Typical arcade machine collectors don't typically purchase restored games

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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?
 
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I agree 100% - I can afford to buy nice games but I won't. I love finding some dusty, abused $100 cab and restoring it. It is all about the deal, the hunt and the restore.

For my home games I usually don't go all out and give them a complete make-over. I usually do the control panel and monitor first, so that gameplay is correct and enjoyable. I usually only really get games 100% the way I'd like them to be when they are up for sale! I'd rather work on getting one of my other 5-10 projects in waiting up and running rather than painting, sanding, painting, sanding... a game that gets play as is.
 
There are plenty of 'higher end' collectors out there, who want to spend larger dollar amounts on restored or well-preserved original machines.

They just aren't the types that post frequently on this forum.

One could argue that what you're describing is the typical KLOVer, but the collector community is bigger than just the people who post here.
 
One could argue that what you're describing is the typical KLOVer, but the collector community is bigger than just the people who post here.

I don't really sell any machines on KLOV. Mainly through Craigslist, a few on Facebook now and then. I doubt many high-end collectors get their machines from those venues, so that maybe why my exposure to them has been limited. I still think the high end collector are few and far between, definitely in the minority, thus not the typical collector of these things.
 
I don't really sell any machines on KLOV. Mainly through Craigslist, a few on Facebook now and then. I doubt many high-end collectors get their machines from those venues, so that maybe why my exposure to them has been limited. I still think the high end collector are few and far between, definitely in the minority, thus not the typical collector of these things.


That all may be true, but my point is that the community as a whole is much larger than what you see here, which in a way is the tip of a larger iceberg.

For every one of the 'cheap', 'looking for a bargain', 'somewhat technical', 'enjoys doing the restoration themselves' types that the KLOV community is largely comprised of, there are at least one who are more the 'I have money', 'little to no technical skill or interest', and 'just want working games to play in my basement with my kids' types. But they just don't participate here.

So it depends in a way what you are calling 'collector' (and are those types collectors or not). To me they are not the 'KLOV type' of collector, but I still consider them collectors, as they are housing a good number of surviving games in their homes, and they enjoy the games.

Those are more the people who buy fully restored games. Guys like TNT cater to that crowd.
 
I guess I'm the exception then. I am someone who enjoys the hunt and the restoration, but who can totally get behind and support someone who has restored a game to my liking. I wouldn't hesitate one moment or have a problem with buying a top notch restoration. I used to restore in the early years. Been there done that! Most of my collection started out in the mid 90s. I hunted and scoured for my games through the local classifieds and would spend many hours in the garage restoring these things to like new condition....Nowadays, I still appreciate the restore, but just don't have that kind of time. I'm trying to get back into it and I do have my next couple of restorations planned. Now if I can just find the time.
 
I like to find games that may have a few marks and scuffs here and there, but are also nice enough to where I can leave it in it's current state and not have to do much to it and just enjoy playing it.
 
Yeah, I think there's such a spectrum of people. The only ones that annoy me are the trolls and price police and crybabies about how all games should be $4. Sure it's fun to find a good deal, but I think it's way more fun to get the game I've wanted for years and finally have the chance to play it a lot. Then it's fun to sell it to someone who's also wanted it for years and the cycle continues.

I do like putting on new art or fixing things that are worn, but I'm a player more than a collector. I don't really care if people are impressed. I DO care if they want to play warlords with me.

And I don't hate on the people who pay top dollar for the nice restorations or for the game they've wanted forever. I'm happy for them to get what they want. And that cash fuels the repro businesses and everyone wins.

Ok, that's enough klov for me. I'm going to go play pinball....
 
I actually have more fun during the restoration process. Changing something from beat up and gunky to factory fresh looking and new. Once I'm done, some of the charm is gone. I finished up my first cabinet last year and kind of disappeared for a bit. Am now restoring an MK2 cabinet so am around for a while.
 
For every one of the 'cheap', 'looking for a bargain', 'somewhat technical', 'enjoys doing the restoration themselves' types that the KLOV community is largely comprised of, there are at least one who are more the 'I have money', 'little to no technical skill or interest', and 'just want working games to play in my basement with my kids' types. But they just don't participate here.

That is me to a T. Got a PC-10 and a nice TMNT / Turtles in Time 2 in one full restore that actually has the exact build thread on here from 2015. Both in my basement, both I have little interest in time to tinker with, and both mainly to play with my kids or as a conversation piece when friends come over.

But for someone like me, there's only so much to talk about on KLOV. I do more reading than posting. It makes sense that the most vocal people here are going to be the ones doing the restores, very active traders, etc. The collector of a few cabs doesn't have a ton to talk about here.
 
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