Pinball in Miami

[stan2323]

Does anyone live in the Miami Florida area that would be willing to look over a pinball machine that i am thinking about buying?  It is listed on Ebay item number 320702627759.  I figure shipping would be $250 to $300 to where I am in GA.

Stan

[stan2323]

I will like the machine.  It's Star Trek!!!  LOL,  I just would like someone to look it over and check out the boards for signs of burning, wear in all the normal places, touch ups that have been done, any other of possible problems, repaired boards, splices ect.  Once I decide to buy it weather it is my fault whatever the outcome is.  Not the person who looked at it.
 
Stan

[Dazz]

You do know that you aren't supposed to draw attention to an AUCTION that you are interested in.

[stan2323]

You do know that you aren't supposed to draw attention to an AUCTION that you are interested in.

That is good in theory but it is not hidden to begin with.  LOL If someone else buys it then I am out.  I am being very methodical about the search.  I have been searching for about 3 years now.  I will eventually find one.  It is driving my wife crazy that I am so patient.  LOL

Stan

[Xiaou2]

Liking a Theme does not always mean you will like the Game the theme is based on.

  I like StarTrek next/gen  TV show, and the movies were Ok too.. but I really didnt care for the pinball machine... and I 'tried' to like it.   Its more of a stop-n-shot game, and Im more of a fast-flow guy.

 Try playing the thing in digital form on Visual Pinball.  Its never the same as the real deal, but might give you the general feel / idea.   Play a handful of other tables to get an idea of the differences as well.

 As for buying a pin, you can always ask the seller to snap pics on the internals and send them.  They dont mind if your serious about purchase.  If theres a problem that you cant fix when you get it... theres bound to be a repair shop that can.  (or a local collector..etc)

 Have you tried posting a wanted add on craigslist?  Checked out any pinball groups in your area?  Try hitting up the pinball newsgroups too.

[ChadTower]

1 working pin is always more fun than 0 working pins.  At that point the title doesn't even matter.

[Xiaou2]

Hah, yeah, I agree.  But when you are talking a +$2300 investment, I think its a bit fair to be a little cautious.

 I guess STTNG will probably be a pretty easy turn-around though.  I could be mistaken though.

 I do agree though... that Stan needs to get a move-on 

[ChadTower]

Yep.  3 years is enough diligence.  Buy one or not. 

[stan2323]

Liking a Theme does not always mean you will like the Game the theme is based on.

  I like StarTrek next/gen  TV show, and the movies were Ok too.. but I really didnt care for the pinball machine... and I 'tried' to like it.   Its more of a stop-n-shot game, and Im more of a fast-flow guy.

 Try playing the thing in digital form on Visual Pinball.  Its never the same as the real deal, but might give you the general feel / idea.   Play a handful of other tables to get an idea of the differences as well.

 As for buying a pin, you can always ask the seller to snap pics on the internals and send them.  They dont mind if your serious about purchase.  If theres a problem that you cant fix when you get it... theres bound to be a repair shop that can.  (or a local collector..etc)

 Have you tried posting a wanted add on craigslist?  Checked out any pinball groups in your area?  Try hitting up the pinball newsgroups too.

I have played it on VP pinball.  I have played IRL in a bowling alley that had one and I liked it and the theme of my game room is Star Trek so it is a good match.  I have looked in the area but I can only find a couple of folks in the Savannah area and they are as busy as me. 

Meh, I could sniff a lookie-loo from his first post.   Georgia to Florida and he's gonna ship it?  Give me a break - hit the road already.

I have been a lookie loo for a while.  Each time I find a possibility.   Road trip!  Not yet it is 465 miles or 6 to 7 hours there and back.  I do not have a vehicle to carry it in that means renting one plus gas plus food while traveling plus time.   I would say that by the time I rented a SUV or van or even a station wagon for 2 days, $80 – $100, put gas in it $144, stopped for food drinks ect $45 it would cost about the same as if I ship it. 

Yep.  3 years is enough diligence.  Buy one or not. 

Yes I almost agree with this.  But each day I get closer to finding the one I want.

Stan

[ChadTower]

For this hobby, you need to buy a truck.  I tired of that renting/bribing routine over 10 years ago.   

Or at least have a really good friend/relative with a truck that you can take at a moment's notice.  A hitch and a trailer might get you by too.  This hobby was a lot harder before I got a truck.  Any deal at all was a big effort of coordination.

[Xiaou2]

I drove for my first pin, but only cause I got a no-miles rental special.  They probably dont do that anymore merely because of me!  heh

 The trip was Way too far (nearly 13hrs each way), brutal, and stupid.  Almost hit a deer on the way there too.

 The next pin was on ebay, mostly cause it had to go on the credit card.  It was shipped pilot air, and only cost like $200.  They also delivered an old EM gun game for the same cost.

Highly recommend them.

 Ive heard way too much bad experiences with other methods, such as those van line carriers.  They almost Always manage to Mangle the machines.

 The other pin I got was local.  Paid a friend to transport & help move it.  Ive since gotten a minivan.  Its awesome.. but, its a lot more expensive in fuel cost though  >.<   Probably cheaper just to pay ppl to help you out once in a while.