What should I pay for a Monopoly?

JohnB

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There is a 9/10 condition monopoly machine available within driving distance of my home. It has all kinds of LED mods to it - some would say make it pop, others would say you ruined the pin. Buyer is asking $3,100, I am thinking Monopoly is not a $3,000 tiered pin. Am I right in thinking its more like a $2,100 tiered pin? According to http://www.bostonpinball.biz/ebay1111.htm I'm right in the ball park. Should I make an offer around there or would I be offending the seller? This is my first Pin. What does klov think....

Thanks.

EDIT:
After much discussion in this thread I have changed this into a WTB the following of any pins:

The Shadow, The Getaway, No Fear, Tales from Crypt, Jurassic Park, Demolition Man, T2, Stargate, Swords of Fury, Pinbot, High Speed, Police Force.

Thank you!
John
 
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Now this is just my opinion and not fact. Monopoly is on my long term want list. What I would pay for one is about $2100 or so. depending on condition, location etc.

Not in a position to buy one just yet though.
 
Before I clicked on the thread I was thinking $2100. I see we are thinking alike. It's kinda cool but you really have to like the Monopoly theme. A friend of mine used to own one and I *never* saw anyone play it. Ever.
 
I always look at the boston prices for a ballpark idea, and adjust for condition, depending on what that's worth to you.
 
Now this is just my opinion and not fact. Monopoly is on my long term want list. What I would pay for one is about $2100 or so. depending on condition, location etc.

Not in a position to buy one just yet though.

Condition is excellent to the eye (uploaded a couple of youtube videos, theyre pretty sweet) and location is about a 2 hour one-way trip 4 hours round trip roughly... Sooooo my $2,100 is on par? I'd rather get an Addams or a WWF (im a wrestling nerd) but my fiance and mother and sister and all the ladies in the family love monopoly so I figured it would be the right themed pin to get into.
 
Yeah - 2000 or less, even! Some people think LEDs add $1000 in value to a game. Tell him you'll pay $2000 without the LEDs ;)
 
There is a 9/10 condition monopoly machine available within driving distance of my home. It has all kinds of LED mods to it - some would say make it pop, others would say you ruined the pin. Buyer is asking $3,100, I am thinking Monopoly is not a $3,000 tiered pin. Am I right in thinking its more like a $2,100 tiered pin? According to http://www.bostonpinball.biz/ebay1111.htm I'm right in the ball park. Should I make an offer around there or would I be offending the seller? This is my first Pin. What does klov think....

Thanks.

Monopoly is a $2,000 pin at best. I turned one down for $1,800 in great shape. There is not much to it unfortunately. You would get bored of it quickly in a small collection.
 
arent those led packages expensive though? perhaps its a valid point?

Yes...if you just buy an LED kit that contains LEDs that are 5x brighter than they should be and cost 3x more than LEDs that actually look good in a pin...which is basically all LED kits on the market right now. LEDs look great when done right and buying a kit with superbrites in it is *not* done right.
 
Yes...if you just buy an LED kit that contains LEDs that are 5x brighter than they should be and cost 3x more than LEDs that actually look good in a pin...which is basically all LED kits on the market right now. LEDs look great when done right and buying a kit with superbrites in it is *not* done right.

Is it really that bad brother? I was havin fun playing it in Coney Island but I remember getting gutter balled and middle ramp of death a lot - that was frustrating, but was hoping there was a mod for that heh... judge for yourselves here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmG9...DvjVQa1PpcFNg1FD0HWUuD3VCGwOwsUfMyxrnkZRPj48=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMi...DvjVQa1PpcFNg1FD0HWUuD8RR5ofIaH_ZpLphqjtkRY8=
 
I had it for a couple of years and wouldn't mind at all having it again sometime down the road.
 
Is it really that bad brother? I was havin fun playing it in Coney Island but I remember getting gutter balled and middle ramp of death a lot - that was frustrating, but was hoping there was a mod for that heh... judge for yourselves here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmG9...DvjVQa1PpcFNg1FD0HWUuD3VCGwOwsUfMyxrnkZRPj48=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMi...DvjVQa1PpcFNg1FD0HWUuD8RR5ofIaH_ZpLphqjtkRY8=

It is not a horrible game, it is just kind of shallow and it seems incomplete like there was stuff they were going to do and didn't for whatever reason. You could definitely buy a worse game. Problem with Monopoly is that if you overpay for it and then get tired of it quickly, it will be a bitch to sell and you will lose a lot of money on the deal. Regardless of quality, $3,000 is out of this world expensive on that title no matter where you buy it from.
 
