Battlezone price check

[Flake]

A Battlezone showed up CL today in my area.  Guys says it needs shopped.  It powers on but no video or sound.  He's taking cash offers.  Picture of it looks dusty but overall in decent shape.

So what's a good starting offer?

[Nephasth]

$100

[BobA]

No video no sound how does he know it works.    $75

[HaRuMaN]

I bought one in nice shape that plays blind (spot killer on) for $25.

[tommyinajar]

A Battlezone showed up CL today in my area.  Guys says it needs shopped.  It powers on but no video or sound.  He's taking cash offers.  Picture of it looks dusty but overall in decent shape.

So what's a good starting offer?

What exactly happens only a fan or light comes on? That could be anything, ps, pcb or monitor. Bring at truck and $50, I wouldn't go over a $100 for a old machine. (Even a classic)  You could be buying only 30+ year old wood.

[Flake]

I offered $75 in an email this morning.  No response as of yet. 

Not sure what the specifics are, he's been vague only to say it powers on with no video or sound.  Probably a red flag there, but for $75 I'm willling to roll the dice on this game.

My real problems will begin if I end up purchasing.  I have never worked on a real arcade machine before, my experience is limited to MAME.  I'll probably have to hire someone to look at it, which is another reason I dont want to overspend.

Thanks everyone for the input.

[HaRuMaN]

Do realize that it's a vector monitor, which cranks up the difficulty somewhat.

[Flake]

Oh I'm aware...believe me my difficulties wont be constrained to the monitor type alone.  I do know a guy in my area that if he doesnt know how to fix he'll know the right person to get me in contact with.

[Flake]

OK...so I got a "no thank you" response.   He's very vague on the specific issues and he clearly thinks I'm trying to low ball him.  But come on already, I have no idea what's wrong with it and he wont offer up a desired sales price.  Seems he thinks he's sitting on a gold mine or something.

I sent one more message to press him on further details, but not looking hopeful.  Damn....it would have been a nice addition.

[Le Chuck]

Send him a link to this thread. 

If the monitor is total toast you are in for a long potentially pricey haul on a restore.  I'd do the pinballjim technique - short note letting him know that if he is still sitting on it after X days or a month you can be there with $75 to make it go away.

[tommyinajar]

He might think it's worth a fortune. He probably looked on Ebay and saw one trying to be sold for $2000 working, and thinks it's a loose wire on his.

If you want show him the ended listings- They are going around $150 in broken shape. Untested PCB are going for about the same price too.

 http://www.ebay.com/csc/Arcade-Jukeboxes-Pinball-/66502/i.html?LH_Complete=1&_trkparms=65%253A13%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&rt=nc&_nkw=battlezone&_catref=1&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=16&_sc=1.

[Flake]

He must of seen that already because he quoted an ebay price of $150 for pcbs.....I think its probably a lost cause.  But I did take  Le Chuck's advise and told him he's got my number if he cant move it.  As of now he wants $300 for it.  But if I have to replace the board or the monitor or both I could be looking at another $500 in parts alone.  $800 for a working battlezone....worth it?  Prob not.

[Nephasth]

A working one in decent shape should be about $350-$450.

http://www.arcade-classics.com/price_guide.html

^^Pretty realistic price guide.

[tommyinajar]

If you want one post an ad on CL "*WANTED* Arcade Games / Coinop / Battlezone Working or Not" List it a few different times in different sections. You won't believe who has these thing laying around collecting dust. They are usually happy to have it removed.

 Depending on where you are you might be surprised (I know my sister and 3 of my friends were, now that there is 12 cabs in their respective garages.  ) Most I paid was $100 for a beautiful Marvel VS Capcom that needed a power supply.