Looking for arcade purchasing tips.

[econoemu]

Hi everyone! I am currently looking for tips on finding and purchasing an arcade cabinet, notably a Neo Geo MVS(4 or 6 slot).

So far what I've been doing is searching on google and checking Craigslist for arcade cabinets in my area and that isn't netting me much for a "reasonable price" or a non sketchy links. Most of the finds are retailers that want to charge upwards of 2k for this specific search (what I've read, 700 is a decent price to pick one up, this could and most likely is wrong as it was posts from around a year ago).

Any tips to help me in my search would be greatly appreciated! Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place.

[Kidpanda]

Lately the price of cabs in general have gone up, most people think their trash is worth gold. Just keep a lookout, and have fun falling down the rabbit hole.

[KalessinDB]

Yeah, patience. My buddy paid $800 for a Goldie because he was impatient. I got a 4 slot big red for $420 at an arcade auction, and of the 3 that sold mine was the most expensive (IMO because it was the nicest)

Wish they would have another one of those auctions... It was nice.

[econoemu]

I figured time was the biggest key. I look forward to the day when I have an MVS and a Splatterhouse cab sitting in my living room. If I gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big!

[fastbilly1]

Craigslist or forums. Auctions use to be the best way to buy cabs - a decade ago you could still get big reds for around $100, but times have changed. The last coin op auction I went to a one slot neogeo went for over 1k and a two seat Fast and the Furious went for 5k (I had seen them for 4k at retail at the time).

If you can get a big red with a good monitor, everything else can be swapped out for cheap enough, if you are willing to piecemeal it over time. The last big red I had (which Ack has now), I had to swap out the speakers, mainboard*, and one of the ics for the credit counter. Not hard work, just time consuming.

*that board had an error code that at the time was considered unfixable. Even after doing all the fixes people suggested, I had to get a new board.

[Dakinggamer87]

I got mine via Craigslist so patience is definitely part of the equation and watch out for the good deals. I paid about $500 for mine which included two games as well.

[econoemu]

Thanks everyone for the input! I'm in no hurry, the hunt is the best part I think.

[aaron]

i know of a six slot for sale in Indianapolis, actually.

[econoemu]

i know of a six slot for sale in Indianapolis, actually.

Oh? While that might be one heck of a road trip about(8hrs one way), you have peeked my interest friend.