Arcade hunting - memory thread

[leapinlew]

The rules are simple! Share your story (wacky and strange stories preferred) of what you had to do to get an arcade game.

[leapinlew]

All said and done, I've probably converted or built 3 dozen arcade games. In 2007, I posted a "I'll haul away your old arcade game for free" Craigslist style posts in Northern Virginia. I had 2 takers! One for a gutted Burgertime (which I'm ashamed to say I ruined while working on it) and someone else had a Top Gun that quit working.

I converted it to a Donkey Kong. Cool thing in 2007, you could still buy a new Arcade monitor. I used a Wells and put in a PC. I never had any luck getting free games since.







Sold it for $850 in 2007

[leapinlew]

In 2008, I negotiated for a Robotron Cocktail with a deaf guy. It was awkward trying to "write" him down on his price. I attached the before and after. It sold for $850.

[pbj]

I went on a “warehouse raid” once, the guys neighbor got mad we parked in front of his place and started yelling at us.  Warehouse guy got an extension cord and started beating his neighbor with it.  Someone called the police and I hauled ass out of there.

Once I was 20 minutes late to pick up a game.  Guy starts calling me all freaked out.  While I’m there, his drug dealer rolls up and wants his money.  I let them settle that up while I loaded the machine into my truck.

One time I delivered a game to a guy that wasn’t home.  He left his key under the mat and told me to go through his house and open the garage.  I still wonder if he was in his closet jerking off and I can’t believe I ever agreed to such a thing.

Plenty of out spoken people I disagreed with on religion and politics but whatever.

 

[Mr. Peabody]

I went on a “warehouse raid” once, the guys neighbor got mad we parked in front of his place and started yelling at us.  Warehouse guy got an extension cord and started beating his neighbor with it.  Someone called the police and I hauled ass out of there.

Once I was 20 minutes late to pick up a game.  Guy starts calling me all freaked out.  While I’m there, his drug dealer rolls up and wants his money.  I let them settle that up while I loaded the machine into my truck.

One time I delivered a game to a guy that wasn’t home.  He left his key under the mat and told me to go through his house and open the garage.  I still wonder if he was in his closet jerking off and I can’t believe I ever agreed to such a thing.

Plenty of out spoken people I disagreed with on religion and politics but whatever.

 

Experience goes with character.....

You didn't get video of the altercation?? I'm nonplussed, Mr. 'pics or it didn't happen' (though I know it did, because your curiosity gets the best of you)

When people talk about religion, I listen....for a little while. Then I disentangle and bail. Their spiritual conundrums are theirs.

Socially and politically, I head people off at the pass with this: