Warehouse Ettiquette Tips

keyland

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Hi All,

Sorry to add clutter to the forum here. I've recently gotten into the hobby and after scratch building a MAME cabinet, I have decided to restore a classic as a second project. Unfortunately in my area there aren't any amusement auctions, nothing close by on ebay, and craigslist is a joke.

The other day I noticed a sticker on a local machine, looked up the operator, and sent them a brief and polite email asking about out of service equipment. I received an equally polite reply this morning.

Hey (keyland),
My office gal forwarded your email to me. I have some cabinets for sure. I don't have much as far as spare boards. I have a few different cocktail cabinets. One Ms Pacman that has some issues. I have an arkanoid in a cocktail cabinet that works fine. I have misc standup games in misc condition. I have a good Virtual twin fighting game that works I want to sell. Feel free to give me a call. Really best to set up a time to come by & see though.

Long introduction aside, my point is this: I appreciate his offer immensely and would like to go see what's available but I want to be certain to not waste his time or insult him. This is my first visit with anyone in 'the biz' and I'm a little nervous. I know there are 'rules' to abide by when visiting a warehouse and I want to make sure I don't forget any of them. At this point I'm aware of the following general rules:

- Bring a Flashlight
- Long Extension Cord
- Limit Visit To 15-20 Minutes
- Bring A Notepad
- Bring Camera
- Don't trash talk the games
- Don't mention the word 'cheap'

Added From Other Members:
- Bring Money!
- Bring Truck!
- Bring Dolly!
- Be prepared to buy as-is.
- Money talks, but keep some of it hidden just in case you can't make a deal.
- Make sure you're paying a fair price. If the machine is too spendy, you don't have to buy it. Also, see next item.
- Always be polite when negotiating. It may lower your price both on this deal and future purchases.
- If possible, buy in bulk. You will pay less per unit and get more salvageable parts to pay for the cabs you actually want to keep.

Is there anything else important that I'm forgetting before I set up an appointment and see what he's got?
 
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You forgot the two biggest ones. Bring money, and bring a truck. If you buy something right there on the spot, he'll know you're not just kicking the tires and will feel like he got something out of it. Also I'd be pretty honest when you get there about what you intend to spend, so he doesn't have any misconceptions about what's going on. Also don't mark out too much like a little kid, but do compliment his collection.

"You've got a lot of great stuff here, just needs a little work, eh?"

"I'm going to look around a bit and see what you've got, I won't be in your way too long"

etc. just make him feel like you're not trying to impose and that it's no big deal. Don't act like this is the greatest thing you've ever seen or act like you're going to be there all day.
 
Don't overpay. See if he has a "standard price" for non-working games so that you can get an idea if he is out of your price range. Bring a dolly and a pickup if you are sure you are going to get something. Bring cash but don't keep it on you. When you flash a huge wad they up the prices. If you are coming back later but get a deal arranged, have some sort of invoice generated with specific details on which games you are getting, what you are paying for them, when you will get them and pay a deposit (20% should be sufficient). This way you have a legal and binding contract. Be prompt. Don't drool. Act disinterested in most everything. Be enthusiastic about any game he wants to sell but explain that perhaps you aren't interested in that really and would prefer to purchase projects to build up your skill set.
 
You forgot the two biggest ones. Bring money, and bring a truck. If you buy something right there on the spot, he'll know you're not just kicking the tires and will feel like he got something out of it. Also I'd be pretty honest when you get there about what you intend to spend, so he doesn't have any misconceptions about what's going on. Also don't mark out too much like a little kid, but do compliment his collection.

"You've got a lot of great stuff here, just needs a little work, eh?"

"I'm going to look around a bit and see what you've got, I won't be in your way too long"

etc. just make him feel like you're not trying to impose and that it's no big deal. Don't act like this is the greatest thing you've ever seen or act like you're going to be there all day.

Thanks for your reply.

I figured those two were givens but I'll throw them in my original post.

