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Thinking about trading down...talk me out of (or into) it... :) CV in WI

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JediTurtle

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:30:37 PM12/21/09
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Hi guys,
So I've noticed lately that I'm not quite as excited about pinball as
I used to be. I'm thinking maybe the collection is starting to feel a
little stale after not adding anything for about a year now. Thoughts
of shaking things up a little have crept into my head, and without
having any spare cash, the only option right now would be swapping
something out. Looking around the game room, almost all of my games
have just the right cost-to-fun ratio. Sure a few of them aren't
"must haves" (Stingray, Memory Lane, Blackout), but were cheap enough
that I get more enjoyment from them and I could get money out of
them...if that makes sense. My mid-price pins could fetch a little
more money, but honestly I enjoy them all enough that I can't think of
any that I'd rather have for what I could get for them (WoF, ST:TNG,
Pinbot, HS, BK). That only leaves one oddball...my one "A" title,
Cirqus Voltaire.

Now don't get me wrong...I really enjoy the game. However, even
though it's by far the most expensive title in my collection, I can't
say it's my absolute favorite. I also can't help but think that as
much as I like the game, it's worth 2, or 3, or even 4 other lower end
games that I'd enjoy just as much each. That makes it hard to justify
keeping it. On the flip side, while it may be easier down the road to
add a cheaper title here and there, it would be much more difficult to
replace the CV. I only ended up with it because of the sale of my
Mustang, and even then I also traded my JD in the deal. That also
brings up another point...I miss my JD quite a bit and wish I would
have found a way to keep it plus get the CV. My fear is regretting
losing CV as soon as I'd go through with it.

As for what I'd consider trading it for...I have a pretty long list of
"B-C" level games that I enjoy greatly. I've enjoyed pretty much
every Sys11 game I've played, especially the likes of WW, Diner, Taxi,
BK2K, etc. Stuff like Whitewater, No Fear, BSD, etc are on my short
list too. Also a few earlier games like Fireball (or FBClassic),
Solar Fire, Pharoah are great too. So I'm open to many things if I
would decide to go through with it. I'd really love a couple newer
Sterns like SM and 24, but I'm sure those would be more of a 1:1 trade
and I'm back in the same situation of cost-to-fun ratio. Although at
least the collection will have been shaken up with something fresh!

So after all that babbling...I guess I'm looking for opinions. I'm
sure many of you have been in the same boat. Have you traded down
even if you've enjoyed the game you got rid of? Any regrets? Am I
stupid for even considering it? This would be much easier to consider
if I just didn't like CV, but I do.

I guess I could also use this as a bit of a feeler thread to see if
anyone in or around WI would be interested in such a trade and what
you may have to offer. The CV used to be Jim Farris's if anyone saw
it while he had it. It's not collector quality, but it is very, very
nice and everything works great. It's due for a clean and wax, but
that's about all it needs.

Again, any input talking me in or out of this idea is greatly
appreciated! Thanks for listening to me babble and letting me use you
guys as a sounding board! :)

Take care and happy holidays all,
Chris

Max Badazz

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:43:38 PM12/21/09
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I dumped my CV a couple years ago by trading it for 4 lesser titles (1
late 80's and 3 90's). I had zero regrets and enjoyed those four
titles more than the one CV. Eventually most of those games left the
building, but I got a ton of time on them and traded them for other
great games that I now enjoy (I do miss Al's Garage Band which was one
of the original 4).

I say go for it. You can always get a CV again someday and they seem
to always be in good condition.

Chris (in NH)
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/maxbadazz

Noahpdavis

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:47:37 PM12/21/09
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I should preface this by saying, I'm not a huge fan of CV. I don't
hate it or anything, but I never got what the craze was about.

If you have the room, I say go for it!!! For a CV, you could probably
get a nice variety of games to shake up your lineup. You could
probably pick up 3 pins for the value of CV - Most of the games you
mentioned are right in the $800-$1500 range. Get two in nice shape,
and a third that needs to be shopped so you have a new project.

Again, just one opinion - I've got a garage full of B and C listers.
Just never could bring myself to buy and A list game, when I could
have just as much fun or more, on 2 Sys11s or Demo Man/BSD type DMD's

Craig C

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:47:37 PM12/21/09
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How about trade your CV (or sell and buy) and get some of those
system11 pins you mention. You can probably get a real nice white
water and a system 11 pin of your choice for CV.

Don't sell CV if you'll miss it though. I don't miss mine.

-c

Frank J

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:54:44 PM12/21/09
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Many years ago, Tim Arnold wrote in the old Pinball Trader about "fun
factor." All machines have a fun factor - no matter what the price.
If CV is not for you, no big deal, replace it with a machine - or
multiple machines that have a better fun factor to you - no matter
what it is worth or what others may think.

Most of us have had that "had to have" game only to find that it
wasn't as fun as we remembered. If that's the case, dump it and get
something that is more fun to play. If it's purely price remorse
because all you can think about is how much you paid for it....then
you've got a tough decision. Will you ever really enjoy it because
all you think about is price - or would you really miss it because it
truly was a "Holy Grail" machine for you.

