Just a shame...

[RickDIII]

I'm a newbie trying to build my first mame machine.

[Scott84]

Well, they might be against mame arcades and could think thats what your trying to do.

[RickDIII]

Well, they might be against mame arcades and could think thats what your trying to do.

Maybe, but he was playing dumb if so.  The place mostly sells to big time places that deal in high end.  I just figure he saw me as someone taking up his time with silly requests.

[menace]

I've also seen the opposite--where it was junk and they likely would have burned but now that there is a "demand" you all of a sudden have to pay 100 bux for a piece of junk.  Keep looking-- it takes awhile then you'll have like 10 at once.  its all about getting your supply chain going. 

[ahofle]

Or just hang around next to his dumpster. 

[BUCKETHEAD]

Go and ride by there once a day.

And check out his dumpsters.

If he throw's them away out behind his shop that is?

Just go get what you want after hours.

[BUCKETHEAD]

Keep looking-- it takes awhile then you'll have like 10 at once.

This is so true!

[MameJunkie]

Keep looking-- it takes awhile then you'll have like 10 at once.

This is so true!

[RayB]

From the reading I've done it seems that some folks would be upset, but maybe this is just how it goes?

They are a business. They don't care.

Those who get upset over trashing classics, aren't in it for money.

[Mark70]

That's how a lot of these companies operate.  They make money by putting working (even if barely) machines in a venue and sucking back quarters.  If a machine is not reliable enough to run it's a burdon. 

They're not going to take time to call you when they have junk, but if you show up at the right time, you're likely to get whatever they've got.  It's on you though to make the effort.

I scored a free Happ over under coin door this way.  Just Show up a couple of times and ask if they're trashing anything.  Often if it's already junk to them, they'll say take whatever you want from out back.

[tbombaci]

IMHO. the key is to not act like a kid in a candy store. Just to preface, I am not saying you are/were acting like a kid.

I started off in November of 2003 - total n00b. I did an arse load of research on the 'Net before I made a purchase. This was before I found out about auctions.

I actually ended up called Betson (big time distributor) and asked if thay had any 19" JAMMA cabinets to get rid of (25" cabinets still fetch coin and can be sold to operators to use on a route). I spoke calmly and with authority. I told them that a monitor is not a requirement and it was better if it didn't have one anyway. They ended up selling me an empty Data East cabinet with coindoor and light fixture for $100. As I look back, it was a total hose for me - but that is beside the point. I feel, because I acted calmly and did not pester the crap out of the operator, this was the reason that the guy was very friendly to me and was giving me tons of freebees (buttons, joysticks). He even asked if I knew the JAMMA wiring standard. He even made me a photocopy of the wiring diagram before I left.

I did not innundate them with stupid questions. There have been 100's of people before you asking stupid questions - no need to continue the trend. The operator simply just doesn't want to have to deal with a n00b and all of his/her questions. That is what these forums are for. The operator just wants to pay his bills.

Hope this helps.

There is a FAQ floating around about how to deal with operators when wanting to buy something from them.

-Tom

[RickDIII]

tbombaci,

I know you weren't trying to cut on me.

[TurboC--]

Seems like the pinball people are the real jerks.  Maybe a coincidence, I don't know.  That's how it was here.  Anyway, look in the phone book under Amusement Devices, and some other places also.  My experience was a list of like 30 possible locations in my city - half didn't bother with me, 1/4 were jerks and the other 1/4 were awesome and friendly.  Or ranges in between.  I guess you can hang around dumpsters all day but it's worth trying some other dealers...

[RickDIII]

Seems like the pinball people are the real jerks.

[BUCKETHEAD]

Mine sharing your endless supply with the rest of us?

I have a friend in the business.

Sometimes i have to pay little or none at all for cabinets.

Just really depends on what it is?

And what all it has in it?

Example:

[jcoleman]

Example:  He sold me a NFL BLITZ (Big 4 player kind)

With everything in it,  Except the Monitor and PCB

for $40.00

Now you are just rubbing it in...

[Havok]

Example:

[RickDIII]

Example:

[traknfieldSUPAstar]

Example: