WANTED: 1st Pinball (WI, IL, IA)

lpeters82

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Platteville, Wisconsin
We are hoping to find a working pinball from the late 80s or early 90s for $750 to $1000. Maybe wishful thinking, but based on some discussion with fellow pinsiders seems like it's possible. Hoping for a game like Whirlwind, Earthshaker, Johnny Mnemonic, Dracula, Judge Dredd, etc. Doesn't have to be one of those games, but something like that. We are willing to travel much of Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa. Even some of Minnesota (South East). We'd also be open to a game that needs minor work.

Thank you,
Luke & Liz
 
I sincerely wish you luck on finding a pin. While anything is possible, the games you have listed generally start over a grand. If you find one in your price range, the chances are it's going to be really roughed up and/or it's going to need freshening up such as coil sleeves, plungers, links and flipper rebuilding. The game will play like garbage until you do the basics. USe http://pinpedia.com to give you an idea of what you should expect to pay. When you're dealing with lower cost pins you REALLY need to purchase wisely because it takes very little time to put money into a machine that you won't get back out of it. In otherwords you can be upside down in no time flat.
 
I sincerely wish you luck on finding a pin. While anything is possible, the games you have listed generally start over a grand. If you find one in your price range, the chances are it's going to be really roughed up and/or it's going to need freshening up such as coil sleeves, plungers, links and flipper rebuilding. The game will play like garbage until you do the basics. USe http://pinpedia.com to give you an idea of what you should expect to pay. When you're dealing with lower cost pins you REALLY need to purchase wisely because it takes very little time to put money into a machine that you won't get back out of it. In otherwords you can be upside down in no time flat.

Agreed, those titles are going to be hard to find at those prices if they are not project games.
You might want to think about some Data East games. Not saying you will find a DE game that is in great condition for $750, but you might find one (DMD) for around a $1000. I got a Tales from the Crypt and a Last Action Hero for about that. You might also want to think about a something like a Party Zone or a Dr. Dude. Good Bally games that don't have such a high price tag on them. Strange Science is another one that I see around that price range sometimes.

Keep looking and you never know what will turn up.
 
Yeah, I know it's going to be tough. Seems like the average eBay sales from the games I was looking for was $1150-1350, but I figured it could happen. I've been basing most of my prices off of the actual sale prices since there is a huge range in price guides.

http://www.mindformation.com/pinball/ebay_sales_db.html

I'd also love to find a game like Party Zone. I'm also open to other suggestions. Most of the games I listed are my ideal, but I'm willing to shop around.
 
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80s Bally Vector
~$500- $1000
 
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The lack of pinball presence in Chicago is funny isn't it? You should be able to find anything there!
 
The lack of pinball presence in Chicago is funny isn't it? You should be able to find anything there!

I just checked craigslist and there are a few pins for sale up there and one of them is a Judge Dredd for $1600.

Losta pictures. ITs in crystal lake which could mean its a member here but I forget who that is.
 
I am at a point where I am willing to sell my pinbot. It was HUO only after 3 years in an arcade. I have it working great and even have a black vortex ramp from jackbot NOS set aside. New top rargets installed from Jackbot parts.

I was planning on doing an insane shop on it soon, but I am ready to let my first ever pin go for the asking price of $900. I would rate is at a 8.5 to a 9. If I super shop it out I will be looking for above $1K because of its condition.

Lincoln, NE if you are interested.
 
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Thank you for all the replies. Pinbot would be a nice machine, but that would be quite a long trip down to pick it up. Anyway, about a month ago I was able to track down a Jurassic Park. Although not one of the games I listed here it was one of the ones that I thought were a solid bang for your buck, plus it's my favorite move which is a bonus. The only problem is I'm now addicted to pinball and I'm already searching for my second machine. Seems like the market is really up right now, but I'm not looking for anything special so if anyone else happens to see something in my area still send me a PM.

Thanks again,
Luke
 
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