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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/26/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Chicago
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Hi,
I just joined the forum. Anyway I live in aurora just west of chicago and was wondering if anyone knows of some good places to go for pinball sales. I have just finished my basement with bar, pooltable, 73" mits and now I need a pinball machine.
Thanks
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 12/8/2007
Posts: 164
Location: Middle o' Oregon
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darimont wrote:Hi,
I just joined the forum. Anyway I live in aurora just west of chicago and was wondering if anyone knows of some good places to go for pinball sales. I have just finished my basement with bar, pooltable, 73" mits and now I need a pinball machine some pinball machines.
Thanks that's better. 
"Knowledge is Good." - Emil Faber
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/26/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Chicago
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Thats the plan, but the wife factor says one for now.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/17/2008
Posts: 20
Location: Chicagoland
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Chicago is the pinball capital of the world. If you can't find a pinball machine around here for sale, you're not going to find one. What game(s) are you looking for? Every fall they have the International Pinball Exposition here in the Chicago area. All the major vendors plus lots of machines for sale from individuals too. This year it is at the Westin in Buffalo Grove.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/25/2009
Posts: 2
Location: St. Louis
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What are you looking for new or used? Is there a certain one your interested in? Last but not least what price range are you looking around? I can help you if you can tell me those things.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/15/2009
Posts: 2
Location: Camden, TN
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Good luck in your search. When I'm up that way I never saw any places. Bet my Old Chicago machine would be popular up there tho. 
Jeff, Old Chicago table
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/15/2009
Posts: 1
Location: Aurora,IL
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Hello Darimont!! I too just signed up here at Pinball Post.I am in the same situation as you Im looking for my first pinball as a gift for my Father.I also live in Aurora so yeah we have alot in common.I have put some ad's up on craigslist and have about 5 machines being offerd to me by 3 different people.The price range I'm trying to keep is under $500 so most are the older ones EM but really thats kinda the style I believe my Father would like better.My thoughts of styles are Bowling,Baseball,Cards,Fishing,or old retro stuff like Harlem Globetrotters or Incredible Hulk.I am considering really between these two Hot Line(Fishing Themed) that is in good condition $500 or Hot Hand (Cards) by Stern $400.I am also planning on taking my 10 year old to a Pinball event in Kalamazoo this weekend called Pinball at the ZOO.I think its $20 to get in an all the machines that people are selling are set on Free play and you can bid on each that you can play.They also have a tournament but I dont think I'm good enuff to enter.I consider myself to be a below average player.But yeah if you wanna say hello the best bet would be to give me a message at myspace or yahoo mail www.myspace.com/lyo1984 or email lyo.1984@yahoo.com my name is Matt.Hope to hear from you and good luck!!!!
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Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/17/2008
Posts: 20
Location: Chicagoland
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One thing to remember is that while you can get a decent machine for less than $500, most in that price range are in need of at least some work. Now repairing pinball machines is not rocket-science but you do need at least some electrical/mechanical aptitude and experience. Some problems can be challenging. All pins need continuous maintenance to keep them in top playing shape. Even when they were new they needed continuous maintenance. They are fun to work on but can also be frustrating. Don't buy one thinking you're just going to plug & play and maybe only have to change a few light bulbs and rubber bands periodically. Stuff breaks on these older machines. The bottom-line is that sometimes it's worth paying a little extra not to end-up with a complete basket-case. It's always good to know exactly what you are getting into. A lot of times the cheap machines you see for sale are from people who can't work on them or ones that have been butchered. It's always good to have someone who knows pins to look at it with you before buying if you have that luxury. Some machines are easier to get parts for than others. I like the early solid state machines. They made a lot of them and there are a lot of parts available. They are also pretty-easy to work on. Harlem Globetrotters is a great game. So is Hot Hand. I don't really care for The Incredible Hulk but it's a good-looking game.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/5/2010
Posts: 1
Location: Chicago
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Tons of guys in Chicago that wipe down machines and charge wayyy too much. There's a guy who's name rhymes with Bike Mogle that thinks when he touches machines there worth on average of a 1000.00 dollars more than comparable machines. There are also people like the guy in St.Charles who lists his machines for one to two thousand more than market price. The machines I've bought always seem to come from out of state. Lots of overpriced junk on craigslist too. Beware of the guy in Rock Island,he somehow has 10 or so HUO at all times and places alot of false HUO on ebay.
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