Things to look for at an arcade auction?

[RoboG2]

Thinking about going to one.  What should I look for?  Specific cabinets?  Advice?  Thanks

[Tokey]

I may drive to the one tomorrow in Wisconsin.  Just bring an extension cord to see if the games work, and look for the cab in the best condition if you're using it for mame.

[RoboG2]

For MAME I'm just building a new one.  Looking for other stuff though like ske-ball, pinball, cocktail cabs, pool tables, etc.

[Shape D.]

  Water Damage.

[RayB]

Well... look for what YOU like.

[Raven..]

Other BYOAC members.

[GGKoul]

Make sure you test the game you want to purchase.  Watch for burnt screens. 

[coachcarstens]

I am planning on attending the auction tomorrow also.  I have gone to the last 2 in WI, and I always wonder if people there float around this board.  I often see people taking notes on every auction, etc.  I guess it would be kind nice to meet some people who float around this board.  Anyone interested in doing such a thing?  I'll be there the entire time, (not that I really know what I'm doing) but hey, if interested let me know.

Chris

As for what to look for, i guess it would depend on what your sue for the cab is.  If you would like coin mechs, etc.  Check to see that they all work, not just player one, bring a quarter and test it.  Some are set up differently though...  Monitors can be nice also.  Sometimes non-working ones labeled as empty are not always empty, sometimes you can find some neat stuff inside. Hope that helps.

[krick]

Miscellaneous thoughts in no particular order...

#1 rule.... Beware of water damage.

Take the following items:
- A long heavy duty extension cord
- Tape measure
- paper
- pencil
- a vehicle to get your purchases home
- money

If you buy a cabinet with intentions of puting in a larger arcade monitor, you should pay attention to the inside width of the cabinet.

A 25 inch arcade monitor with frame is about 23.0 inches wide.
A 27 inch arcade monitor with frame is about 24.5 inches wide.
A 33 inch arcade monitor with frame is about 28.5 inches wide.

Whatever size you plan to use, make sure that the cabinet is about an inch or so (at least) bigger on each side.

Make sure that whatever you buy, you can get through the doors in your house.

[Wyluli]

Krick...that is a nice cab.  I like the coin door on it.
I was wondering if anyone from the board goes to the auction in Orlando.  I guess there is one there every year.  Next one is in February.  I've never been to it.  If anyone has been, what did you tink of it? 

[RacerX]

Watch out for someone like Do-Rag who bids on his own games.

[MilitiaMan]

Wyluli,

I go to all of the Orlando auctions ... and there used to be one in Tampa. I guess after tomorrow I will know what you look like and I will say Hi if I ever see you at the auction.

Good Luck to those of you attending the auction in WI tomorrow. I hope you find something super rare and it goes for super cheap. 

MM

[Wyluli]

Wyluli,

I go to all of the Orlando auctions ... and there used to be one in Tampa. I guess after tomorrow I will know what you look like and I will say Hi if I ever see you at the auction.

There used to be one right here in Tampa!  Man, wish there still was!  I considered going to the Orlando sometime this year.  Do they generally have lots of stuff?

[RoboG2]

At araced auctions, do people really let you play the games and open them up to check for damage?  I thought they would have of a 'do not touch' policy.

[RacerX]

You can play them and inspect them before the auction begins.

[paigeoliver]

As far as the mythical "Doo Rag". Who isn't really mythical, since I have had a face to face conversation with the man about monitor repair.

The auction company itself owns a decent portion of the games and it simply doesn't sell them below certain prices. Usually this manifests itself as a single buyer who buys and sells a ton of machines. Complicating issues even more is that the same buyer might also truly have some games they personally own in the auction and will likely be buying for the auction company themselves. The buyer is often the famous Mr. Do! himself, but will sometimes be a young muscular Italian looking guy in his mid 20s, or any other superauction employee.

Basically, the auction house itself owns some of the games, and they go from one auction to the next, only selling if someone REALLY wants to put out some bucks. There are no deals on those games, they are mostly just there to inflate the number of available games.

Essentially there isn't jack you can do about it. Also, MOST sellers bid their own games to some extent, it is allowed and it is part of the sale process. I always bid my own machines up to at least a minimum cost. Like my last Mame cabinet I bid up to $500. The bidding kept going after I dropped out and it went to $800.

[ponyboy]

Many people tend to stay away from the old Taito games because they believe there are no parts for them.  Most of Taito's pieces were excellent street pieces.  They were made for the street operator.  Such as Double Dragon, Operation Wolf, Under Fire, CHase H.Q., Super Chase just to name a few.  Well don't be afraid.  I have been supplying Taito parts for games manufactured between 1987 - 1996 for just about 8 years now.  Since Taito went out of business in 1996.  If anyone needs Taito parts drop me a line.

Ponyboy

[paigeoliver]

DO you have Operation Wolf optic boards?

[RacerX]

Essentially there isn't jack you can do about it. Also, MOST sellers bid their own games to some extent, it is allowed and it is part of the sale process. I always bid my own machines up to at least a minimum cost. Like my last Mame cabinet I bid up to $500. The bidding kept going after I dropped out and it went to $800.

Oh, there's something I can do about it all right.  I can *not* bid on those games.