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Found it! Totan

This one arrived for repair to me a few weeks ago. I’ve fixed a whole bunch of issues and it now plays. Not sure if owner wants to sell, but can ask......
 

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At the risk of invoking the wrath of the Vid collecting community, I had no issues dealing with Gary at all. He offered me a very fair price, one that was motivating enough for me to sell a pin I wasn’t ins hurry to sell, paid a deposit up front despite not knowing me from Adam, turned up when he said he would, paid the full amount without a word. From my point of view, it’s all good and I’d be happy to sell to him again.
 
johnh said:
At the risk of invoking the wrath of the Vid collecting community, I had no issues dealing with Gary at all. He offered me a very fair price, one that was motivating enough for me to sell a pin I wasn’t ins hurry to sell, paid a deposit up front despite not knowing me from Adam, turned up when he said he would, paid the full amount without a word. From my point of view, it’s all good and I’d be happy to sell to him again.
Click to expand...

That's because it's being flipped for 10k as he'll have a buyer lined up.

Hence deposit, super nice to deal with and came to collect etc.
 
I have a wad of pin-shaped cash, so I'm all good. I don't really have a red or blue robot in this fight, but if there's a 10k TOTAN buyer out there, they certainly didn't make themselves known to me, and he offered me more for a half-stripped players TOTAN than anyone else did. Anyway, on to my WTB ad :)
 
johnh said:
I have a wad of pin-shaped cash, so I'm all good. I don't really have a red or blue robot in this fight, but if there's a 10k TOTAN buyer out there, they certainly didn't make themselves known to me, and he offered me more for a half-stripped players TOTAN than anyone else did. Anyway, on to my WTB ad :)
Click to expand...
The problem with this “I’ve got a wad of pin shaped cash” approach is you can basically kiss goodbye to that pinball ever ending up in someone’s hands at a normal price anymore.

And it’s all fun and games until you want to buy a pin that Gary has flipped. And suddenly people expect 10k for a machine that would usually would sell for 4 because, they’ve seen one on eBay for that.

I’d turn up yo your house full of smiles, handshakes and a deposit if I knew I was taking your good and paying you half of what I knew I was going to sell them for.

It don’t make the person a bad person, but it shouldn’t be allowed on here and whilst it suits you now it might not when you come buy in the future
 
I feel like I'm Derrick O'Conner, checking to see if I'm standing on a sheet of plastic :)

In the spirit of a friendly Christmas debate (I’m a lover, not a fighter), I’m not buying your argument.

TLDR—The argument that the community shouldn't sell to resellers doesn't hold water. No community has a right to restrict supply or to keep prices artificially low to its benefit.

Still here? Strap in.

Let’s set Gary aside and focus on what feels like the core of your point—one echoed by Alpha1 and Will (Although, as we all know, Alpha1 is new to the scene and knows nothing about collecting arcade classics, and Will, with the South Coast Pinball Mafia, promised to do another slam, so clearly, his word means nothing*).
*For the avoidance of doubt, both of these statements are entirely tongue-in-cheek.

Your argument seems to be: passionate collectors shouldn't sell to known resellers because a) resellers add no value, b) it deprives the community, and c) it drives up prices. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I disagree and, with respect, find this perspective both myopic and entitled for the following reasons:
  1. Resellers add value: If they didn’t, they wouldn’t exist. Many buyers prefer dealing with businesses for convenience, advice, warranties, and recourse. Like in the car market, some buy from dealers even if it costs more. Value is subjective.
  2. Margins are fair: Resellers need margins to sustain their services. High markups may seem unfair, but the market decides. If buyers think the price isn’t worth it, they’ll go elsewhere. It’s not up to the community to dictate others’choices.
  3. They’re not ripping people off: Resellers fulfill a market need. Buyers who care about resale value usually research beforehand. Depreciation exists—it’s not a rip-off, just reality.
  4. Collecting community entitlement: Rare items becoming pricier isn’t solely due to resellers—it’s supply, demand, and trends like COVID. If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. The community isn't entitled to special pricing or control over who enters the hobby.
  5. Resellers don’t ruin circulation: Free-market dynamics ensure items move through various channels—collectors, resellers, forums, etc. Everyone buys and sells at prices that reflect their own interpretation of value.
  6. eBay prices: Unrealistic listings don't sell. If they do, the market has spoken. Again - If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. Complaining about price increases boils down to wishing for preferential treatment.
So, my view is the opposite of yours. Gary and other resellers fulfill a market need and, in doing so, make the market more accessible. In turn, that brings more money into the scene, and that benefits us all in the long run—unless you want to buy a TOTAN :)

Finally, back to Gary: across hobbies, buyers can be a pain—flaky, haggling, or unprepared. Gary wasn’t any of that. Perhaps he stole my kittens’ wool ball when I wasn’t looking. They have been mewling a lot. Maybe he's not a good reseller, but if so, the market decides.

