Where do you find your arcade games?

[ClubNinja]

We've all heard of the glories found at arcade auctions, but many of us don't have those nearby (or at least don't think we do.) Where do you find your games - local papers, small vendors, eBay, newsgroups...? Who do you try to talk to for leads and how's that been working for you?

Especially those of you with several machines, how and where did you get em? Any tips or stories?

[ehall]

It's been a long time since I've been actively looking for games, but when I was, I would go onto e-bay, and you can search for all arcade games, then refine the search to just your local area. Saves on shipping.

Local auctions blow.

[chadtower]

I've found my cabs in various places...

rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace - I think the title says it all. Great community of people, too.

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php - this forum is all about building your own machines (primarily MAME) but can be a great source of info/help on troubleshooting existing machines. I've learned more than I probably realize just by lurking there a few weeks and did buy one of my cabs there.

Yard sales - it DOES happen. My original POW cab was found at a yard sale for $75 in original and truly excellent condition. I've seen cabs several other times as well (and recently picked up a $600 pinball machine for $75 at a yard sale).

HERE - Yep, Digital Press. This forum itself is evidence of the growing influence of arcade cabinets here at Digital Press. This spring I picked up a Virtua Fighter 2 cab with a 50" projection screen from a fellow DP member.

Some more places I've seen some great stuff but haven't used yet myself:

Want Ads - Check the local classifieds. Use the web to check classifieds within a 75 mile radius. Machines do pop up.

Ebay - If you're buying something truly special and can't wait to find it locally, this is an option. Cabs are a BIA to ship, though, so what I usually do is just check the auctions within driving distance of my location. Good stuff does pop up locally if you're patient.

Word of Mouth - Don't be afraid to contact the manager of a small store with a cab you want. Don't be afraid to talk to the manager of the restaurant, of a local small arcade. If you see the name of a vendor on a cab's service tag, write it down. A lot of cabs are picked up via word of mouth and relationships within the community.

[Flack]

Here are the places I've bought games from, and both sides of each token. (Get it?)

Local Auctions

Good News: Shipping is only across town. You get to see the games in person before purchasing. You may get a really good deal pricewise!

Bad News: Competition. What's local to you is also local to other people. Local auctions tend to bring out lots of vendors and curiosity seekers. Both are bad news because they both are probably willing to pay more what a cabinet may be worth.

Local Newspaper Ads

Good News: May get a good price. Again, local shipping and the ability to see a cabinet before you buy it is a plus.

Bad News: Lots of people read the daily paper, so you have to be quick! Games tend to be greatly overpriced.

National Auctions

Good News: Lots of choices, seeing games in person.

Bad News: Shipping may be a problem, but it won't be your biggest. You'll be competing for the most part with vendors, people who can afford to pay more per game because they're going to be making a return on it in quarters, something you most likely won't be able to do in your home. Most national auctions have buyers and sellers fees, which can drive up the cost a bit (SuperAuctions.com charges 10% buyers fee and 3% credit card fee). These also seem to take forever (I left the last SuperAuctions auction after 8 hours, and they were just over halfway done).

eBay

Good News: Lots of choices, some good prices!

Bad News: Shipping (which can cost up to $300, sometimes more). Also, games which look great in photographs may not look as good in person. Plus, if your game arrives DOA, you're kind of SOL.

[98PaceCar]

Most of mine have been found word of mouth. People find out I collect and mention that their family/friend/whomever has a game in their garage. I've also bought quite a few from fellow collectors and even a couple at auctions. Only one on ebay so far, but he was local so it was an easy trip.

[Pantechnicon]

May I suggest police auctions? Here in New Mexico, sometimes what happens is that these truck stops and the like will have these cabs inside with an Out Of Order sign. After hours the sign comes off and the machines have been modded for illegal gaming; video poker and the like. I have seen where the police will confiscate the machines (Centipedes, Donkey Kongs etc.). Presumably they go to auction once the gambling stuff has been removed. Sure they might be missing boards, but if the board is all you have to worry about replacing then it might be worth a look.

This is just a hunch I've carried around with me a while now but I need to go investigate personally sometime I guess.

[Lucifersam1]

I have bought a bunch of stuff from this guy named Kevin in Connecticut. He has very good prices. He has a web site that usually does not reflect every item he has in stock (he has a TON of stuff). I believe it is www.ksamusements.com. Bought a cab from him a few years back that I made into a MAME cabinet (needed something to do after my ex gf ripped my heart out). Last time I was down there (April or so), he had some NEO Candy Cabs.. i wanted to buy one real bad, but my current gf would have probably left me (as I am unemployed and should not be buying such items!) Does anyone know anyone else in New England who has good stuff at reasonable prices?

Oh, I also try to get to the SuperAuctions down in Cherry Hill, NJ (quit a ride considering I hardly ever buy anything!)

[MarioAllStar2600]

Well I gto my Ms. Pac-man from a dealer out near my dad who refurbisheshes machines and sells them brand new. My Ms.Pac-man was a present though (along with my most expensive).

All my other ones were from ebay for real cheap prices. YAY! I don't pay for trucking either. YAY!