Networking is key.
Don't be afraid to mention the hobby when you meet new people. Some people might think it strange (f--- them), but a bunch will find it cool. Better yet, some will know of machines that have been in basements, garages, storerooms, etc. of friends and family and will gladly offer that information up. Found my Funhouse, Swords of Fury, and just last week my Tapper (the one I used to play on location!!) that way. Also got in to a few operator stashes like that as well. Never hurts to mention it to people.
Get to know the collectors in your area. The cool ones will give you a heads up if they see a machine they know you are looking for. The ones that become your friends will put up the money to get that machine for you and bring it to their house.
On the subject of operator hordes/stashes/warehouses, they're still out there. At least around here. Obviously not as many as there were 5/10/15/20 years ago, but some second and third generation ops are still sitting on a bunch of stock. It's out there.
"Networking is key"
Yeah,, right lol..
I dont have ANY Friends locally in this hobby..
Im the only one that i know of that shared source with other arcade machine collectors in
this area as to where a machine is avail.. Everybody else keeps to themselves.
I remember telling a dude about a dragons lair that was avail near me , he ended up buying
it and restoring it in a youtube video.. You would think that same dude would have shared a source or two in return or at least a thank you.. nope.
Instead he continues to make videos "in the basement"
Again , this is area specific.
Well, i know one dude near me who is decent.. he kinda looks out for me and i do the same for him.
connecticut sucks right now for an arcade collector, if you want the deals you gotta be willing to drive at least 2 to 4 hours one way to get a decent deal.
You are gonna need ...
Money.. (i always stash 15 hundy just in case) My limit on a machine depends on title.
a beater truck or van..
time ..
Advil and coffee..
Storage...... Not every machine you get is ready to put in a row of games in your arcade.
I have more games in storage waiting to be restored/repaired than i have in my arcade.
NEVER lower the price of the machine you are intrested in until you have actually seen
the machine in person... This will scare off a seller and he will move onto the next buyer
who contacted him.
And like Tufnel stated.. dont be a cheap bastard.. this is not a cheap hobby .
Unless you are some bridge burning bastard who uses people or a youtube channel
to get games cheaper or free you are not gonna make it very far.