Considering buying an Arcade cabinet, just a few questions

[LCDSCREEN]

So, awhile back I built a Mame cabinet (On a fairly tight budget) and although it is cool and "Gets the job done", I still prefer to go out and play on real Arcade cabinets. I want to buy a cabinet, to run real games. First I thought about auctions, those are cool but for me the hassle to actually wait for an auction to start nearby (Lower mainland, BC) and then go... Well it's a little too much since all I really want is a single machine to keep in the corner and play. Of course, if anyone knows of any nearby, that would help.

Then I thought about trying to buy from an Arcade. We have a place nearby, it's sort of like a "Family Fun Centre". It's got a good selection of games, a whole lot of ticket redemption stuff, mini-golf, etc. It's a great place. Anyway, is there any way I could try and buy one off of them? From what I've seen on the net, people usually buy stuff like that from smaller joints that may have just a few set up. I don't want to really contact them before I got some more info.
If I were to call them, what would I ask for? I would be happy with just an empty cabinet with a working monitor to stick something else in, but do places like that even consider selling games they have on the floor? There's a Marvel VS Capcom 2 and a Street Fighter Alpha 3 machine I would like to try and get a hold of, although they are somewhat popular (I can only assume, I've never actually seen anyone play the MvC2 cabinet...). They have 1942 and Alien VS Predator machines in the corner which are probably only played by me, so maybe I should try for one of those? How much do you think I would pay?

Finally, I was thinking of buying online. I found this site: http://www.coinopexpress.com/index.html
They sell Japanese Candy Cabinets from about 400 dollars. The Sega Astro City is really nice (http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/machines/cabinets_only/Astro_City_552.html) and the price is okay, but the shipping would probably be a problem...

So, any help would be great. Just some general info and tips would be awesome. I can't afford anything right now, but just to have something to expect, you know?

[CheffoJeffo]

First, welcome.

Next, check the Coin-Op Corner forum at CGCC -- most of the coin-op guys are from Ontario and Quebec, but there are some folks from the West who pop in and might be able to point you in a good local direction. I would assume that there is a decent network of folks in the Western parts of the country, but I have no idea where/how they connect.

There are a couple of distributors out in BC (OK, probably more than a couple, but two that I have heard of), neither of whom I have dealt with:

http://www.flippers.com -- most collectors in the East lament the fact that John is in BC with some of the New-In-Box and warehouse finds

http://www.cagsonline.com -- I had never heard of them until last night, when I was asked if I had ever dealt with them

Hope that helps.

[LCDSCREEN]

Hey, thanks for the links!
I checked out both of the sites and there was a really cool Street Fighter cabinet on Flippers. I want it. I'll definitely e-mail them with some questions sometime in the future when I have the money, if it isn't sold by then. It would look really nice in place of my Mame cabinet, hopefully disassembling it won't be too hard (It's really, really budget, it would be no loss).
I'll also make sure to check that forum. Again, thanks a lot!

[g.robert]

I bought my Area 51 Site 4 from;

http://www.namcoarcade.com/game-sales.asp

I was able to check it out at the actual game room before hauling it off. I check them from time to time. I purchased my defender and SF2 Champion edition out of the local newspaper classifieds.

[Mauzy]

I bought my Area 51 Site 4 from;

http://www.namcoarcade.com/game-sales.asp

I was able to check it out at the actual game room before hauling it off. I check them from time to time. I purchased my defender and SF2 Champion edition out of the local newspaper classifieds.

Ive called them three or four times to buy games from that site and they are ALWAYS already sold. Congratz on being the lucky one...

[LCDSCREEN]

I bought my Area 51 Site 4 from;

http://www.namcoarcade.com/game-sales.asp

I was able to check it out at the actual game room before hauling it off. I check them from time to time. I purchased my defender and SF2 Champion edition out of the local newspaper classifieds.

Ive called them three or four times to buy games from that site and they are ALWAYS already sold. Congratz on being the lucky one...

Oh man, that's a really cool site. There's nothing listed in Canada though, and although we do live near the border there's nothing being sold that's not at least a state over.

[Ummon]

I bought my Area 51 Site 4 from;

http://www.namcoarcade.com/game-sales.asp

I was able to check it out at the actual game room before hauling it off. I check them from time to time. I purchased my defender and SF2 Champion edition out of the local newspaper classifieds.

Ive called them three or four times to buy games from that site and they are ALWAYS already sold. Congratz on being the lucky one...

Apparently, they don't update it till they put something new up - who knows when that is - and they get bought up right away. However, if you contact the local sales rep, they may be able to find you something. That's what I happened into, but I ended up not following it up because I picked up my candy instead.