Yet another - Model B BEFORE and AFTER

[CarlW]

This machine is pretty clean to begin with... which makes a big difference!

Before Center Feature.jpg After Center Feature.jpg

Before Playfield.jpg AFTER Playfield.jpg

DSC02597.jpgMost pieces cleaned.jpgDSC02595.jpg

And here is a link to a video (Max ALWAYS wants video!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buFeCpefk-M

[Microbus99]

Hi Carl,

When you do your refurbs, do you polish the complete nail or just the heads. Has that made a difference or not in your opinion as to the results of the restore overall and/or raised comments from your buyers?

I find polishing the complete nail an extreme pain in the "you know what". For a personal machine I think I would prefer a completely polished playfield but I'm growing weary of going so far for a machine I might sell.

Since you've been successful so far, I'm curious as to your take on how far to go. If I replace a playfield I have no problem sitting in front of the TV and polishing a pile of nails but with machines with fair playfield art, I'm not sure its worth the time (something I dont have at all as a traveler).

[CarlW]

Hi Carl,

When you do your refurbs, do you polish the complete nail or just the heads. Has that made a difference or not in your opinion as to the results of the restore overall and/or raised comments from your buyers?

I find polishing the complete nail an extreme pain in the "you know what". For a personal machine I think I would prefer a completely polished playfield but I'm growing weary of going so far for a machine I might sell.

Since you've been successful so far, I'm curious as to your take on how far to go. If I replace a playfield I have no problem sitting in front of the TV and polishing a pile of nails but with machines with fair playfield art, I'm not sure its worth the time (something I dont have at all as a traveler).

I'm with you on polishing the entire nail for a playfield replacement or a personal machine. What's the point if there is noticable water damage and chrome pitting?

One thing I learned this year is that selling pachinko machines is more about timing than my efforts. Should just wait and start selling all of them the week before Thanksgiving. Another lesson learned is that the US general public loves vintage NISHIJIN; I think because the machines say "Super Deluxe"...

[cardwwi]

Great looking machine, job well done. Another good time to sell Pachinkos is at the end of January through February, when people start getting there tax refund checks.

[JACKSJE4]

@CarlW and cardwii:

Do you guys sell on eBay exclusively, or do you also use Craigslist? I'm curious if you have noticed better times than others to sell on CL. I only sell my refurbished machines on CL and find that they sell within a week or two after I list them regardless of the time of year. Maybe it's just the market I'm in, but I thought I would see if you noticed the same results.

Jeff

[mxfaiman]

And here is a link to a video (Max ALWAYS wants video!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buFeCpefk-M

Yes videos are always nice.

@CarlW and cardwii:

Do you guys sell on eBay exclusively, or do you also use Craigslist? I'm curious if you have noticed better times than others to sell on CL. I only sell my refurbished machines on CL and find that they sell within a week or two after I list them regardless of the time of year. Maybe it's just the market I'm in, but I thought I would see if you noticed the same results.

Jeff

Jeff I think it has to do with where you are located. Because if I try to sell a machine on CL around here it will sit for a long time because people around here aren't really looking for things like that. Plus there are too many that flood the market that are over priced. So I find ebay better. (even though they have their dumb fees)

[Rival]

Polishing nails is the easiest part of the restoration. They go into the polisher with a few teaspoons of Brasso and two cups of crushed walnut shells. They come out 48 hours later looking like they were made of gold.

[mxfaiman]

Polishing nails is the easiest part of the restoration. They go into the polisher with a few teaspoons of Brasso and two cups of crushed walnut shells. They come out 48 hours later looking like they were made of gold.

That can only be done when you pull them all out. And if you do that you mine-as-well replace the cell. which defeats the purpose of a quick turn around time.

[CarlW]

@CarlW and cardwii:

Do you guys sell on eBay exclusively, or do you also use Craigslist? I'm curious if you have noticed better times than others to sell on CL. I only sell my refurbished machines on CL and find that they sell within a week or two after I list them regardless of the time of year. Maybe it's just the market I'm in, but I thought I would see if you noticed the same results.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I have been using eBay, PachinkoPlanet and in person, have not tried to sell on Craig's List. What kind of price can you get in your area? Use this model B as a theoretical example?

Yesterday, a guy from Chicago (heard about me from a mutual friend) bought this one for $380. I thought that was GREAT but he was looking for something for this Christmas. The buyer actually made the offer and I accepted.

[JACKSJE4]

What kind of price can you get in your area?

First, keep in mind that I sell reconditioned machines, not restored. In my definition, a "reconditioned" machine is full disassembly and cleaning of everything mechanical, and the machine is cleaned up and works like new when complete. I also include 500 balls and a six month warranty on any work I perform. I do not replace the cell or touch up paints. In my view, that is a "restoration" and includes a significant additional time commitment.

So, for a fully reconditioned machine that came from my personal inventory, I typically get between $250 and $350 on my local craigslist (depending on theme, colors, etc), and there are no seller fees to pay. As I mentioned previously, most of my machines sell within 2-3 weeks. I have been considering selling on eBay, but I fear that I will end up getting less money for my work (between final auction price and seller fees), so I have been very hesitant to go that route. I may try eBay with an unreconditioned machine just to test the waters and see what my results are.

Any advice for selling Pachinko's on eBay???

[mxfaiman]

Any advice for selling Pachinko's on eBay???

Not much I have to share but I have noticed the way you format your description is pretty significant. And the way you take pictures.

[Rival]

Christmas season was pretty phenomenal for me, I blew out nearly every machine I had on my website. Theres no telling how many more I could have moved if I had more inventory, but full restores take so darned long to do it's hard to keep many in stock. I noticed several full restores with new backgrounds on ebay going for the $450.00 range, which is right where I am for common machines fully restored with new backgrounds. I just don't want to pay ebay fees.

I think it is hard sometimes to separate our inner collector from our outer restoration specialist. Sure, as hobbyists we tend to see machines as having low values because we can often find deals. But from a retail standpoint, there are plenty of people willing to shell out large amounts for a meticulously restored machine with superior chrome, replaced playfields, and flawless performance. There are just are not many machines out there that fit the bill, and there probably never will be. $400.00 + for a machine with decent chrome, mildly yellowed and lightly waterstained playfields is unlikely in most cases. But there is no way to charge less when you have 60+ hours and $100-$200 sunk into it, and there are buyers who recognize this.

Reconditioned machines with superior looks probably should hit in the $200-$300 range for common machines. I imagine craigslist would only work in certain high population areas of affluence, such as SoCal. You are not going to sell many in Cleveland I would guess.

[Moparformances]

Any advice for selling Pachinko's on eBay???

I had great luck with a Vid of the actual machine being Played.. there is a huge differance between saying its a compleat machine and working, and seeing it actualy working...

If ya dont have to sell on fee-bay then dont... but if your having trouble shifting your machines then give it a try... theres also www.Etsy.com as a point of sell.. there fees are way less..