Noob question what is a fair price?

[eaglesfan007]

Okay i have really been looking forward to building a mame and have called a local arcade they said that they have a cabinet that they could sell me for $100 it is a nfl blitz cab with marquee lighting 2 joysticks 2 start buttons 3 buttons per player a coin door and wiring there is no monitor though. I think that it should be alot cheaper than what they are asking I talked to some people on another forum they said i should offer them $10 and let them work up a little bit from there. What do you think a fair price is and what i should ask for it? Sorry if this is a noob question I tried to find what the price should be for myself but I thought i should ask your opinion.

[SirPeale]

Does it have a board?  If so, that's fair.  Without monitor or other innards, it's not worth much unless it's solid, and only then to someone that can actually use it.  I'd offer $50 to start.

[eaglesfan007]

No it does not have a board So I dont think its worth $50 the most they could use it for is the controls thecoindoor and lighting so  maybe 30-40 dollars tops they did say that the cab is in pretty good shape.

[AlanS17]

It's still a decently popular game so I don't think $100 is unreasonable. It's more than I'd like to pay but not unreasonable. Plus doens't it have full sideart?

Besides, if it's just missing the boards and monitor then it has a full control panel. Those joysticks are expensive (assuming they're using the 49 ways).

[eaglesfan007]

It doesent have the game or boards with it though but yes it has the side art and they said that it was in decent shape I think its a little high for something that they would prolly get rid of though dont you.

[AlanS17]

Just because someone is willing to throw something away doesn't make it worthless. Sure it sucks to think that you're paying for someone else's trash. But those Midway cabinets are really nice and the Blitz sideart is pretty detailed.

If the guy plans on ditching it anyways, I doubt he's going to turn down free money no matter how much it is. Refuse his first offer. If he doesn't come lower then you don't need it. These guys are in it for the money, though. Of course they're going to try to profit.

Keep in mind that a sturdy Midway cab for $100 is still ALOT less than the cost of wood and tools if you don't already have them. And the cab you're getting is first-rate.

[paigeoliver]

$100 isn't out of line for a full size cabinet like that. Provided it IS a 25'/27" size cabinet.

[Wade]

That's a fair price since it has a light ($20 new), coin door (assuming it is in good condition... anywhere from $50-100 new), plus it has some other parts you can use like latches, probably some wiring, marquee holder, etc.

Talking someone down in price is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you are dealing with an amusement company, I would watch my step.

[eaglesfan007]

Well I just called them up and asked them what type of joysticks that it had in it they said that they were eight way I was hoping they were 49 way but oh well I think that $100 is a bit much I have tools and some wood but not enough wood to build one I would like to buy one cause I dont feel like building one really I told them that I think that $100 is too much maybe I spoke too soon I said I would like the owner to call me back I doubt he will but oh well if he doesent Ill try to get one somewhere else.

[pcb]

Well I just called them up and asked them what type of joysticks that it had in it they said that they were eight way I was hoping they were 49 way but oh well

Dude!  $100 for a fully wired JAMMA cabinet is a great price, even minus the monitor.   Just add up a few bits here:

Coin Door ($50 to 100)
2 Joysticks ($20 or so)
Buttons     ($2 each)
Deluxe JAMMA Harness ($35)
Power Supply ($20)
Marquee light ($15)

And we haven't put any value on the cab or artwork yet.  It's basically ready for you to put in your monitor and board, DONE!

I think that $100 is a bit much I have tools and some wood but not enough wood to build one I would like to buy one cause I don't feel like building one really I told them that I think that $100 is too much maybe I spoke too soon I said I would like the owner to call me back...

Your time is worth money, unless you have a passion for building a cab.
By the time you tried to build that cab, you'd have put well over $100 in just parts alone.

Yeah, they won't be calling back.  Why would the owner go out of his way to call you back to get chiseled down in price?   You should have gone there with cash in hand.  Maybe they had something else in worse condition for less, maybe the had something better!  You'll never know now. :-(

[paigeoliver]

Pay the $100. I would pay it without even thinking about it twice if I was in your position.

[Lilwolf]

I think the difference between 50 - 100 bucks on an empty cab should be artwork.

If you like the artwork and makes it so you don't have to paint over or buy / make sideart... thats worth 50 - 100 bucks by itself.

but 100 bucks isn't bad at all.... Don't forget to check for water damage... you can't really fix it... so as long as your ok with it...