Owning a machine, but using in arcade?

[RedXXX]

Alright folks, it's been a while but the Bemani lifestyle is still strong with me. And I'm getting back into it strong.

So, I've come across the idea about getting a Drummania cabinet. I am almost to the point of being able to afford one, and getting it shipped. So I have a few questions I want answered in this thread.

Is it as easy as calling a distributor and paying for it with their shipping services? Or should I go for a private shipping company.

Do arcades allow you to put the machine at their location by "renting" a spot to put it? Like giving the owners a fraction of the machine's profits? I would consider talking to whoever runs the student union here at UF, and there is still several people coming here to play DDR SN. I know I would have to maintain the machine myself, but I don't think they're picky about the condition, mainly because half of the machines have something noticeably wrong with them. I figured that at even 10-15 plays a day @$.75 a game would bring about what it would cost over the course of a year.

And the big one. I don't hear much about this game from pretty much anybody, but with the whole Guitar Hero/Rock Band craze still around, it seems like a pretty good idea to give the kids something to play. Do you think it's wise for me to make an investment like this? Should I post a poll? Or should I do something at the union if they work a deal for them to host the machine?

[AceJay]

Can you really afford it? Are you going to be able to maintain it in regards to sensors and maintenance?

I'd test out the machine before you buy it if possible.

Also, paired with DDR SN it will draw a bit of interest. If you were able to place the two back to back in a main focal point it'd help.

[RedXXX]

Most likely I wouldn't be able to test it before I got it. But right now I have almost $3000. I don't think it's completely necessary to go for a newer version right off the bat. I found a 10th mix for around $1500. I don't know if it's too good to be true, but I am setting aside $500-700 if shipping takes that much.

I guess my biggest concern before I even consider this would be about maintenance. I just dread the thought of having the PCB or a sensor going out on me. And where parts could be obtained if possible in the US. They would most likely be placed next to each other, since there isn't a huge open area. And I know I can protect the drum sticks since they have a lot of different things that require you to give your ID to use things like that. They do it for the air hockey table, so I know it's possible.

[AceJay]

Well, at that price, if you fail and need to sell it you could likely break even or make a little profit.

If you want to do it, go ahead. Careful that the sound from each game doesn't mix with the other. Talk to the players, etc.