How to Buy a Pinball Machine Without Breaking the Bank: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are thinking about buying a pinball machine, do not make the mistake of buying just anything without doing your homework first. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed choice and avoid nasty surprises.

1. Set Your Budget

The first step is to decide on your maximum budget for a fully working pinball machine. A good rule of thumb is to split that budget in two:

• 60% for the machine itself
• 40% for any repairs and upgrades

For example, if your total budget is €1500 to €1800, your price range for the machine on its own should sit somewhere between €900 and €1100.

2. Factor In Transport Costs

It is rare to find a good pinball machine right on your doorstep, so be ready to pay for transport. If you own an estate car or a trailer, the trip will be a lot easier. In a 320D touring e46, for instance, you can fit a Volcano-type widebody.

Budget roughly €10 per 100 km for transport, allowing plenty of margin for French motorway tolls.

3. Allow for the Small Consumables

The small supplies you will need to keep a pinball machine running include:

• Rubber ring pack, balls, bulbs, fuse kit: €65 to €100 (allow more if you want LEDs)

4. Choose the Right Machine

In this price bracket, machines are often faulty or sold "for restoration". For a first purchase, it is well worth choosing a machine from a well-known manufacturer, because the forums are full of advice on those models.

5. Avoid the Bad Buys

Here is an example of a machine to steer clear of, found on a German site. This one ticks a remarkable number of the wrong boxes:

Reading the Listing

• Price too high: if the asking price is above your range, walk away.
• The Sinbad: a quick check on Pinside (bear in mind the guide price does not necessarily reflect your local market) shows US prices are fairly low, topping out around 1720 USD (roughly €1565), so you would risk not getting your money back if you ever resold it.

Reading the Photos

• Repainted red: that means it will have to be repainted again to get back to original condition, which is expensive and takes real skill.
• Electronic problems: the terminal blocks and the light corrosion near the battery are both bad signs.
• A mess inside the cabinet: crocodile clips are not meant to stand in for fuses. Bodged wiring and a cabinet resprayed in red are things you have to take into account.

• Even the playfield has been fiddled with — that post in the middle of the outhole is not supposed to be there:

Conclusion

Whatever you do, do not buy a pinball machine with these problems:

• Bodged wiring
• A cabinet resprayed roughly
• A modified playfield
• Fuses replaced by something that is not a fuse

For listings I would recommend, have a look at my other blog articles on machines like Mars God of War and Raven.

Read My Other Articles

For more recommendations and advice, do take a look at my other blog articles. You will find detailed breakdowns of machines like Mars God of War and Raven.

Follow this guide and you will be far better prepared to buy a pinball machine that not only lives up to your expectations, but actually works!