Where to look for arcade finds?

coleco1981

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Hi, I'm new to collecting and just starting restoring my first cab. I'd like to find certain classics that I've always liked but am having a problem finding any machines in my area that are a decent price. I've looked on the usual places like ebay, craiglist, and here but I'm interested to hearing about how collectors and restorers make finds on cabs and parts.
I live in western mass..suggestions?
 
You probably not going to find them in the first few days looking. Be patient, check craigslist each day (or set up auto-alerts for your searches on your phone or email), and let your other fellow collectors know what you are looking for and do the same for them.
 
Build a time machine and go back to the early to mid 90's.. Seems like a lot of ops were selling off their business back then :)

Hey, where in Ma are you? Western Ma guy here.. Http://www.neacf.com is a great place to meet other new England collectors!


Hi, I'm new to collecting and just starting restoring my first cab. I'd like to find certain classics that I've always liked but am having a problem finding any machines in my area that are a decent price. I've looked on the usual places like ebay, craiglist, and here but I'm interested to hearing about how collectors and restorers make finds on cabs and parts.
I live in western mass..suggestions?
 
I was gonna say, you are in MA, lots of collectors around and a good local board. You'll find more games now then you will know what to do with.
 
You'd be surprised how many people still don't use the internet, and many of them are the same segment of the population that has games sitting in their old buildings.

Spend a few bucks and post a "wanted to buy" ad in the local Thrifty Nickle type paper and you'll probably get a few bites. Some of my greatest finds came from someone calling me on one of those ads. They're sitting on one or even a warehouse of machines, and hadn't gotten around to posting them for sale until they see your ad.

Craigslist is great, but it's low hanging fruit. If the seller has the resources to post on Craigslist, then they probably are going to ask retail prices for their stuff. If it's cheap, then someone else is already on their way.
 
You'd be surprised how many people still don't use the internet, and many of them are the same segment of the population that has games sitting in their old buildings.

Spend a few bucks and post a "wanted to buy" ad in the local Thrifty Nickle type paper and you'll probably get a few bites. Some of my greatest finds came from someone calling me on one of those ads. They're sitting on one or even a warehouse of machines, and hadn't gotten around to posting them for sale until they see your ad.

Craigslist is great, but it's low hanging fruit. If the seller has the resources to post on Craigslist, then they probably are going to ask retail prices for their stuff. If it's cheap, then someone else is already on their way.

Yeah I've been wondering where a good place to get arcade is, I haven't found anything yet . . . got a great deal here on KLOV, but there are two machines that are on the West Code I would by in an instant, but I just can't afford the shipping!

I'll start keeping my eyes on Craigslist everyday!

-Disjaukifa
 
You probably not going to find them in the first few days looking. Be patient, check craigslist each day (or set up auto-alerts for your searches on your phone or email), and let your other fellow collectors know what you are looking for and do the same for them.

How do you set up auto alerts for your email?
 
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