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I just started to get interested in slots machine with in the last year. I have been trying to become familiar with price/value of the different types of slot machines. One thing that seems to be the case, asking prices on the east coast seem to be less than the west coast and California in particular. Is that just that the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, or are their significant regional differences in prices? Spring is just about here (here in Northern California we really, haven't had a winter, east coast not so). I am starting to see more slots and more reasonably priced machines for sale? Since I haven't been through an entire year is that the case? Of course if you are mostly a buyer or seller could shape how you see things.

thanks, lambow

One of the effects that occurs here in the midwest is that after November to March the antique business slows down. This is due to the fact that the holidays are upon us...thanksgiving Xmas etc so the source of fresh merchandise drys up as people prepare for the holidays. Also during the winter months people are heading south to the warmer climates this is true of the dealers too. And garage sales are non existent because of the weather. And then there is the fact that the death rate goes up after the holidays. So that means the estate sales and calls to dealers start to roll in with people settling the deceased 's estate. As far as prices go I felt that the fact that the midwest and northern east coast had a larger population then the west and southern states it would seem logical that there would be more items available in the populated states. Thus making things cheaper. Before ebay the dealers from the coasts use to flock to the midwest shows to buy. By the way I was texted a picture of a mills qt today that is at an estate sale. So a new season starts!

Hello Lambow,
I too am in Northern California and have been collecting and restoring for 35 years and of course have watched prices increase tremendously during the early years of collecting, or when I first started watching, between 1974 and 1989, or there abouts, during what I consider to be the "heyday" when prices rose pretty fast. then tapered off and still climbed steadily but at a slower pace until the economy started to decline in about 2008.
I find that now, at least in my opinion, that the value has kind of leveled off with slight seasonal value fluctuation depending on season and location as the previous gentleman mentioned.
There are always those that will "troll" with a very overly high priced machine waiting for the unknowing customer but in my opinion that does not determine average value as those do not usually sell fast and lay there for quite a while, see a lot of those on Ebay.
I watch the auctions to kind of determine value, even Ebay is a good gauge depending on slot machines being sold, you have to be able to carefully judge what you are looking at in the pictures to determine all original, mostly original and the reproductions, of which unfortunately I have seen many.
When someone brings me a slot machine to work on and asks me the value I hate to tell them that they have a complete, other than mech parts, reproduction and that the value is very low but occasionally I see a very clean and nice old original with a light patina showing age but very well maintained for the years which of course brings a higher value and will maintain value over the years.
At any rate, as we are both in the same area, give me a shout out and possibly I can help you out as from time to time with my connections I run into fairly reasonable and nicely kept original slot machines!
Ciao,
Monti

Billzap you bring up some points I hadn't consider. Garage sales and Estate Sales do tend to happen in the spring

Monti are you still in Quncy, CA (I think I saw an ad of yours somewhere), I used to go up there to Bucks Lake to a Boy Scout Camp many many years ago, Is it still there? I live in Vacaville, CA

Monti are you still in Quncy, CA (I think I saw an ad of yours somewhere), I used to go up there to Bucks Lake to a Boy Scout Camp many many years ago, Is it still there? I live in Vacaville, CA[/quote]

Yes, I am still in Quincy, moved here from Tahoe in 2001, had to get away from all the traffic there!
I have ads scattered around, do some stuff on Ebay but not on complete slot machines cuz with their percentage in order to make ends meet I have to start my machines out higher than what I think is accurate and reasonable pricing to compensate for what Ebay and PayPal take not including adding shipping.
I always try to be as fair as possible with my sales and restoration fee's, kinda "old school" that way!
Do a lot of word of mouth cuz one happy customer will get you two, if you know what I mean.
Don't think the Boy Scout camp is still there but they do bring groups up to Buck's Lake once and a while and Oakland Camp for kids is still located down by Quincy off of Chandler Road.
I have a daughter who lives in Rocklin so people who have machines to work on from Central California, Stockton, Modesto, Etc. and Northern California will bring me machines while I am there and then meet me there when they are done to pick them up as Quincy is kind of out in the sticks but I am an hour and fifteen minutes from Reno/Sparks so I get work from there also.
Nice little retirement business for an old fart like me.
Ciao,
Monti

Hi Monti:
I am definitely part of the "Old Farts - Old School" clan as well. Been at it since leaving my teens, into my 20's.
Being as most coin machine collectors were non-exsistant at that time in California, (and were illegal to boot),
most of my work came in from all 48's. Mostly 3 reelers, to Victorian Uprights, and many other various large
machines. My main hauler for many years, was Gene Sandberg, whom several collectors used. His rates were
good, and most machines were shipped 'blanket-wrapped', and rarely anything was damaged. That service has
become history now, since shipping rates have soared out of the universe. Only trade stimulators, and the like,
are sent to me now-a-days.
I am not sure if I have you in my files, and don't know what to look under. My files still date all the way back
to the beginning, so you might be there. If you would care to chat 'old times', send me your number, to my
e-mail at (slotdynasty@sbcglobal.net). If you have any potential customers, that are too far south to travel to
your location, you can send them to me, and I will likewise send people to you that are too far north for me.
Maybe something will work out in the future.
Bill

Howdy Bill,
I worked in the casino's of Northern Nevada in the 60's and 70's, primarily the Sahara Tahoe, Barney's and the South Tahoe Nugget, all casino's which have been long gone.
Very interesting time to work in the casino's, I've been told I could write a book, but that's another story!
Didn't get into collecting and restoring slots until the early 80's and with my background in the casino's it came easy to me.
Talking about the "Old Days" unfortunately us old guys are dying off so a lot of the folks I originally communicated with are gone.
The name Gene Sandburg is familiar from when a gentleman in So. Cal bought a couple machines from me, a Caille Big Six and a Sun Chief Floor Console at two different times and someone in a pickup came and got them.
Yeh, I'll send you a personal email later today and my direct email is montislots@thegrid.net for your file.
I enjoy talking to the guys who have been around a while as our paths usually crossed somewhere or somehow.
I do get calls and emails from folks in your area and have been looking for an "old school" slot mech to refer them to, we'll talk!
Bona Fortuna,
Monti