Obtaining old cabinets for cheap?

[abrownbear]

Does anyone have any advice or experience on obtaining old cabinets from places such as Putt Putt or bowling/arcade combo places.  I imagine that places like Putt Putt have some corporate control over their machines, thus making it harder to obtain one.

Do the managers of these stores make the decisions about where the games end up?

Any advice/stories would be greatly appreciated 

[knave]

There's a tremendous amount of luck involved.  I really don't think there's a better place than craigslist to look. Ebay can be ok, and while you can get lucky at some arcade or another...it's far more effective to check CL multiple times daily.  It might take a month but you will find one between free and $100 eventually. If you want to go all out check the CL in all the major areas within driving distance to you.

Good luck.

[abrownbear]

I'd heard of Craig's list but never checked it out before, looks great, thanks for the info

[vintagegamer]

Here's one I saw today:

eBay Link

[shardian]

Most putt-putts or bowling alleys don't own their machines. Arcade vendors put the machines on site, and split the proceeds with the business. If there is a specific machine you are wanting, or just want to inquire in general, look for a service number on the machines at the business. Once you find your local arcade vendor, you then can start harassing them to cut you a deal.

BTW, since you are wanting a simpsons cabinet, you might be able to get one from a vendor. If not specifically a simpsons, then you could at least find a Midway MK cabinet and make your own art and control panel. You would save a bunch of money if you could find a simpsons cab at a vendor and offer them $$. The art alone to make a scratch built simpsons would run you about $200.

[SirPeale]

You didn't post your location, so if someone that was nearby you had something to offer, we'd never know.

[abrownbear]

All interesting info, ill check out the vendors as well.

If anyone is selling one in N. Texas i'd be interested.

[unclet]

I called arcade places and ask the manager who owns the games.  It was usually some offsite arcade vendor person who brings in games and maintains them for the business in which they are located in (ie: Putt Putt golf place, bowling alley, etc...) and then the vendor would provide a percentage of the profits with the company owning the location.

I would ask the manager for the phone number of the vendor and then call the vendor directly.  They usually have some old games lying around they know are not making them any money anymore so perhaps they would sell you one.    If they do not, always ask for references to other vendors (ro anyone else they know who might have arcade cabinets).   I usually found a few more good names which I would never have found in the yellow pages, or anywhere else.   Most of the people I dealt with end up having storage units with arcade cabinets inside.  They would meet me at these storage units and let me look around a bit for something I might want.

I would also call every "arcade" and "amusement vendor" listed in the yellow pages and listed in Yahoo Yellow pages in cities which I would not mind driving to.  I would not focus on "main" cities only, since little cities tend to have a lot better deals in my mind.   The big city people might try to get more money out of you, but this is my on opinion really.  Not to say you cant find a good deal in the bigger cities, I would just try the little guys as well.

Good luck.

[CheffoJeffo]

In addition to letting us know where you are from, I would recommend checking the Meet-Up threads and seeing who is in your area. Or if there is a local community of hobbyists in your area.

The majority of cabs that I come across are at the local auction (40-50 cabs every 6 weeks, mostly generic), but second is the local collector communities -- there are always a number of cabs available.

Also check RGVAC/RGVAM.

Cheers.

[vintagegamer]

THAT explains it!!  They all got shipped to CANADA!!   

[CheffoJeffo]

THAT explains it!!  They all got shipped to CANADA!!   

Well, I do have an unfair advantage -- I live a 2 minute drive from Canada's biggest op (at least I think they are Canada's biggest).

But most of the stuff I have picked up recently has been from other hobbyists whom I have met.

[Havok]

Not sure of the distance, but check out Eyedoc:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=67430.0

He's in Lewisville, and I believe he's got a bunch of stuff...

[Jeff AMN]

I got my cabinet for free simply because I asked. I just went to the nearest distributor and asked if they had any non-working cabinets that they would be willing to part with. He told me that I could have my pick of cabs lacking a monitor and board as long as I was willing to haul it away. I ended up with a Mortal Kombat II cab (with working power supply, marquee light, controls) and used it to make my first MAME cabinet.

I still have the two 49-ways if anybody is interested...

[urbecrisch]

Too bad you didn't post this a week earlier .  There was an arcade auction in Mesquite, TX just East of Dallas on 5/26/07.  I'm sure you would have found a decent CAB there.  Keep an eye out on CL and check out SuperAuctions to see when another auction is coming your way.  

http://www.superauctions.com/launch/home/index.html#Current%20and%20Upcoming%20Auctions

[shardian]

I got my cabinet for free simply because I asked. I just went to the nearest distributor and asked if they had any non-working cabinets that they would be willing to part with. He told me that I could have my pick of cabs lacking a monitor and board as long as I was willing to haul it away. I ended up with a Mortal Kombat II cab (with working power supply, marquee light, controls) and used it to make my first MAME cabinet.

I still have the two 49-ways if anybody is interested...

You suck.

[BobA]

Check out Freecycle if you have a local group.  Got lucky and picked up 2 free cabs this week.

[urbecrisch]

Another SuperAuctions will be in Mesquite, TX on October 13, 2007.  I know...that's a long time to wait but they're definitely worth going to!

[abrownbear]

thanks for all the great info everyone 

[Chemixtry]

I have a converted robotron cab (converted to Kung Fu) I'd let go for cheap. It has a monitor but I havent messed with it yet.I was told there was something wrong with the flyback. I was going to make a multi-williams out of it but I just never get around to it. I'm in Carrollton (N. Dallas).

I'll second Eyedoc he is a great guy - easy to deal with.  He's not  in Lewisville anymore he is out in Argyle.

[abrownbear]

Went to putt putt today, not a great selection although it was my first time in a while to be in an arcade so I did get a few ideas.  One of the Cruisin World machines had the back door open for some reason so I got to check out the layout and the huge board in there.  The company listed on the machines is "Global VR" out of California.  I'll have to give them a call later.

[Chemixtry]

Here are pics - make an offer. If anyone is interested I have the full multi-williams art from Phoenix arcade that isn't made anymore.

[psik0tik]

I think this is the age old question amongst us.."how do I get cheap arcade cabinets"

[rovingmind]

Here are pics - make an offer. If anyone is interested I have the full multi-williams art from Phoenix arcade that isn't made anymore.

which state is it in?

[cowguy]

Here are pics - make an offer. If anyone is interested I have the full multi-williams art from Phoenix arcade that isn't made anymore.

which state is it in?

Dallas, TX

[BobA]

The company listed on the machines is "Global VR" out of California.  I'll have to give them a call later.

Global VR is a manufacturer of arcade cabs not an operator.

[rovingmind]

Here are pics - make an offer. If anyone is interested I have the full multi-williams art from Phoenix arcade that isn't made anymore.

which state is it in?

Dallas, TX

bummer out of my range, i'm in toledo ohio

[iMPULSZE]

Im in the sacramento, CA area....have easy access to the Reno, NV and San Francisco Bay area...  Anyone have Ideas where I can get old empty gutted cabs?  I am looking specifically for double monitor cabs, or sitdown style with 2 monitors.