Is this "Original" Donkey Kong for $500 on craiglist reasonable?

[dndcollect]

what do you guys think of this?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/300417001.html

he went down from $600, i am wondering if i can get him down more.

Is $500 a decent price here? I am a total newb.

[javeryh]

It looks like it's in very good condition although it's always hard to tell from pictures.  It would probably cost just as much if not more to build a replica and since it works I'd say $500 is reasonable but I'm not that up on the value of old cabs...  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd pay $500 for a newish working DK machine if I had the money and space for it.

[Jeff AMN]

I'd pay that in a second. I'm tearing my hair out trying to find a Donkey Kong or Ms. Pac-Man in that kind of condition.

[modessitt]

I've always thought that if you want something bad enough, any price below $1000 is usually "reasonable".

The only reason it wouldn't be "reasonable" is if you didn't care about it being a DK and you're just looking to own a game.

[RayB]

Why is it orange?
Does the monitor work? Is it flakey? Is it running MAME?

I would not commit to purchasing this without seeing in person. The photos are too small and vague + no screenshots.

[FrizzleFried]

No side art either...probably a DKJr conversion.

[Crowquill]

Claiming that it's "original" could be one of two things:

Guy's lying about that and might be lying about other things too.
Guy's clueless and really thinks a DK cab should be bright (orange) as the sun. He might even think he has a "rare" version.

Still, $500 for a working DK is fair.

[modessitt]

Looks like it was converted from a Mario Bros. as those are the only dedicated Nintendo cabs I've seen that were orange, although there may have been others.

Who cares?  $500 for a working DK in pretty good shape AND a stool?  Not to shabby....

Buy it.  Paint it blue.  Chase the monkey.

[FrizzleFried]

Donkey Kong Jr. cabinets were orange.

I asked the seller a few questions and here is his answer:

Hey Jon.  I have no idea if its a Donkey Kong JR conversion.  I looked on the back, didnt see anything.  I see where there was some type of tag, but nothing legible.  I could take some pics for you if you want.  The monitor works perfect, I have never had a problem at all.  no flickering, no shaking, no shrinkage. perfect.  only thing is that it usually takes about 30 seconds after you turn it on for the game to pop up.  If you tell me where to look I will try to tell you what type of monitor.  The coin thing works fine.  The only problem is that I dont have the key to lock the door.  Any other questions please ask! Thanks for the interest!!!

Sounds like he really doesn't know what he has there...just a casual player who picked it up it seems.  I bet you could low ball him and get it for $350-$400.

[Donkey_Kong]

Buy it.  Paint it blue.  Chase the monkey.

Word Homey!   

[shorthair]

It does look pre-tty nice on the outside.

[dndcollect]

thanks for the help guys.

here is a question....

the wife would not be thrilled with arcade(s) in the house, however i am thinking that i may take the angle of I am buying it to restore and sell it so it will make money.

so anyway, if i were to paint it correctly, add repro stickers, etc and restore it what would the value be?

i guess there are going to be 2 values, 1 for people like us or you guys ( i am a newb) or 2 people who just want an arcade game and dont care about details.

[modessitt]

the wife would not be thrilled with arcade(s) in the house, however i am thinking that i may take the angle of I am buying it to restore and sell it so it will make money.

That's a good one.  I may need to try that on my wife..... 

"Sorry, honey, I've just been to busy to get it done!  (But not too busy to play it.)"

[RayB]

At his price point, any money you dump into it will not be recovered (or just barely).

[FrizzleFried]

If you picked it up for $350 and put $100 or so in to it,  you may be able to recoup the $100 + $50 to $100 more...plus you get the game in the house and all the playtime you want.

[dndcollect]

wow, that little?  is that usual or has the market gotten bad?

i noticed that at some recent arcade auctions the selection worse than it used to be.