Atari IV - UPDATE: Now with PICS!

[jimto]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I have a chance to buy an Atari IV cocktail that works except for the monitor. The guy is not being overly helpful, he keeps saying "Oh I haven't decided on price, just make an offer". He says it worked fine, all 4 sets of controls worked, until a month ago when the monitor stopped working. It still turns on, makes noise, etc... doesn't smell burnt or anything. For as ancient as it is, the machine itself is in good shape.

My guess is he doesn't know what it is worth and frankly, neither do I. I'll give him fair money for it, but I don't want to grossly overpay him either.
Google is not offering me the usual help either.

Can anyone offer some price guidlines?

EDIT: I found http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=goal/4&page=detail&id=3763 but am not sure how accurate it is.


 

[wp34]

Coincidentally I just looked at a Craigslist posting for one in Iowa today.

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/ele/1263146483.html

Needs a monitor and he wants only $50. 

[jimto]

...

WTH....! 

I haven't actually seen the cocktail yet. The guy emailed me about 15 minutes before I posted, that's when I called and he gave me the "I don't know, just make the offer" comment. He did know I was looking for old cabinets...I just bought one of his friend's old Rygar cabinet a few weeks ago and asked the guy I bought it from to spread the word I was looking for cheap arcade games.

This dude was trying to @!@# me. Based off the arcadehostory.com site I was gonna offer him far more than that.

I've called the Craigslist guy and will be seeing him tonight.

[wp34]

When you say Craigslist guy do you mean you contacted the one I posted?  Are you located in Iowa by any chance?

[jimto]

I did and I am (in Iowa, Des Moines to be exact), but I should mention I knew about the Craigslist ad before your post.  I missed out on a Rush n' Attack cab in Ankeny for $ 80 last week on Craigslist (even tho I emailed less than 2 hrs of the post) so I keep a tab open in my browser and refresh it when I get a chance.

I called Jeremiah (Craigslist guy) earlier and made plans to see it this evening. I had the post typed before I saw the Craigslist ad and figured it was a good thing to know the price anyway, (I am new to refurbs/MAME,) so I just posted it as is even tho I knew the dude was trying to jank me.

I felt/feel stupid cuz I WOULD have offered him more money based off arcadehistory.com so I just went with the anger I felt in my 2nd post even though I had figured out his deal.

Right now I'm headed to my buddy's place. We're gonna grab some Taco Bell and wait for Jeremiah (Craigslist guy)to call and say he's home. Then hopefully I'll be making a purchase!

[jimto]

I bought it. I threw some quick pics up on Picasaweb: 

http://picasaweb.google.com/jimto1/AtariGoalIV#

Turns out the guy that was trying to rip me off, we'll just call him "Bob", well it seems Jeremiah (Craigslist guy) was getting emails from a guy named "Bob" as well.  That still torques me off. 

It also turns out the Rush n' Attack cab I didn't get to in time, Jeremiah's buddy bought it. Guess it's a small world in central Iowa when it comes to arcade machines. 

And Rygar pics if you are so inclined. Ignore the unfinished basement. That is where all my cabs will go as soon as I get it finished:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jimto1/RYGAR#

[jimto]

Wp34,

Jeremiah said there was a guy in Des Moines named "Jukebox Jim" that worked on older machines in case I hit a wall, but didn't know any contact info off the top of his head. Ever heard of this guy?  Any idea how to reach him or know if he has a shop somewhere?

[Kevin Mullins]

Nice score !!   

Looks like you have a good ol' Motorola B/W in there. (XM501 maybe)
Expect to throw a cap kit in it and go from there.
Bob Roberts has some kits for these.

[wp34]

Wp34,

Jeremiah said there was a guy in Des Moines named "Jukebox Jim" that worked on older machines in case I hit a wall, but didn't know any contact info off the top of his head. Ever heard of this guy?  Any idea how to reach him or know if he has a shop somewhere?

Nice score.  Glad it went to someone on our board.   

I've not heard of "Jukebox Jim".  I am in Des Moines also and not named Bob.   

I did find out that Moss Distributors over on Guthrie sells Nieman Displays and Wells Gardner monitors.  They might do repair as well.

http://www.mossdist.com/

Keep us posted on your progress.