We are all collectors arent we? In each and every one of us is that little voice that says I want that!, or gimme gimme gimme!. How much each of us listens to that little voice tends to determine whether we, have a casual interest in the things we want, are an enthusiast, or a serious collector. For many, their collecting habits may take them to amass clothes that they love, shoes that they adore, DVDs that they watch, albums that they listen to, or a variety of cutting edge electronic devices that do all sorts of interesting and often useless things.

The most ardent and foaming-at-the-mouth collector you will meet is what can be termed the nostalgia collector. These people have a passion for a specific aspect of their childhood or earlier years. This leads to them collecting toys, games, long-since-forgotten music formats, and all sorts of other paraphernalia from their past; the most hardcore of these is the retro gamer.

The problem with collecting retro games is making sure you get what you pay for. This is most salient amongst collectors of second hand arcade machines, as this requires a substantial amount of knowledge and investment; they are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

If you are tempted to take the plunge into collecting second hand arcade machines, there are certain pitfalls that you must avoid at all cost. First of all, you must have a working and up-to-date knowledge of market prices; this is essential. Some arcade machines can reach into the tens of thousands with regards to value; conversely other machines can be grossly overpriced. Understanding the current value of an arcade cabinet through observing on-line prices will allow you to get the most out of your wallet, while perhaps picking up some great investments a long the way.

Another important aspect of buying second hand arcade machines is to develop a working knowledge of how they operate. There are several reasons for this. Many purchases can involve inspecting the machine first. With a knowledge of how a specific cabinet should work, you will be able to identify any possible defects that might affect the value. This knowledge is also beneficial as it will allow you to collect second hand machines that are broken, or in need of parts, which you will then be able to repair or replace. A great amount of money can be saved by buying, for example, the board, screen, and cabinet separately and then putting them together to create a completed unit. Knowing how to repair arcade machines will also allow you to maintain your collection and perhaps limit the damage that may be done to a unit via faulty parts that need fixed or replaced.

Lastly, take into consideration the sheer amount of space that these machines can take up, and understand the hidden costs of delivery. If you have limited space, make sure you maximise it by buying the machines that you want rather than whats available ( unless you intend to sell at a profit). Always remember that these machines are heavy, and as such delivery can be expensive. Often the delivery charges are hidden when buying on-line, so unless you can pick the arcade cabinet up yourself, always ask for the delivery charges before making your mind up on a purchase.

Collecting second hand arcade machines can be both an enjoyable and profitable pursuit, but always make sure that you know what you are buying, the value of the purchase, and the viability of storing it.