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Advice on Restoration Bulk Buy

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ChadTower:

There's a lot more to add.  Is  the original artwork under that paint or was it removed?  How about any of the other parts?  How much of the original cab is there aside from the wood?  Are the monitors working WELL or just working?  These are all things that will have varying effects on the profitability of these cabs.

menace:

Should PM oscar or Zakk and get a rough time estimate to restore a game given the condition.  they have done alot of work between them and could estimate it fairly well.

That said, you'll likely make your money back eventually with a small profit i would think, but it will take alot of time and cash up front to do it right--and by the time you figure in the time you've spent you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

If i was in your shoes I would buy say 3 or 4 now and ask your buddies to go in on it with you--this would help defer the shipping costs and eliminates the storage costs and you'll still have 3 or 4 machines to work on, with a nicer profit margin.  I know people that would be more than willing to get a machine for $100 thats for sure. (including me if its at least complete...)

pathdoc2:

I would think renting a storage unit would ruin your thin profit margin.  I'd buy the best of the crop without needing to rent a space.

RayB:

Unfortunately I don't know the precise condition of them other than through photographs. The seller can do cap kits and fix up everything but for $75 extra each. I don't know about the art either. I do now they have that tell-tale crappy black paint, much like that guy's Moon Patrol (shown in another thread on this board).

He's located quite a few hours away, so the problem is I gotta negotiate a deal by phone and won't really be in a position to inspect the merchandise until I'm there to close the deal.

Oh well, I'm still thinking about it!



Lilwolf:

Do the monitors work?  Power?  (ie, they are working jamma cabs?).  19" monitors I'm assuming.

I would guess that they aren't going to be a deal.

Do it for the love of it... or dont do it.

You will not be able to push 7 robotron cabs out the door after refinishing them.  

So look at the artwork repositories here and find out how much it would cost to get robotron sideart printed up and that they are available.  But they are mostly paint and a small sideart so it shouldn't be all that bad.  $50ish?

hows the control panel?  did they drill more buttons in?  Does it have the overlays?  This might cost as much as the side art.

How about the marquees?  Assuming none... Again 25-50ish.

Bezels... I don't have any idea how hard it would be to reproduce them.  Printing on stickers over glass should do it right?? anyone?

Next... Real boards?  Can you even get them?  Sure you can get a pc and add just robotron but that will reduce their resale value considerably.

Anyway... take the robotrons and get a list all it will take to redo them for the one game.  Guess your time.

Then ask Paige to see what they are selling for at the auctions.  He usually has a great eye on the value of all cabs.  

I'm guessing that you will not make a profit.

but...

you might be able to make a profit by doing a sudo crap job.  Not going for original quality... but looking for mamers who want a robotron look.  You might get a away with cheaper sideart, and cheaper control panel layouts and marquees.  And throw a cheap computer and a trident64 with the drivers or maybe go dos + advancedmame.

I'm guessing this will be your best bet at a profit... smaller, but less investment.


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