In the $2000 plus price range you will see the best titles from the hey day of pinball. Used Bally Williams pinball machines along with new Stern pinball machines are in this category.
The most collectible Bally Williams titles from the 1990s are in this category. Addam's Family, Indiana Jones, Twilight Zone, Medievel Madness, are many of the titles you'll see here. Don't let the title cloud your judgment, even highly collectible titles should be in very good condition for this price. Avoid faded cabinets, dodgy
reimports, or any playfield wear.
A new pinball machine does have that new pinball machine smell. Seriously. It's never been on location, doesn't smell of smoke (neither should a used pinball machine in this price category), and has no playfield wear. Compare the decision to buying a new or used car.
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If you are going to drop over $2000 on a pinball machine, you should view the machine in person. Apart from that, you should request lots of detailed pictures from multiple angles. It's amazing what a good angle and lighting can hide (playfield wear, cabinet fade, etc). Be smart.