pinball machine

[misfits]

I was going to look localy for a used pinball machine, I was wondering what an "average" price would be for an older one? Im just looking for a general price so I don't end up paying too much, I know the price will greatly depend on the condition and the particular machine itself.

Thanks!

 

-mike

[Dr Galaga]

Tough question to answer. If you are talking just an "average" machine and not one that is very popular (like KISS), you should be able to find mid60's through the mid80's that are in decent shape in the $300 range. If you don't mind spend a few bucks -well, more like $18 - you can buy the Mr. Pinball Price Guide http://www.gameroommagazine.com/bk_mrpinball2005.htm to use as a reference.

[vintagegamer89]

My Uncle picked up a broken pinball machine for $20 from an elderly lady at a swap meet. He took it home and found out it needed a new plug. So there is hope. My dream of finding an arcade game for less than $50 is really low though

[Fellow Atari Man]

Just make sure you know what you're getting into, since one, pinball machines can require a bit of maintenance for their upkeep (depends on how much you play it though, I suppose), and two, do research on any games you're interested in buying, since there have been a few games over the years that have specialized parts, so if something breaks on a machine that has an especially made part, if you can't find it's replacement (which you probably won't, especially if it's an old game), then you're probably sol. (Hopefully you know this stuff already though.)

[DanBoris]

My Uncle picked up a broken pinball machine for $20 from an elderly lady at a swap meet. He took it home and found out it needed a new plug. So there is hope. My dream of finding an arcade game for less than $50 is really low though

 

Check out an amusement auctions sometime. I went to an auction by this company, http://www.superauctions.com/, last week in my area and things where going for ridiculously low prices. I saw working arcade games go for $30.00, and non-working machines go for a $1.00! Last year I picked up 3 non-working cocktail table machines for a total of $25.00. Got two of them working with little trouble.

 

As one of the other posters said, be careful what you are getting into with Pinball machines, there are a lot of things that can go wrong with them. I just finished restoring a 1974 Williams electro-mechanical pinball (and am now starting on another). It's very rewarding, but it's a LOT of work.

 

Dan