Inviting price-police -and all others! Setting prices on used games...

[Chambahz]

I'd like to start an open discussion on opinions surrounding prices when re-selling a pin.
You're welcome to comment on any era/game/example etc, but typically I am involved in buying NIB, then selling them as HUO. In some cases, within a month. In others, a year or more. (Though usually the former more than the latter!)
With that in mind, what are opinions on how to determine pricing?
My opinion is current NIB price (based on current exchange rate), - an amount for opening the box. Typically, if the game is super-hot and in-demand, that opening the box amount may be as low as $500, but any less, and a new buyer will usually purchase NIB instead. So maybe that number moves to $700, or $1000, or whatever. That's what I'm curious about.

Secondly, has anyone else tried calling Starburst for the current price on a NIB Premium? I was pretty surprised when I did the math the other day and added in tax. As always, prices seem to be on the rise. Partially Stern, partially Cineplex perhaps?

Anyway, all opinions are welcome. Curious to get this conversation going in a positive manner, instead of having to tell anyone to eat a dick!

 

[meegis]

It's a really sensitive topic for some, and really depends on how the buy/seller approach the hobby and how the current market is being reflected at.

Comparing prices with USD is something a lot of people do, but I find it a misnomer simply due to fluctuation in our dollar. Games have gone up respectfully in both markets, but have they really gone up that 15-30% that some people tack on.

Ultimately, it's a buyer and sellers agreement, so it's not a black and white discussion.

One thing I do not enjoy is when a Canadian seller has a game from time gone by (whether a few months or many years) and they do the USD conversion and then ON TOP say "if you go to the us, you'll also add tax". While this may hold truth, the reality is you are buying local, likely with cash, and tax is a moot point. Unless the seller is remitting it as an income, this should not even be considered.


I could type forever, but as mentioned, it really comes down to buyer/seller and timing.


Let's also not forget that some people buy and sell with emotion. But that's a whole other can of worms I don't want to touch.

 

[DRANO]

Some people will even price a game based on the next machine they want to buy!
"So, my game is worth XXX because the 'replacement value' on the game I want to buy is XXX."

What's up with that? In any case, this hobby seems to be made up of a multitude of economic geniuses

I wouldn't even bother trying to make sense of it Drew.

My motto is pay market value and sell at market value. The only way to assess that is to look at comparable sales and adjust as necessary.

 

[luch]

It comes down to buyer and seller and that's it .

 

[Honey Badger]

Every pinball is worth something different to everyone. If I really want a game it's most likely worth more to me than somebody else so I will pay more. And yeah people who use the "replacement value" theory when selling a game can eat a dick!

 

[spiroagnew]

I price my games fairly, with regard to what I paid for them or have into them, and for the most part, respect handshake deals regarding buy-backs and dibs. When I take a game to a show for public sale, only then are all bets off. I've adhered to this policy so much so, I've only had to sell one game publicly on the forums (and never on kijiji)--they've been snapped up by friends/colleagues before they ever had to have a description written about them. Im not looking for a medal or a pat on the back...that is just my philosophy. I'll personally not price police someone else's game on the forums...even if I think the price is absurd. Im a firm believer in pinball karma--it puts the profiteers in their place, and they'll get theirs in the end.

If you'll observe the sarcasm, I absolutely adore those members who salivate over the discussion about pricing and value (they know who they are, and they will pile on this thread no doubt). The OP is NOT one of these people--we all know he's been on the receiving end, many times and without it being warranted, of the price polices' pompus pontifications. If these price blowhards would just do what has been famously suggested by the OP, they'd be so busy with their mouths full they wouldn't have time to constantly enlighten the masses about their opinions on the "upward market trends". Maybe it's good this thread was created. It can be a playground for the Wall Street pinball speculators.

Regardless, this will be a thread I'll follow. It seems this type of discussion rears it's ugly head with big swings in the Canadian-US dollar exchange rate.

 

[tkaye]

There's different prices for different buyers. Collectors or show attendees we have no relationship with...factors are variable dependent on the situation. I completed agree with you Rob and Adriano. Drew, I have never dealt with you personally but you certainly buy and sell your share and what's good for you obviously works fine so don't fix what ain't broke. There will always be exceptions and we should always expect the unexpected.
That's pinball baby...

 

[DRANO]

Just reading back to the original question and how it relates to NIB. I think that question is just as confusing as with any other type of machine.

I've only owned two NIB so far. A Tron and an XMLE. I think I paid almost $5K for the Tron and close to $8K for the Wolverine. Obviously the Tron has increased greatly in value while the XMLE has actually dropped. The idea of simply dropping the NIB price by $500 and selling them as recently opened HUO examples would not have made sense for either of these machines. One suffered from a horrible release and immediately plummeted while the other was sought after almost immediately after stern stopped making them.


The one practice that does drive me nuts is people wanting to get every penny out of their mods... right down to the shipping and HST.

My Tron, for example, has an Eli ramp kit, arcade mod and Flynn sign. I'd certainly add a few bucks to cover those because almost every Tron owner out there would add these. They are nearly universally desired mods. But the few LED upgrades, animated backbox lighting, black mirror blades and various other little things I added for my own fun and satisfaction do NOT necessarily add value to the next guy. That, to me, is one of the biggest factors in rising used game pricing.

We all know the exorbitant pricing on pinball parts... and especially mods. Just because you felt like putting $200 stickers along the inside walls of your cabinets or you spent $400 on an LED kit, doesn't mean that title is now worth $600 more than your original purchase price. Now, if you upgraded the displays to Xpin or did some needed preventative board work or ground mods on an older machine, now THAT'S worth something! I can apply my own stickers thank you very much

 

[maken]

Hard to make a call on NIB depreciation these days with Stern, the playfield could be a giant turd which will impact re-sale value.

After only ~50 plays, inserts might be cloudy/crazed/ghosted, shooter lane is probably already a mess, magnet dimples seem to be a new and very ugly thing, etc.

 

[EvanDickson]

I usually look at the completed classified ads on Pinside, and look for ones that list the final selling price, and try and figure things from there, +/- the price depending on condition of the machine I'm looking at selling (or buying). If there's not enough historical ads, I look at current ads and figure most get negotiated down by about 10%.

This would probably not be easy if you're selling 1 month old HUO games. I can't imagine being in that situation, but I figure I discount it 10%-20% from the all-in buying price (price + taxes, but not shipping) and that would be the selling price. I also figure mods would be worth about 0 to prospective buyers based on the fact that is how much they would be worth to me. NIB market is all guesswork for me though.

 

[DRANO]

I wouldn't expect a huge drop in price for a 1 month old game. I'd be happy to save the tax in most cases.

I think 'some' mods may add value, but not others. That's a personal thing. If someone put sliding playfield supports on a Stern pro instead of those dumb pegs, I'd be overjoyed. Same for plastic protectors and most Cliffys products... and let's not forget ColorDMDs

The good thing about mods is that they can usually be removed and sold separately if the buyer doesn't want or appreciate them.

 

[Blackwall]

Some realy think they have a golden mine and that, even in a trade. Funny thing is I met some owner that our deal fell through and they still got their pin waiting For them to found the next deal that they might make a 100$ more 1 years later. Its the same in real estate. Wait and you might lose, or maybe not.