I rest my case, your honor. I await your rebuttal. However, even I'm getting bored with the sound of my own voice, and I'm pretty sure no one made it this far down.
 
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johnh said:
I feel like I'm Derrick O'Conner, checking to see if I'm standing on a sheet of plastic :)

In the spirit of a friendly Christmas debate (I’m a lover, not a fighter), I’m not buying your argument.

TLDR—The argument that the community shouldn't sell to resellers doesn't hold water. No community has a right to restrict supply or to keep prices artificially low to its benefit.

Still here? Strap in.

Let’s set Gary aside and focus on what feels like the core of your point—one echoed by Alpha1 and Will (Although, as we all know, Alpha1 is new to the scene and knows nothing about collecting arcade classics, and Will, with the South Coast Pinball Mafia, promised to do another slam, so clearly, his word means nothing*).
*For the avoidance of doubt, both of these statements are entirely tongue-in-cheek.

Your argument seems to be: passionate collectors shouldn't sell to known resellers because a) resellers add no value, b) it deprives the community, and c) it drives up prices. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I disagree and, with respect, find this perspective both myopic and entitled for the following reasons:
  1. Resellers add value: If they didn’t, they wouldn’t exist. Many buyers prefer dealing with businesses for convenience, advice, warranties, and recourse. Like in the car market, some buy from dealers even if it costs more. Value is subjective.
  2. Margins are fair: Resellers need margins to sustain their services. High markups may seem unfair, but the market decides. If buyers think the price isn’t worth it, they’ll go elsewhere. It’s not up to the community to dictate others’choices.
  3. They’re not ripping people off: Resellers fulfill a market need. Buyers who care about resale value usually research beforehand. Depreciation exists—it’s not a rip-off, just reality.
  4. Collecting community entitlement: Rare items becoming pricier isn’t solely due to resellers—it’s supply, demand, and trends like COVID. If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. The community isn't entitled to special pricing or control over who enters the hobby.
  5. Resellers don’t ruin circulation: Free-market dynamics ensure items move through various channels—collectors, resellers, forums, etc. Everyone buys and sells at prices that reflect their own interpretation of value.
  6. eBay prices: Unrealistic listings don't sell. If they do, the market has spoken. Again - If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. Complaining about price increases boils down to wishing for preferential treatment.
So, my view is the opposite of yours. Gary and other resellers fulfill a market need and, in doing so, make the market more accessible. In turn, that brings more money into the scene, and that benefits us all in the long run—unless you want to buy a TOTAN :)

Finally, back to Gary: across hobbies, buyers can be a pain—flaky, haggling, or unprepared. Gary wasn’t any of that. Perhaps he stole my kittens’ wool ball when I wasn’t looking. They have been mewling a lot. Maybe he's not a good reseller, but if so, the market decides.

I rest my case, your honor. I await your rebuttal. However, even I'm getting bored with the sound of my own voice, and I'm pretty sure no one made it this far down.
Click to expand...
Gary……..is that you……..
 
johnh said:
I feel like I'm Derrick O'Conner, checking to see if I'm standing on a sheet of plastic :)

In the spirit of a friendly Christmas debate (I’m a lover, not a fighter), I’m not buying your argument.

TLDR—The argument that the community shouldn't sell to resellers doesn't hold water. No community has a right to restrict supply or to keep prices artificially low to its benefit.

Still here? Strap in.

Let’s set Gary aside and focus on what feels like the core of your point—one echoed by Alpha1 and Will (Although, as we all know, Alpha1 is new to the scene and knows nothing about collecting arcade classics, and Will, with the South Coast Pinball Mafia, promised to do another slam, so clearly, his word means nothing*).
*For the avoidance of doubt, both of these statements are entirely tongue-in-cheek.

Your argument seems to be: passionate collectors shouldn't sell to known resellers because a) resellers add no value, b) it deprives the community, and c) it drives up prices. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I disagree and, with respect, find this perspective both myopic and entitled for the following reasons:
  1. Resellers add value: If they didn’t, they wouldn’t exist. Many buyers prefer dealing with businesses for convenience, advice, warranties, and recourse. Like in the car market, some buy from dealers even if it costs more. Value is subjective.
  2. Margins are fair: Resellers need margins to sustain their services. High markups may seem unfair, but the market decides. If buyers think the price isn’t worth it, they’ll go elsewhere. It’s not up to the community to dictate others’choices.
  3. They’re not ripping people off: Resellers fulfill a market need. Buyers who care about resale value usually research beforehand. Depreciation exists—it’s not a rip-off, just reality.
  4. Collecting community entitlement: Rare items becoming pricier isn’t solely due to resellers—it’s supply, demand, and trends like COVID. If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. The community isn't entitled to special pricing or control over who enters the hobby.
  5. Resellers don’t ruin circulation: Free-market dynamics ensure items move through various channels—collectors, resellers, forums, etc. Everyone buys and sells at prices that reflect their own interpretation of value.
  6. eBay prices: Unrealistic listings don't sell. If they do, the market has spoken. Again - If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. Complaining about price increases boils down to wishing for preferential treatment.
So, my view is the opposite of yours. Gary and other resellers fulfill a market need and, in doing so, make the market more accessible. In turn, that brings more money into the scene, and that benefits us all in the long run—unless you want to buy a TOTAN :)

Finally, back to Gary: across hobbies, buyers can be a pain—flaky, haggling, or unprepared. Gary wasn’t any of that. Perhaps he stole my kittens’ wool ball when I wasn’t looking. They have been mewling a lot. Maybe he's not a good reseller, but if so, the market decides.

