Topic: Newbie needs help on Tornado - likely t2000 coin op Cherry wood

[Denverericj]

I know there are a ton of posts and stickies on this and I have read all of them including BBtuna's excellent overview on Tornado tables.  This is listed for 650 on denver craigslist.  I have a meeting to see it tomorrow.  The owner has sent a few emails and seems very nice.  That said, if you look at the pic, they deal in arcade items so they likely know their stuff.  She sent a separate  pic that looks like it is in very clean condition.

http://denver.craigslist.org/tag/4220378550.html



It looks like a Cherry T2000.  I do want a coin op for the playability and possible resale if needed.

All help and input appreciated.

Thanks, Eric J

[Denverericj]

Any thoughts?  If this is in very good condition, thoughts on value?  Is this the light green top vs very fast dark green?

Thanks, Eric.

[kgstewar]

Yes, that's a "cherry" coin-op. Good table, I'd offer $450 and maybe settle for 500-ish.

[Denverericj]

I spoke to the owner.  Very nice guy.  He is a vendor for gaming machines.  He maintains/refurbs them and replaces them with new ones at bars/restaurants which is why he is selling this one.  He is firm on price as these sell almost immediately.  He does make sure they are in good shape prior to selling them.  He sold 6 of the 7 he has in the last two days for full price. 4 Brown marbles for 450 and two cherry for 650.  I asked that he keep my info for any of the future 450$ tables.   Ughhh. I really wanted one for the holidays but guess I should be patient.

[Denverericj]

Went and looked at one of these.  Rock solid.  Some chips in side veneer but tabletop in great shape.  Coin op.  No warping or delaminating. Rods straight, men in good shape.  Like others in the forum that have posted similar questions, just not many coin ops around so I don't feel comfortable with waiting for a great craigslist find. They sell immediately and looking at historical posts, not many sold in denver.   So, I put a down payment on it at the 650.  Assuming it cleans up nicely (I get to look at it when he is done getting it ready) the seller is delivering it and helping me set it up which is a nice perk.

One curveball, I did find a tornado Sport for $225 in mint condition.  Still, not a coin op.  Tell me to hold the line with my decision on the coin op! Thanks

[Denverericj]

Still waiting to see the finished product.  If good, done deal.  If not, need something before the holidays.  There is a shelti 200 for 200$ in great shape.  I realize it is not commercial grade but looks pretty decent.  Thoughts on that from the experienced members or hold out for a coin op tornado?  Please provide some input! Thanks

[alaskan thunder]

Hard for me to believe that he sold multiple cherry coin-ops for $650. I would wait for a better deal personally but if you need a table before the holidays and they are rare, maybe its worth $250 extra for you to go ahead and pay a premium...

[Denverericj]

Unfortunately, I think it is an issue of timing/surge in demand.  He had the other two cherry woods and a gray marble getting ready for delivery.  He got the full 650 for the two cherrywood.  I don't know about the gray but it was also sold with a deposit.  I did talk to two other denver arcade vendors who were very willing to give me advice.  Neither had any in inventory and none coming up. The one guy said they sell the used ones in good shape for 1095$ as fast as he puts them up and new 3000s for 1795$.  The other guy agreed with Alaskan Thunder that you can find them for 450 but that is very rare.  He sees that only a couple times a year here.  He said they usually sell the used coin ops for 650 to 750 in denver.  He said they are in demand with little supply.  He actually pulled the one up off craigslist for 650 (the cherrywood) and said that was a "fair deal".  I did find one in Albequrque on craigslist that looks nice for $450 but gas and time or shipping make it not worth the savings.

I only post this to let anyone know that finding a coin op in certain parts of the country is not easy in the lower price range.  Grab one if you see it that low or don't put a time limit on your search.

Great site and I am already reading many of the previous posts on maintenance, upgrades, etc.  wealth of info here.  this is THE site for foos.