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Do you guys think there is a good market for selling mame cabinets?
DrewKaree:
--- Quote from: TOK on May 18, 2006, 09:13:49 pm ---I have quite a few people ask me to either build or help build. Unfortunately, they're all the type of people that don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. ::)
Anyone with the means to purchase also seems to be the type that enjoys building themselves.
--- End quote ---
I think what TOK is telling you is to see what the available window-owning market looks like out there ;)
As far as building cabs, simply building the shells are the only route you can take that won't involve heartache, headache, and several other types of aches. You certainly CAN build them if you wish, and do it for a side job, but restoring or modifying an existing shell would be the cheaper/easier way to do it, and less costly (although that's certainly not a given)
leapinlew:
--- Quote from: DrewKaree on May 18, 2006, 10:48:44 pm ---
--- Quote from: TOK on May 18, 2006, 09:13:49 pm ---I have quite a few people ask me to either build or help build. Unfortunately, they're all the type of people that don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. ::)
Anyone with the means to purchase also seems to be the type that enjoys building themselves.
--- End quote ---
I agree.
Thats it. Nothing more to contribute. Agreeing with Drew. gg
I think what TOK is telling you is to see what the available window-owning market looks like out there ;)
As far as building cabs, simply building the shells are the only route you can take that won't involve heartache, headache, and several other types of aches. You certainly CAN build them if you wish, and do it for a side job, but restoring or modifying an existing shell would be the cheaper/easier way to do it, and less costly (although that's certainly not a given)
--- End quote ---
Fozzy The Bear:
The market is already pretty much saturated with suppliers on that front. It's noit as big a market as it seems to be either.
If it's a second income you're looking for, then this won't give it to you.
Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
PCtech:
Yep, all good stuff said here....
I wouldn't count on it as a second income, but if you can do it at a little over cost, and find a few interested people, then you can get a lot of satisfaction out of it, and the hobby might "sustain itself" (doubtful, but possible)
I was hoping to do something similar, untill I did it myself. I gutted and MAME'ed an old Mortal Kombat (restored the cabinet, but was in pretty good condition already). I profited about $200 off it (not counting labor time), and used it to buy some materials for the next one. A few people have seen that cabinet, and asked if I could do something for them.
Most show a lot of curiosity....untill you tell them the cost. The folks that are serious, seem to have a good amount of Disposable income.
My suggestion would be to build 1 (really nice) and try to get it somewhere that other folks (rick fols) will see it, and say "I want one of those".
But, in the end, no BIG money in it, but a lot of satisfaction if you love the stuff. :cheers:
Good luck!
Dervacumen:
--- Quote from: PCtech on May 19, 2006, 08:57:30 am ---
Most show a lot of curiosity....until you tell them the cost.
--- End quote ---
I think you hit the nail on the head with this statement. My experience has been people think it's great and they want one until you tell them you spent a grand on it. Your best bet would be to do one-offs on a case by case basis and determine if you're getting what you want out of it before you start ordering stuff. Kinda do an estimate for someone to gauge their seriousness, then work on a pay as you go basis, having them front the $$ for the supplies while you do the sourcing, figuring, and building. If you do it this way, you won't get stuck with a bunch of "inventory" and no demand.
Just a thought.