That was about the tone of my original message too... something along the lines of "just wondering if you've got any old stuff that's out of service and taking up space. If it's not much trouble for you I'd like to check out what you've got and see if I can add to my collection. Here's my number."
 
Long introduction aside, my point is this: I appreciate his offer immensely and would like to go see what's available but I want to be certain to not waste his time or insult him. This is my first visit with anyone in 'the biz' and I'm a little nervous. I know there are 'rules' to abide by when visiting a warehouse and I want to make sure I don't forget any of them. At this point I'm aware of the following general rules:

- Bring a Flashlight
- Long Extension Cord
- Limit Visit To 15-20 Minutes
- Bring A Notepad
- Bring Camera
- Don't trash talk the games
- Don't mention the word 'cheap'

Is there anything else important that I'm forgetting before I set up an appointment and see what he's got?

Welcome Keyland,

Most the time, the warehouse you go to will have power and lights. I think the vendor down there you speak of might be Jamie with Mountain Vending or something like that. Anyways, as mentioned above, you really should head over there with the intent to buy atleast one- even if it's a project cab (be sure you only pay project prices).
A flash light, notepad, and camera are good, but realistically the more you kick the tires on a single game, the more likely they'll charge you more.
Biggest bargaining chip for you at a vendor's place is to just say, "Hey, I want old games that you'll never have on route, I could care less if they work."
The more of those you buy to clear space out for him, the lower the price. Many of the games that my buddy bought this way (possibly the same vendor) needed only minor fixes, like wiring harness and cap kits.

Eugene, eh? You'll have to talk with BigSleepy on here. He's our other homie down there.


Edit: oh yeah, be prepared to see assloads of Arkanoids and Neo Geos
 
Be prepared to buy as-is, without opening coin or back doors, or asking a whole lot of questions. Some ops will entertain questions, others will get turned off real quick. If you need service from him, be prepared to pay through the nose for it. Otherwise shut up and haul it home and open it there. Also don't whine about the prices. If he's asking too much, just politely say you can't pay that much and make a fair counter-offer. Be prepared to leave empty-handed. Just my $0.02.

Also, holding cash in your hand while you talk does wonders!
 
I agree about the cash thing whole heartedly, I mean it's obvious that you'll be paying with cash, but something about just saying it and acting like you're not fucking around makes them happy. LOL Like Bit slicer said too don't whine about the prices, if you complain about pricing, he'll just shut up and that will be the end of it, then the next game will be even more.

"I'll take $300 for it"..

You:

"Hmmm. That's a good price, it looks like it's all there. I'm not a huge Ms. Pac-Man fan though, my wife kind of likes it. I couldn't do $300 but I could do $200 cash and take it with me, maybe I'll get some more stuff too"

Something like that works much better. It's fine to want things cheaper, and make respsectful offers, the WRONG way to handle it is

"I'll take $300 for it"

"$300? It's broken, the back door is missing, I'm going to have to spend money on this and that, I think it's worth more like $200"

That'll get you a push right out the door.... even though it's the same exact sentiment as the first response.
 
Wow,

Thanks for all the replies so fast everyone. Sounds like I'm on the right track. I am definitely looking for a project cabinet, with a few games that I'm more interested in than others.

I'm also an electronics technician by trade so I feel fairly confident in being able to troubleshoot/repair boards as long as the cabinet itself is solid.

I was figuring a hundred to two hundred bucks should get me a project cabinet or two; am I being realistic there?
 
... just come here to Idaho... we have stuff cheap here.

:D

Interested in a Great 1000 Mile Rally? There's a Space Invaders on CL... looks decent enough...been on CL for weeks at $200.... I've been doing my best to hold back the urge to offer $100... I don't need it or want it damnit!
 
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Sounds about right, but take more just in case. I would think $200 would be tops on a cabinet that you really really wanted and was dedicated, if it's not working. Run of the mill cabinets that aren't that desirable you should be able to get for $100-$150 all day long, if you're lucky they'll be less.

