Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (
More info?)
Jeff,
Absolutely!!! You were a fanstastic source of knowledge and
encouragement to "take the plunge" in that FH deal. Back in late 2002,
paying $3k (plus shipping and crating costs) was still considered an
almost unheard of price for that pin. Most FH's in decent/acceptable
condition were still in the $1,800-$2,200 range with better ones
fetching prices in the $2,200-$2,800 range. I'll admit I thought I was
crazy to pay as much as I did, even if it was the best FH I had ever
seen. You definitely helped me get over my "buyer's remorse" very
quickly. Today, just 2 1/2 years later, it is not uncommon to see FH's
sell for much more than $3k. I still think the FH that TreasureCove
sold through Ebay (topping $5k) was the turning point. That broke new
ground and prices have been skyrocketing ever since (for examples in
top condition). I still have a hard time believing the $9.5k that
Grover recently got for his. That thing must be unbelievable, but that
price is pretty unbelievable as well. Yikes!!! While I paid a lot for
mine at the time, it certainly seems like a "bargain" today. It is a
super nice example (bright cab colors, clearcoated pf, no broken
plastics, etc.) and I'm so happy to have it in my collection.
I will also give you lots of credit (or blame from my wife's
prospective) for feeding my pin fremzy in the last couple of years.
Your detailed analysis on each game was always right on the mark. I
still have several of the emails you sent me describing why you liked
(or loathed) certain titles. I have also checked out your website to
see your pin lineup and have always been impressed with the quality and
quantity of your machines (with just a couple exceptions...not a big
fan of AP...although I know you no longer have that one). : )
Once I purchased the FH, I was "off to the races". As I mentioned, in
the past 2 1/2 years I've purchased a total of 10 pins. I already had
a TAF, added the FH, and then proceeded to acquire the following: TSPP,
WW, Centaur, TZ, Shadow, AFM, CFTBL, Whirlwind and NGG. I resold the
TAF (was my only pin for 5 years and I got bored with it) and Centaur
(very cool, but a bit too "old school" and simplistic for my liking),
but still have a lineup of the 9 others I mentioned. I think our
tastes in pins are very similar and I thank you for your guidance.
That's what's great about RGP...good people sharing lots of valuable
info that eventually turns relative newbies into experienced
collectors.
Ted