Episode 64 - Pinball Buyer's Guide

Wedgehead offers comprehensive buyer's guide for new and used pinball machines with practical tips.

Synopsis

Alex and Alan from Wedgehead A A Pinball Podcast provide practical advice for buyers considering pinball machine purchases, covering new game acquisition, used game evaluation, transportation logistics, and seller categorization. They reiterate previous warnings against treating pinball machines as investments, emphasize the importance of evaluating seller type when buying used games, and provide detailed guidance on movement, storage, and cost considerations for first-time buyers.

Highlights

• Pinball machines are not investments and do not reliably appreciate in value; buyers should not expect to recoup costs or profit from purchases.
• Distributors typically offer free or reduced-cost delivery for new game purchases and will provide setup assistance and basic training to first-time buyers.
• Stern Pinball games may be available at discounts below MSRP, particularly for slower-selling titles or overstock inventory.
• Hydraulic lift carts are effective for moving pinball machines but are heavy, space-consuming, and impractical for long-distance transportation or small homes.
• Many vintage pinball machines can fit in standard vehicle types like Honda Fits and station wagons, with Pinside maintaining a community thread documenting vehicle compatibility.
• Used game sellers fall into distinct categories (dusty garage sellers, warehouse/professional resellers) requiring different negotiation and evaluation approaches.
• Games listed as 'working perfect' by non-enthusiast sellers often have undiscovered issues requiring expensive repairs, turning apparent deals into money pits.
• Prospective buyers should be flexible about which specific game they purchase and should not wait indefinitely for a particular title, as opportunities are rare and time-sensitive.

Entities

• Stern· company
• Arabian Night· game
• Galaxy· game
• Grand Prix· game
• Hobbit· game
• House of Horrors· game
• John Wick· game
• Tales of the Arabian Nights· game
• Ultraman· game
• Pinside· organization
• Wedgehead Pinball Podcast· organization
• Alan· person
• Alex· person
• Johnny Two Slap· person
• Megan· person
• Roadsy· person
• Ko-fi· platform
• Pentastic· venue