ReplicaX
Grand Master
Not an easy task in 2019 with the demand and availability of stock. Then there is the last 5 years across multiple forums of what I'd consider failed group buys as they had major issues on a communication and distribution level. I feel that is why there are a few veterans chiming in here.
There is one thing I do want to share with the group, just to have an understanding of my experience in 2005, buying my first Candy while in Japan. The market change from 2007 - 2013 and now its 2019. This is very important as far as expectations go.
Quick background:
My first candy was a New Astro City I got while I was in Japan for 3 months training Tokyo SAR from June to August 2005, after spending months in Banda Aceh for humanitarian relief of their Tsunami. The only reason why I had the opportunity was due to 2 friends with me that had sourced S14 parts and engines for 240SX to Silvia conversions. They needed a container, period. Thankfully, we had someone at Yokota that spoke Japanese and knew the area well being stationed there and had contacts with a JP distributor for AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service). For those that do not know, not only do US Military bases overseas have local vendors and contracted services for things like produce, fuel, parts, and other basic needs items. They acquire standard items for base services like arcade machines, bowling, theater equipment, and other entertainment services.
2005:
This is 2005, a Sega Club had shutdown somewhere in Okayama, a separate location from the Aeon Mall. When we went to the distributor they had over 400 New Astro Cities alone to choose from (Remember, these cabs were 8-10 years old then). 40 of which they just acquired from Okayama. Mind you that these cabinets were in extremely good condition as the majority of these distributors were selling to other arcades in Japan, not shipping to the US. They also had stockpiles of NOS and used parts from liquidations and standard stocking of parts they purchased from Sega over the years. To include, monitors, chassis, and cabinet spares. Heavily damaged cabinets were parted out.
2005 was a low point for arcades due too the rise in consoles and more specifically console arcade ports quality in JP from '99 - '05 and release time frames compared to the past. Many centers shutdown and the bigger "chains" consolidated locations.
And for shits n giggles. 2005 was my first direct exposure to Cave Co. Ltd. as Ibara was just released in mid July. As well as all previous titles still popular at many locations.
2007 - 2013:
I consider this era, the US CRT import high and cherry picking time period. New cabinets like the Noir, Lindbergh, and Vewlix came out. Locations needed floor space and cut down on CRT cabinets. During this time, Matsu was a known source in cherry picking pre-distro on these cabinets coming off location. Myself, I had purchased 2 Egret IIs in almost collector quality. As they came serviced and general cleaned. Matsu also got cabinet spares, harnesses, and CPs in extra. Having options for his buyers. Then, you had successful group buys happen via members on forums organizing them and getting JP distribution contacts. Also Ken at TheGameRoom and a few others were regularly importing them as well.
We did not have the hobby increase as much as it has 2013+.
Now it is 2019:
The hobby has become ever so demanding and new blood injected into it. Not only on cabs, but also pcbs.
In Japan. CRT cabinets are dying on location, parts have dried up (That NAC is now 24yrs old). Cabinets of lesser quality or broken are being sacked or sold off. What is deemed "classics" are in smaller sections. Many locations have reconfigured on more demanding genres, rhythm, crane, pachinko, specialized machines. As no one is making JAMMA compatible hardware anymore. In the JVS world, hardware is now running at 720p or higher.
Think of all this and add in redevelopment and bankruptcy. A lot of cabs literally went to the recyclers or dumped as solid waste.
And math wise. If a New Astro City was on location for all its life and your average 12hr arcade (Most centers run 10am to 11pm or Midnight). That is 17,520 hrs.
There is one thing I do want to share with the group, just to have an understanding of my experience in 2005, buying my first Candy while in Japan. The market change from 2007 - 2013 and now its 2019. This is very important as far as expectations go.
Quick background:
My first candy was a New Astro City I got while I was in Japan for 3 months training Tokyo SAR from June to August 2005, after spending months in Banda Aceh for humanitarian relief of their Tsunami. The only reason why I had the opportunity was due to 2 friends with me that had sourced S14 parts and engines for 240SX to Silvia conversions. They needed a container, period. Thankfully, we had someone at Yokota that spoke Japanese and knew the area well being stationed there and had contacts with a JP distributor for AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service). For those that do not know, not only do US Military bases overseas have local vendors and contracted services for things like produce, fuel, parts, and other basic needs items. They acquire standard items for base services like arcade machines, bowling, theater equipment, and other entertainment services.
2005:
This is 2005, a Sega Club had shutdown somewhere in Okayama, a separate location from the Aeon Mall. When we went to the distributor they had over 400 New Astro Cities alone to choose from (Remember, these cabs were 8-10 years old then). 40 of which they just acquired from Okayama. Mind you that these cabinets were in extremely good condition as the majority of these distributors were selling to other arcades in Japan, not shipping to the US. They also had stockpiles of NOS and used parts from liquidations and standard stocking of parts they purchased from Sega over the years. To include, monitors, chassis, and cabinet spares. Heavily damaged cabinets were parted out.
2005 was a low point for arcades due too the rise in consoles and more specifically console arcade ports quality in JP from '99 - '05 and release time frames compared to the past. Many centers shutdown and the bigger "chains" consolidated locations.
And for shits n giggles. 2005 was my first direct exposure to Cave Co. Ltd. as Ibara was just released in mid July. As well as all previous titles still popular at many locations.
2007 - 2013:
I consider this era, the US CRT import high and cherry picking time period. New cabinets like the Noir, Lindbergh, and Vewlix came out. Locations needed floor space and cut down on CRT cabinets. During this time, Matsu was a known source in cherry picking pre-distro on these cabinets coming off location. Myself, I had purchased 2 Egret IIs in almost collector quality. As they came serviced and general cleaned. Matsu also got cabinet spares, harnesses, and CPs in extra. Having options for his buyers. Then, you had successful group buys happen via members on forums organizing them and getting JP distribution contacts. Also Ken at TheGameRoom and a few others were regularly importing them as well.
We did not have the hobby increase as much as it has 2013+.
Now it is 2019:
The hobby has become ever so demanding and new blood injected into it. Not only on cabs, but also pcbs.
In Japan. CRT cabinets are dying on location, parts have dried up (That NAC is now 24yrs old). Cabinets of lesser quality or broken are being sacked or sold off. What is deemed "classics" are in smaller sections. Many locations have reconfigured on more demanding genres, rhythm, crane, pachinko, specialized machines. As no one is making JAMMA compatible hardware anymore. In the JVS world, hardware is now running at 720p or higher.
Think of all this and add in redevelopment and bankruptcy. A lot of cabs literally went to the recyclers or dumped as solid waste.
And math wise. If a New Astro City was on location for all its life and your average 12hr arcade (Most centers run 10am to 11pm or Midnight). That is 17,520 hrs.
