and there is nothing wrong with being something other than a typical arcade machine collector as that doesn't automatically make you a Kaneada. You might be one of those guys who should never be close to a sander or a saw, you may not have the time to screw with these things, you might have more money that you aren't afraid to spend on toys than others.... However, I am willing to bet that fewer than 15% of the folks reading this post routinely purchase restored machines vs. the typical arcade collector who would rather seek out an original and either restore it himself or continue on the hunt until he finds a nice deal on a nicer machine that he wants. If restored games sell for far more than similar nice originals, then that only benefits the typical collector.
Thoughts?
I wish I kept up with exactly how many, but I estimate that I have sold no less than 300 arcade machines for local pickup since I have been in this hobby. For me, one of the most enjoyable elements of this hobby is the "pickup" whether it's me selling or going to get the machine. You see all kinds of folks from all walks of life. I always make sure to ask about their other machines, what they do for a living, etc. Even my wife and daughter enjoy observing the pickups. I pay particular attention to these folks because you just don't meet fellow arcade collectors ever day and its nice to learn who the people are who are doing it.
Some come in shiny new trucks, others in beater station wagons, some in oversized u-hauls, and even the occasional Prius. Some bring their partners in crime (aka Bros in cade) , others bring their spouse or children, and I have even had the occasion to see someone bring their "life partner." A majority of these people share certain common traits which I feel define the typical arcade game collector:
The typical arcade machine collector is generally good people. Maybe that's because they all have a little geek/nerd in them. Very few have I seen with tape on their glasses, but y'all know what I mean. And since thug geeks are very rare, I generally have no concern about a typical collector trying to rip me off or doing me bodily harm. They are usually very friendly and pleasurable to be around and welcomed in my home. I think I have only met one asshole arcade collector, but he was certainly not a typical arcade collector. There are a few assholes on this forum, but I didn't figure that in as i bet they are different people in person.
The typical arcade machine collector, enjoys the pickup. He enjoys seeing the target of his hunt in it's current environment, meeting the seller, and learning the history of the piece, etc.
The typical arcade collector has at least 3 machines or wishes he had space for atleast 3 machines. He loves the hunt and will continue to check Facebook, Craigslist, or letgo even if he doesn't have the room for another machine, and often has "projects" tucked away somewhere.
The typical arcade collector is not looking to break the bank when they acquire a new piece. If they make minimum wage or 100 times that, part of the hunt is getting a good deal. While he knows it's not really a great "investment" he will buy things just because they are a good deal, then tell himself how he can always get his money back if not 2x or 3x in order to justify the purchase of the next piece.
Because the typical arcade collector enjoys the history of the piece, he appreciates the battle scars for the history it tells or the deal it got him and is usually happy with just getting the machine to operate as designed. He typically does not "restore" all of his machines cosmetically and is interested only in making it presentable. Of course, "presentable" is a term that varies widely.
Even when restored games are readily available, the need to get a "deal" will usually keep a typical collector from purchasing a restored game at a premium price. Sure, the typical arcade collector has an appreciation for restored games and may even routinely restore a few themselves, but the "deal" "history" "investment" and "pickup" are things that are missing from ordering a restored game and having it shipped to you. Of all the guys I have sold to, not a one has mentioned that they purchase or seek out restored games nor has any described owning restored games outside of those they have restored themselves.
For the record, I see restoration as a POSITIVE thing. The cost of acquiring even junk examples, cost of artwork, hours invested, and parts needed more than justify the price tags on these things. Sometimes you can never put a price tag that compensates you for the time spent. Usually restorations bring back an original that was long lost and destined for destruction. They are however, a different product and a different market.
Perhaps my experience is unique to the south or maybe I appeal to lower level collectors as I have sold only a handful of games which were priced for more than $1,000. Still, it seems that to compare prices on restored games vs nice originals you must consider that the typical collector does not purchase restored games, and thus there are two different markets. Sure there are obvious exceptions and reasons why a typical arcade collector might purchase restored games- and there is nothing wrong with being something other than a typical arcade machine collector as that doesn't automatically make you a Kaneada. You might be one of those guys who should never be close to a sander or a saw, you may not have the time to screw with these things, you might have more money that you aren't afraid to spend on toys than others.... However, I am willing to bet that fewer than 15% of the folks reading this post routinely purchase restored machines vs. the typical arcade collector who would rather seek out an original and either restore it himself or continue on the hunt until he finds a nice deal on a nicer machine that he wants. If restored games sell for far more than similar nice originals, then that only benefits the typical collector.
Thoughts?