Frank -

Old School Al

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Dec 21, 2009, 4:55:35 PM12/21/09
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If you already have it in your head you 'may' miss CV then you likely
will once it's gone.

The pinball jones does ebb and flow I wouldn't worry about it.

If it were me I would sell it and get the JD back. I like that game
better than CV anyway. Who cares about A tilte B title etc. I don't
have single A title in my collection and could care less. Had a few
and they didn't last. (Unles we want to get into era's then I say
Paragon and Firepower are both A titles, yes I own them.)

On Dec 21, 3:30 pm, JediTurtle <jeditur...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Old School Al

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Dec 21, 2009, 5:01:10 PM12/21/09
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Yes!!!! Show Al's Garage Band some love!!! I actually really like mine
and only bought it because of my name (and it was cheap) but it turned
out to be a fun game I probably will keep in the collection.

On Dec 21, 3:43 pm, Max Badazz <max_bad...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Adm56

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Dec 21, 2009, 5:01:30 PM12/21/09
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If space is limited I think a game like CV is a better fit, but if you
have plenty of room the 2-3 pins you could trade it for might suit you
better. I don't own many pins, but I have a CV and I think the variety
it offers (IMO) allows me to have 'one trick pony' games like Dr. Who
and appreciate the one thing they do well without getting bored with
them.

Tim N.

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Dec 21, 2009, 5:06:43 PM12/21/09
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On Dec 21, 3:30 pm, JediTurtle <jeditur...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Holy Crap, there must be something in this Wisconsin air.... Just this
morning I was telling my wife that I simply don't enjoy CV anymore
after several years of owning it. I have the settings fairly
difficult, tight tilt, etc. and can join the cirqus almost every
single time I play... The simple fact is that I have played the game
so much, it is getting a bit repetitious, and I am very comfortable
making shots on this game on command.

I too, am thinking of my CV to make room for another title, except I
am looking at RFM, CFTBL, PoTC, and possibly NGG. My wheel of fortune
next to the CV is going nowhere, I absolutely love the game....

You should sell/trade yours first and let me know how you feel in a
couple of weeks :).... I felt this way about CV a few months ago too,
and I just can't shake it. If space wasn't an issue, I would keep it
and the WH20 I sold a few months ago (another game I just played until
I could make every shot).....

TBK

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Dec 21, 2009, 6:37:11 PM12/21/09
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> As for what I'd consider trading it for...I have a pretty long list of
> "B-C" level games that I enjoy greatly.  I've enjoyed pretty much
> every Sys11 game I've played, especially the likes of WW, Diner, Taxi,
> BK2K, etc.  Stuff like Whitewater, No Fear, BSD, etc are on my short
> list too.  

> Again, any input talking me in or out of this idea is greatly


> appreciated!  Thanks for listening to me babble and letting me use you
> guys as a sounding board!  :)
>
> Take care and happy holidays all,
> Chris

Float a trade offer out there and see what comes of it!

I'd think if you could get a WW, Wh2O, and a BSD for your CV you'd be
in great shape with a ton of new stuff to play!

Maybe the Wh2O isn't available and you get a NF & Taxi in place of it
so a 4 for 1 swap is possible.

Post the open trade offer and see what is offered and then weigh the
different options.

You may get a deal that just screams "What are you waiting for?!"

If not you still have your CV and you can always test the waters
later.

~Ron R
TBK=The Biggest Kid
"Route-rat extraordinaire!"
SD Pinball Club, OC Pinball League, RGP League

grea...@hotmail.com

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Dec 21, 2009, 8:44:27 PM12/21/09
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First thing to do is fold the game and leave it for a month. Don't
miss it? Then you are good to go. It is hard to find a nice CV, so
make sure you won't miss it. That said....

I had a CV and owned it for several years. Last year, I decided it
could go. I enjoyed the game. Would still enjoy one if I got the
chance to play it, but it was no longer the must have game. I sold it
for a fair price and with the money was able to buy a HUO TSPP and a
GetAway (not from the same person, there was a bit of travel involved
in getting the two games). Like you, I'm maxed out in terms of cash,
so if I want something, something has to go.

It's been over a year and I don't miss the CV at all. TSPP, for me at
least, is a much better game and I love it. The GetAway wasn't up to
my standards in terms of condition (I love the game, though) and I
traded it.

There is nothing wrong with owning an A title and deciding to sell it.
I know it shocks some folks. A few folks were surprised when I decided
to sell the CV. An A title ties up alot of cash and, like you, I find
enjoyment in a variety of games and not all of them are A titles. I
love Shadow, No Fear, Whirlwind, etc. All great games and at fair
price.

Good luck on your decision,
Duane

Captain Neo

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Dec 21, 2009, 9:51:43 PM12/21/09
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do you have the 2.0 roms? That might make a difference.


