I came with the following for testing:
- AC extension cords - 2x 50ft
- ATX power cords
- Multi meter
- Impact drivers and assorted bits (torx, standard, phillips, JIS)
- 3/8" impact sockets
- Flashlights
- Durable/encased PCB's:
- JAMMA - CPS2
- MVS - 4 slot with carts
- JVS - NAOMI
Additionally, for transport, we brought:
- Foam padding
- Movers blankets
- Large plastic bags to encase the cabs
- Packaging tape
- Shrink wrap
- Ratching straps
What we didn't bring:
- Dolly/handtrucks
- Cleaning supplies
All the things we brought for testing were used with the exception of the ATX power cable; KC had one handy. But I'd bring one just in case.
All the things we brought for transport were needed. Especially, the large plastic bags, shrink wrap, and packaging tape because it rained and we used an open trailer for transport. Everything had to be wrapped tight or they'd end up flailing in the wind on the way back. And we had room for maybe one more cab.
Of the things we didn't bring that ended up being needed were cleaning supplies.
Bring cleaning supplies with you. A good spray degreaser like Simple Green. A glass cleaner. Rags and microfiber cloths for checking your monitor screens; lots of rags and microfiber cloths. With few exceptions, all of what KC has in invetory is used, taken out of operation after abuse onsite, has been sitting in overseas warehouses, collecting dust, building up grime, then shipped to him stored in a wearhouse in the US where they can again collect dust and build up even more grime until they are sold. Don't be discouraged if you see dirt and grime. I got a cab that a day later is clearning up nicely. What you want to look for is funcationality and completeness first. Then worry about cosmetic damage later. Anything you get from him is going to need lots sweat equity invested before it goes into your house as a centerpiece. That's just the nature of it. The only way you are going to get a showroom quality cab is from another collector or from
@Cereth. All locks will be removed. Extra electronic components like networking components will be removed. No games are sold with cabs. You'll get a 1-player panel by default. If you want these things, you will pay extra and need to negotiate that before hand. You will pay sales tax.
Depending on the total value of what you are buying, KC will give you the time of day or not to pick and choose what you want. If you are going to buy one cab, I don't think he is going to give you that luxury. I watched his crew move inventory around by hand and by forklift to get to the items we wanted. That took more than 2 hours. Just watching this unfold, I realized how much effort this was. He had two helpers/employees with him that weren't there because they were enthusiasts. He had to pay them, I am sure. Which leads me to this, KC isn't a store front. He is a direct to customer wholesaler of niche products. He isn't a distributor collecting a percentage. He isn't someone listing stuff on Craigslist, where he is going to even respond to tire kickers. He isn't a flea market. What he has, you either want it, will buy it if it works, or not. Doubtful, even if were allowed to view before you buy, he would allow you to pay on site. He is going to insist on pre-payment because in speaking with him, he's had plenty of people say they would show up but flake out. He knows if you are serious before he is willing to put in the work or not. He told me he has been doing it for 30 years. We drove all night, but got there early (around 5am). Messaged him around 7am to let him know we arrived for the 8-9am meeting with him. I'm pretty sure he doesn't normally work weekends, so it wasn't like he was going to be there waiting for what could potentially be another potential buyer to not show up. So as soon as you are there, message him. He told me he is about 25 minutes away. But if you know LA traffic, that is 1.5 hours away. I think since we were there so early and with the Corona virus and all, there was no traffic. He actually got there around 8:00. Be upfront and professional. This is a business transaction afterall.
As far as browsing around, depending on his inventory on hand, you will get to see some cool stuff or not. You will either be able to walk around or not. We were only able to walk around only so far because he was stuffed to the brim with inventory. He happened to just get a shipment that Friday and I saw the empty container in front of his wearhouse. I saw the 3 Pony cabs he posted ealier towards the front of wearhouse. Obviously, they just got shipped to him. I saw Aero's stacked on their sides 10+ high. I saw Viewlix's folded up and lined up back to back 5+ deep, rows long. I saw 20 Blasts occupying whole shelves. But being from California and being that KC is in LA, the epicenter of many earthquakes, as enthused as I was with what I was seeing, I wasn't about to walk crawl through there with an operating forklift potentially bumping a rack and knocking a cab down on my head. We knew what we wanted, tested it, opened up panels to confirm what electronics were actually in there (monitor chassis were important of most), paid, and GTFO-ta there. Whatever testing you want to do, you will be doing it outside on asphault under the wearhouse overhang. You will get dirty. Lastly, you'll want to leave the wife/GF at home. It wasn't a get away. We were there for 4-5 hours. The wife/GF is going to nag about leaving and you'll end up bringing home a cab you don't want.