Just tell him when you get there, "Yeah, I'm an electronics tech and I always wanted to mess with some of these for my house, show me what you've got that needs rebuilt" or something like that, so he won't waste his time showing you what he feels is the 'nice' stuff.
 
Also, holding cash in your hand while you talk does wonders!

I definitely agree with this one. Cash talks. (Although like someone said before, don't show ALL of your cash at once!) :)

I think there is definitely something to be said for getting in and getting out in a short amount of time. Show up ready to do business in an efficient manner.
 
Keyland, sorry to derail but since you're in Eugene: if you're interested in joining a group of portland area collectors which is googlegroups based (email), shoot me your email in PM and I'll add you to the group. Feel free to ask any questions too. Welcome to klov!
 
I was figuring a hundred to two hundred bucks should get me a project cabinet or two; am I being realistic there?

If it's the same dude who has stuff in Eugene, Corvallis and Albany, $200 usually gets you a working older machine and $100 gets you nice looking projects.

My buddy paid $1100 for 15 projects/ working machines and made them all work AND resold a couple to pay for the entire lot. Bulk buying is where its at with vendors.

Also Keyland, run into the Gateway mall's Tilt arcade and Albany's Heritage mall. They might still be having their year end sells. Some larger machines and older machines get the axe for less than $200. While other fighters go for $400. Good thing here is stuff works when you buy it.
 
Edited my first post again for cliff's notes for anyone who may have bookmarked this already :)

I'll check out Tilt just because it's close but since they downsized I doubt there's much in ours worth taking.

ShanMan: YGPM

Also, don't tempt me to come to Idaho. I have friends in Boise and Family in Sandpoint. Now that I think of it, my Uncle owned a roller rink and had several pins and arcade cabs in storage at one point. Wonder what happened to all of that...
 
I been to 2 warehouses. I trashed talk games that were complete crap! He talks them up. Your job is to talk them down. I point to all the flaws if he uses term mint! So far, warehouses I been to are severely overpriced. Both warhouses had routes too. They keep games for route seperate section of warehouse. Those games are nice! Stuff warehouses sell are pulled from route that were damaged physically and/or electronically.

Kevin
 
Welcome aboard. Don't make the mistake of over spending just because you want something now. Also don;t buy a cabinet just because it's a good deal. When you buy something ensure it's something you want to keep or the next thing you'll know you'll have a garage/basement full of shit that you'll never finsih. Cabinets aren't rare nor are they hard to find especially when you have people in this group willing to help you such as BigSleepy is in Eugene and has stuff for sale right now.) . Most OPS or vending comapnies will want a small mint for each machine. They don;t care that the machine was bought brand new for $3500 and has made them 3x's or more than what they paid. Just get ready to put on your game face and be ready to smack them down and be equally ready to walk away. If you don;t have a business card then write your contact info on a piece of paper and hand it to the person telling them if they change their minds to call you. Sorry to say this has been my experience the last 5 OPS I've dealt with.
 
Also don;t buy a cabinet just because it's a good deal. When you buy something ensure it's something you want to keep or the next thing you'll know you'll have a garage/basement full of shit that you'll never finsih.

Excellent advice right there. I know from experience :)
 
Agreed. What I did after buying a house with a big gameroom was go through all the games I play in mame and categorize the games I like (play regularly). I made an "A" list, a "B" list, and a "C" list. I was very careful about categorizing the games and I had a rough size limit for each category based on how many games I anticipate having in my gameroom. I think it was around a dozen for each list. By doing so, you can develop a pretty good feel for how badly you want certain games.

For instance, I would do road trips and/or pay more than average for "A" games. "B" games I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for and maybe only pay average. "C" games would be games that I would like to have but would only get if the deal was very good, and certainly wouldn't go out of my way to get.

By doing that I realized that there are some classics that a lot of people desire (Burgertime comes to mind) that I wouldn't mind having but I'd be perfectly content not to have (since there's always mame), so I won't even bother inquiring about games like that which I see go up for sale unless I think there is a good chance it can be had for a bargain.
 
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