tell me about buying a cabinet from a place

[arsey]

Has anyone bought a cabinet from a place that wasn't necessarily selling one?
There's a non-working Star Wars Trilogy Arcade cabinet sitting in a local restaurant's tiny arcade section that I would like very much. The only other machines they have are some racing game and a bunch of chance carnival-like games.

Just looking for some tips about approaching them for buying it, how to talk price and all that, if anyone's successfully pulled off a purchase. I'm not even sure what I'd offer them.

[surface tension]

Just be up-front and go and ask them what is happening with the cabinet and then see if they would be interested in selling it. If they name a price and you are unsure, there are plenty of people to advise you whether to buy or not. Get as much info on why it's not working too as that will help people advise you what you're letting yourself in for!

I see them on ebay fairly regularly so you should be able to get a feeling from there.

[Gatt]

Disclaimer:  I am not the voice of experience.

You could just outright approach them on it,  if it's not working it's not making them money,  and as far as a buisness is concerned that means that some space that could be making money somehow is presently a loss.  Just ask to speak to a manager,  inquire if they might have interest in selling it,  and if so whom could you contact?  Even if they weren't thinking about it,  I'm sure they'll at least entertain the offer.

Thing is though,  it could be sitting because they're waiting for a part,  or it could be a vendor that put it there and splits the money.  If they're waiting for a part then they're not unhappy with it,  it'll make it a little harder to get.  If it's a vendor...the vendor's out to make money,  and he knows the value of the machine pretty well most likely,  you probably won't get a deal.

Looks like on E-bay they're going for between 1k-3k working cockpits,  cabinet looks about $750.  I'd lowball it,  first ask if they know what's wrong with it,  and make a guesstimate on how much it'd cost to fix.  Adjust your offer by there.  If it were something minor,  I'd say "Well how about $400(Or maybe $500)?"  and see what response I get.

If it's a hesitant "Ummm...I think it's worth a bit more...",  they're considering the offer,  you'll get it for like $100 - $150 more probably.

If it's a straight out "No.",  it's going to be a bit more,  ask them if they have a number in mind that they're willing to part with it for,  then offer like $100 - $150 less and negotiate.  Any number they give you is going to be one to two hundred more than they'll actually accept.  Just like you will lowball them,  they'll highball you.

I have a couple collector-type hobbies,  I'm used to negotaiting,  it's not hard,  it's really alot like poker...

[RayB]

Step 1: Look at the machine and see if there's a sticker on it with the operating business' name and # on it.

[arsey]

Hmm, very good info guys, thanks! Gives me a good base to work from.
I didn't even think to check for business info on the machine.
There's another cabinet I found that I'm interested in, again not working, but this one's at a thrift shop so it should be a bit easier to buy from them 

[MameMaster!]

It's also possible they would love to have someone volunteer to just take it off of their property at no cost to you...ask if it was going to be dumped!...you never know. 

[garnerb350]

Hurry up and jump on it...because more than likey, there is somebody else thinking the same as you....plus with it being star wars...people are going to ask...and act like piranas

I had a friend of mine who is the produce manager at a grocery store. When EP 1 was coming out, Pepsi had lifesize r2d2 coolers sent to the stores...He told me that when it was time to get rid of them...people were coming in and offering 2-300 bucks for it.

Ive gone to auctions and seen busted SW trilogys sell for 750 on up to 1500 bucks (which to me is way too much for the condition they were in)....blows my mind...

good luck to you...would love to hear if you were able to get it...