Max if your looking for Al's garage band. Eric over by me has a
really nice one for sale.

:)
neo

erickit

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Dec 21, 2009, 10:29:12 PM12/21/09
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Just sold mine today, newer titles are getting all the play.
Move it out and let someone else enjoy it and get another title to
fill that slot.
If you do end up missing it get another one down the road.

Eric

JF

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Dec 21, 2009, 11:57:21 PM12/21/09
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On Dec 21, 1:30 pm, JediTurtle <jeditur...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Wow Chris, that didnt last long! LOL! You have to do what makes you
happy. Before I did the sale/trade with you, I was really skeptical
about getting rid of CV after owning it for several years and it being
my youngest sons favorite. Now that its gone, we really dont miss it
and enjoy our older less popular games just as much. The ol' have to
have "A" title theory is based on cookie cutter popularity for the
most part as far as Im concerned. If you play a $1k pin more than a
$4k pin because you get more enjoyment out of it, which one would you
consider the "A" title? Follow your heart, and let it go for someone
else to enjoy...you wont regret it. Way too many pins out there to try
out and play to miss the CV. Merry Christmas and good luck with your
decision. Hope you and the family are doing well.

Jim

metallik

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Dec 22, 2009, 12:55:56 AM12/22/09
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On Dec 21, 5:01 pm, Old School Al <kueste...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes!!!! Show Al's Garage Band some love!!! I actually really like mine
> and only bought it because of my name (and it was cheap) but it turned
> out to be a fun game I probably will keep in the collection.

Blah.. I had to play one of these in league competition.. yuk. I
think it knew I didn't like it because it threw my third ball out of
the left kickout into the outlane. Stupid machine :)

JediTurtle

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Dec 23, 2009, 10:17:19 AM12/23/09
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Believe it or not it's been about a year and a half already Jim! Time
does fly. I was surprised to find that out too.

Thanks much for all of the replies and encouragement guys. I have
also received quite a few trade offers, a couple of which are very
tempting that I'm looking into further.

Like I said, it would be much easier if I didn't like CV, but I
really, really do. It's just the thought of getting 2-3 others that I
will equally enjoy seems to make more sense right now. I do have the
room for a few more yet, so that's not an issue. The biggest problem
right now is my wife really wants to keep CV. She said she's fine
with it if I decide to trade it out, but she loves it and wouldn't do
it herself. On the flip side of that she's only played it maybe a
dozen times since we've owned it. So that doesn't make it any
easier! I still have some thinking to do, but the trade offers have
been very tempting so far...including a couple that I am seriously
considering.

Thanks for all of the thoughts guys, and have a GREAT Christmas and
New Years!
Chris

> Jim- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

JediTurtle

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Jan 5, 2010, 4:48:12 PM1/5/10
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Hi all,
Just wanted to thank you all for the replies and trade offers, and let
you know that after a lot of thought I've decided the Ringmaster will
not be leaving the building. My wife really didn't want me to get rid
of it, and after playing a few dozen games on it, I decided I was
crazy for even thinking about it. Even though I know I could trade
for a few great games, there's just something about the Cirqus that I
really love. I've gotten over the whole "I have an A title"
mentality, which I probably had a little of when I first got it, and
really stepped back and determined that I love the game for the game,
not for how much it's worth. I know I'd regret it the minute I would
get rid of it, and then would have a hard time replacing it. The
cheaper titles that I also enjoy will be much easier to add here and
there through the years than another CV would be.

I did almost do it though. Egyptrus made me a trade offer that was
about as close to ideal for me as I could have asked for. Thanks
again Dave for spending the time discussing it and being patient with
my decision. If I could get my money tree to thaw out (I think the
damn thing's dead), I'd be buying that beautiful NF straight out, but
for now I just do not have the means. Thanks also to all the others
who offered up trade ideas, they were all appreciated and I wish you
all the best of luck in finding the right deals!

The best thing about all of this is it's really gotten me excited
about pinball and my little collection again. I guess I just needed a
little break from it, and all this thinking has brought me back into
it. I was able to spend a few hours over the holidays fixing and
tinkering here and there and have most of my machines back to playing
100%. I've been playing a lot more and am quite happy with my line-up
again. Now if I could find some time to give a couple of my games the
clean and wax that they deserve, I'd be doing great!

Besides...if I got rid of the CV I'm afraid Neo would think less of
me! :)

Thanks again guys, take care, and have a GREAT New Year!
Chris

Captain Neo

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Jan 5, 2010, 4:53:46 PM1/5/10
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I wouldn't think less, but I would be disappointed in you. :)

egyptrus

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Jan 6, 2010, 1:20:23 AM1/6/10
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As you said you were "just thinking outloud" about the possibility of
trading. I figured I'd make you an offer and see where it went. In the
end, it's probably better that you didn't do the trade as I think you would
have regretted it. No fun for either person if one of them regrets the
trade they made.

Enjoy the games you have and someday you might get to the point where you
want to change things up. Right now isn't that time.

Dave

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