I rest my case, your honor. I await your rebuttal. However, even I'm getting bored with the sound of my own voice, and I'm pretty sure no one made it this far down.
Click to expand...
John I would sell my games to Satan himself if I got a better price , no judgement here mate
 
johnh said:
I feel like I'm Derrick O'Conner, checking to see if I'm standing on a sheet of plastic :)

In the spirit of a friendly Christmas debate (I’m a lover, not a fighter), I’m not buying your argument.

TLDR—The argument that the community shouldn't sell to resellers doesn't hold water. No community has a right to restrict supply or to keep prices artificially low to its benefit.

Still here? Strap in.

Let’s set Gary aside and focus on what feels like the core of your point—one echoed by Alpha1 and Will (Although, as we all know, Alpha1 is new to the scene and knows nothing about collecting arcade classics, and Will, with the South Coast Pinball Mafia, promised to do another slam, so clearly, his word means nothing*).
*For the avoidance of doubt, both of these statements are entirely tongue-in-cheek.

Your argument seems to be: passionate collectors shouldn't sell to known resellers because a) resellers add no value, b) it deprives the community, and c) it drives up prices. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I disagree and, with respect, find this perspective both myopic and entitled for the following reasons:
  1. Resellers add value: If they didn’t, they wouldn’t exist. Many buyers prefer dealing with businesses for convenience, advice, warranties, and recourse. Like in the car market, some buy from dealers even if it costs more. Value is subjective.
  2. Margins are fair: Resellers need margins to sustain their services. High markups may seem unfair, but the market decides. If buyers think the price isn’t worth it, they’ll go elsewhere. It’s not up to the community to dictate others’choices.
  3. They’re not ripping people off: Resellers fulfill a market need. Buyers who care about resale value usually research beforehand. Depreciation exists—it’s not a rip-off, just reality.
  4. Collecting community entitlement: Rare items becoming pricier isn’t solely due to resellers—it’s supply, demand, and trends like COVID. If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. The community isn't entitled to special pricing or control over who enters the hobby.
  5. Resellers don’t ruin circulation: Free-market dynamics ensure items move through various channels—collectors, resellers, forums, etc. Everyone buys and sells at prices that reflect their own interpretation of value.
  6. eBay prices: Unrealistic listings don't sell. If they do, the market has spoken. Again - If someone buys a pin for $10k, that's the market speaking. Complaining about price increases boils down to wishing for preferential treatment.
So, my view is the opposite of yours. Gary and other resellers fulfill a market need and, in doing so, make the market more accessible. In turn, that brings more money into the scene, and that benefits us all in the long run—unless you want to buy a TOTAN :)

Finally, back to Gary: across hobbies, buyers can be a pain—flaky, haggling, or unprepared. Gary wasn’t any of that. Perhaps he stole my kittens’ wool ball when I wasn’t looking. They have been mewling a lot. Maybe he's not a good reseller, but if so, the market decides.

I rest my case, your honor. I await your rebuttal. However, even I'm getting bored with the sound of my own voice, and I'm pretty sure no one made it this far down.
Click to expand...
I am in the coin op trade. I have bought and sold machines with a profit. If I buy low - I will sell low. Generally I try and sell things under what they are worth, unless I do not have any margin. On occasions I have sold at a loss as well.

I have a saying in life. Ttwo people behind closed doors can do what they want to each other, as long as they are both consenting and it does not involve kids or animals. I give no F..s. Same with people buying and selling pins.

I recently sold two jukeboxes to Peter Hardman up in Lytham. He has been banned. Like me Peter runs a workshop, and he has a member of staff now. He has to pay bills. He drives all over the shop buying pins and jukes, and yes he makes a profit from it. I have seen them advertised since, for a profit and I do not care. He gave me what we discussed and bargained. Big deal. Retro David, Phil Palmer, Chris B, Steve Pagget myself and many others try and make a profit as it is our living.

By the sound of it nobody here has been forced into a deal.
 
Profiting is fine.
Profiteering is a bit s**tty.
Of the people you mention, I've only seen Steve (maybe I missed the others) put pins on Ebay at £0.99 start and let the auction run. You don't see many people doing that lately 😆.


Anyway, Good luck in your future endeavours, I wish all of the businesses you mention (some of which I use a lot) the best of luck. :thumbs:
 
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