How much should I pay for this?

[RacerX]

I am the high bidder in a local auction for a Tron upright (the full-size, not the mini).  It is covered in dirt, the side art is crap, and I'm sure it doesn't work, but it is complete (all controls and the PCB, monitor, etc. are there.

My current bid is sitting at $45 with a $50 maximum.  I feel like I shouldn't go much higher than this, but it *is* a Tron after all.  How high would you go on this?  Money isn't a problem, I just don't want to overpay.

[AmericanDemon]

I personally would max out at a higher point.  You could easily restore it and make more from a trade or by selling it.  Hell the Tron joystick could fetch higher than that on Ebay!  

[mp2526]

Hell if it's in Texas, I'd pay at the very least $100 for it.

[Ken Layton]

Looks like it is in average condition. I would suggest going up to $100 on it.

[Apollo]

Um hello folks, even the CP by itself is worth $100 or more to the right person. And the PCB could well fetch a similar amount just depends if you get enough people who want it. Remember in 20 years these things will be almost non-existant. Buy, buy buy. I'd go up to $250 personally. New side art and CP overlay are readily available. Go for it dude!

[Magnet_Eye]

i'd say go for $100 max..unless you think there really is some competition, maybe $150.

good luck on it!

restore it and send it to me!

thanks!  

[fredster]

If it shows water damage on the back or under it, don't buy it.  If not, I'd say $150 tops.

If you clean it up, you may be surprised.  Those old machines can take a pretty good beating.

[SirPeale]

New side art and CP overlay are readily available. Go for it dude!

Since when?  Disney put the kibosh on that a while back.

[RacerX]

Hell if it's in Texas, I'd pay at the very least $100 for it.

Then I'm sure you'll understand if I don't tell you where it is.  

I'm hoping I'll get lucky, and it will work or just have something minor wrong with it.

[mp2526]

Hell if it's in Texas, I'd pay at the very least $100 for it.

Then I'm sure you'll understand if I don't tell you where it is.  

I'm hoping I'll get lucky, and it will work or just have something minor wrong with it.

Yeah, I didn't figure you'd let me in on that little secret

On that note, I'm always looking for a deal and if you should happen to run into anything in the Central Texas (hell, I'll even drive to Houston or Dallas if the deal is good enough) area that you aren't interested in, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Oh, and Hook Em!!!  

[RacerX]

Hell if it's in Texas, I'd pay at the very least $100 for it.

Then I'm sure you'll understand if I don't tell you where it is.  

I'm hoping I'll get lucky, and it will work or just have something minor wrong with it.

Yeah, I didn't figure you'd let me in on that little secret

On that note, I'm always looking for a deal and if you should happen to run into anything in the Central Texas (hell, I'll even drive to Houston or Dallas if the deal is good enough) area that you aren't interested in, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Oh, and Hook Em!!!  

I will keep my eyes peeled in spite of that last line.  

Gig'em!!!

[Apollo]

New side art and CP overlay are readily available. Go for it dude!

Since when?  Disney put the kibosh on that a while back.

Yes you are right, I'm getting my games mixed up. Sorry.

[The Man]

New side art and CP overlay are readily available. Go for it dude!

Since when?  Disney put the kibosh on that a while back.

A simple search on yahoo and I found several place that have these.

[SirPeale]

It must be non-official art, then.

[paigeoliver]

I bid $100 on a slightly nicer local dead one (might not have had a monitor).

Also, a buddy of mine bought a MINT dead one at superauctions for $250. It was easily the nicest Tron I had ever seen.

[AGGIEZ]

I'd definitely go higher than $50 if it's complete. By the way, LOVE the sig RacerX...

[RacerX]

I'd definitely go higher than $50 if it's complete. By the way, LOVE the sig RacerX...

Thanks, AGGIEZ!  

I did go ahead and up my maximum bid.  Thanks for the input, guys.  I'll be sure to let you know how it all turns out, and I'll set up a page on my web site with more pics if I get it.

[RacerX]

Well, I won this baby for $45.  I'm one happy geek!  

[CIA_Guy]

So NOW tell us where the auction was!

[RacerX]

So NOW tell us where the auction was!

What if there are more of these little gems in the future?  I can't give up my source!

[RacerX]

Okay, here's the deal.  A local bowling alley here in College Station, TX had a bunch of stuff up for auction.  Apparently they had either closed another alley in another town or they just accumulated this stuff over the years.  They had everything from old drink coolers to ice cream dispensers to my Tron.

I have found that things like this are a decent source as long as you aren't in a hurry to find a cab.  I've seen two cabs in the last couple of years that were just being thrown out.  Keep your eyes peeled for businesses closing down or new businesses going into existing store fronts.  Sometimes those old store fronts will have "junk" left behind in them, and when the new business goes in, they throw it out or sell it cheap.

Just three weeks ago an old Montgomery Ward here was being demolished, and they were throwing out a two player side by side driving cab complete with steering wheels, shifters, and pedals.  It sat out there for several days before somebody picked it up.  I had no interest in it, or I would have picked it up myself.  Heck, if I would have had time, I would have just parted it out on the spot and sold the controls.

The key to finding stuff like this is to let all of your friends and acquaintences know you are looking for old arcade machines.  That way when someone runs across one, they'll think of you.

[Lilwolf]

congrates!  you could turn around and sell JUST the control panel for about 80 on ebay.

good find