What are some titles in the $1,000 tier I could consider with good replay value?

That is a tough question. Like, If you were to say " wHat Gottlieb System 1 game in $1000 price range would have good replay value?" ( that price range pretty much covers the lot.) I would say Joker Poker.

If there is a era that you are thinking, that would be better. for instance, you say " I want one with a DMD display. " that narrows it down a bunch
 
That is a tough question.

It's a tough question because everyone has been drinking the Kool Aid and thinks any moderately enjoyable game in shitty condition is worth 3K+. :p

Monopoly is entertaining, but it definitely is not the best Lawlor game of the bunch. Not even the best Stern/Lawlor game. It's intriguing as a route game or something I only get to play every once in a while, but I have my doubts I'd play it day in/day out in my house.

I really recommend you find one and play it first. Preferably without the the "eager buyer" rose colored glasses on. If possible, go find as many games on route/someone's house to play as possible before committing to buying anything. Theme is important (and I think Monopoly's theme was handled in a clever way here), but it's all bad when just the theme is keeping you interested in the game.
 
What are some titles in the $1,000 tier I could consider with good replay value?

What constitutes replay value for you? Rule/mode depth... or addictive fun shooter with "hit start again" addictiveness?

The Data East/Sega games tend to have tons of modes and are low priced ...Tommy, Apollo 13, Goldeneye, Batman Forever, Frankenstein, Tales from the Crypt, Baywatch, etc. These games generally are in the 1k-ish range.

The Williams 1k-ish games tend not to be as deep, but - I find them really fun to shoot and addictive...they have goals that aren't impossible to reach, but challenging - and satisfying when accomplished - games like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Fish Tales, The Getaway (HSII), Johnny Mnemonic, The Shadow, Black Knight 2000 (non DMD), Bride of Pinbot,, Congo, No Fear, Demolition Man, World Cup Soccer, Rollergames (non DMD), Judge Dredd...

...although actually Shadow and Dredd are pretty deep. I'm not a fan of Dredd ,but lots of people like it and it's definitely a "bang for the buck" game...it's usually in the low 1k range. It's a widebody, has tons of ramps and flippers and modes and whatnot. Shadow is fast and furious like Getaway, but also with great modes, multiballs, awesome toys (Battlefield & wall/magnet), cool ramps with controllable diverters, and a great wizard mode.
 
Very very useful honest feedback, thank you everyone.

I grew up in the late 80s - late 90s arcade scene so a pin from that era would appeal to me. Wide body and busy with a lot of unique real estate for the ball to travel is defenitely what I would prefer over the old school bank n bonk the side wall target games. Something with quick gameplay (twitch reflexsive) Something with multi ball and 2-3 modes to keep me busy if I master the game. And finally I am not married to a particular designer name or manufacturer brand. Sound amd music also should be enjoyable. Youre right, the theme should apply but not carry the pin. With that said can someone list me from experience what titles would fit that criteria so I can choose the right one and go on the hunt?

Thanks klov family!
 
Shadow is fast and furious like Getaway, but also with great modes, multiballs, awesome toys (Battlefield & wall/magnet), cool ramps with controllable diverters, and a great wizard mode.

Off topic, but +1 that shit! Shadow reminds me of why I enjoy High Speed/Firepower, but in an updated machine (well, more updated than HS/FP). The physical gameplay design/layout is challenging as hell, but fair and addictive. It doesn't require deep rules because the layout/shots are really challenging/well thought out. I find most people who don't like this game either enjoy games that are more rules challenging, not physically challenging OR the machine is tweaked in a way to be overly brutal and insanely difficult to gain ball control.

Sorry...ranted.
 
Considering all angles, I would rather use the money on many older pins than a new monopoly. Perhaps you could wait a bit and findanother late model pin with a beter overall fun factor.
 
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