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Published on PastPerfectBiz.com, April 2009
Author Don Orlandi
Where To Buy
There are many places to purchase vintage games and machines, but they don’t all offer the same quality levels or consumer protection.
Before even considering buying vintage games or machines, you should have a plan for how you will repair and maintain the machines. Realize that you are buying commercially-used equipment and they can and do break or malfunction and require periodic maintenance to keep them performing properly. Even when they were originally built these mechanical devices typically required professional vending companies to maintain them and keep them running. If you can’t perform the work yourself, be prepared to pay a fairly high sum of money to a repair professional.
- Amusement Retailers, like Past Perfect Biz (http://www.pastperfectbiz.com), offer fully restored authentic pieces, usually with additional services such as home delivery (convenient for games that weigh more than 300 pounds), set-up and routine maintenance (for a fee). If you are unfamiliar with vintage electronics, the Amusement Retailer is the best option for you. You will likely pay the highest price for a game, but you save yourself the hassle and expense of restoring the unit yourself. They often offer a 30 day or longer warranty on the game, but be aware that there are certain weak points in just about every generation of machine electronics and a retailer may make modifications to the original design to ensure the longevity of your item.
- Basement dealers, often found on eBay or classified ads, are individuals that sell games out of their garages or basements. Since they do not have a formal business, the credibility and stability varies greatly. They may, or may not, offer warranties, home delivery, references and reliability upgrades. You should expect to pay less from a basement dealer because they have no overhead and usually offer fewer guarantees and services. You should always target local Basement Dealers so that you can view the machine in-person and avoid being scammed by long-distance sellers.
- Homeowner sellers are individuals that are selling an old game that has sat in their home for quite a while. You will most likely find their ads in the local classifieds. The game may, or may not, be working, and you will get no warranty nor delivery. Pricing varies dramatically, since Homeowner Sellers rarely know the value of their machine.
- Auctions are ideal for seasoned vintage machine buyers who can accurately estimate the value of a machine with only a picture or a brief in-person overview (you aren’t allowed to “look under the hood”). Auctions are typically the end of the line for games that have been “on-location” for many years and have had a very hard life. If you are not in this category, do not buy from an auction house.
Shipping Smart
Games can be damaged during shipping. Pack them carefully (with proof) and classify them correctly (typically “sensitive electronic device”) or the carrier will deny any insurance claim you might make. This will likely increase the shipping to a more expensive rate than originally estimated by the seller.
If buying online, ask if the item can be shipped to you on an “approval” basis and get the terms in writing. This allows you to inspect the item and perhaps have a local expert take a look at it, too.
Authentic Vintage Vs. Reproduction
It is important to know the difference between genuine vintage collectibles, items that are at least 50 years old, and reproductions, their fake counterparts. Reproductions may be preferred by some buyers, because of the updated features and materials, but they are also used to defraud unknowing consumers. In theory, a reproduction should be cheaper than an authentic vintage machine in prime condition. The term “Repro” is not short for reproduction, but it is used describe a new item that has been purposefully created with the intent to deceive and sell at its genuine counterpart vintage price.
Shopping & Buying Tips
Do your homework to research vintage collectibles before you buy them to avoid buying something that isn’t what you thought or paying more than you should. This may include visiting antique shops, malls, and auctions; talking with collectors and reputable dealers; and reading price guides, auction catalogs, books, and magazines on the items you’re interested in buying.
Using a reference guide can be helpful in determining a reasonable price range you should pay for a particular piece. Price guides are books filled with technical information on specific vintage collectibles, including brief histories, references, short descriptions, photos, and average retail prices. The prices listed can’t take certain variables into account — like the condition of a particular item or its popularity in a particular location. Price guides can be general or specialized and are updated routinely. Auction catalogs are another source for reference prices. They suggest how much selling price varies from asking price. Get a catalog before a sale, and ask to receive the “prices realized” list, which details what items actually sold for. Items are worth what people are willing to pay for them.
When shopping, ask questions: How long have you been a dealer? Do you specialize in certain items? How do you know the item is genuine and not a fake or reproduction? How did you determine the price for the item? What is your warranty policy?
Hints To Determine the Age of Your Machine
Check for a patent number and/or date. While this may not be 100% accurate, it is a good clue. Cross-reference the patent number with the patent date by contacting the US Patent and Trademark Office.
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