I'm starting to think about maybe trading a game or two from my collection to get something new without dropping a lot of money/taking up more valuable real estate in the house.  

Because it's my first time trading a machine, I was just wondering if anyone's got any advice.  Especially when shipping pins to each other, is there a way to insure that both sides make good on their agreement?  I'd hate to ship a pin to some dude on RGP then get stiffed!  

Thanks!

If you have the time a road trip is the way to go, especially if you can tie it in to meeting a bunch of the collectors. All except one of my pins have involved a road trip. Each and every time I've gotten to meet some great people, see some great pin collections, and played quite a few machines. My last big trip involved heading to Burlington, then up north of Montreal and back to Kingston, roughly 1400 KM in a weekend; It was a great trip, only cost $120 bucks in fuel, and my wife and I were able to get out and see the Country. Fantastic.

Road trips rock!!!

I agree with Pete, road trips rock!  I've met the majority of the key MAACA people that way, and time spent is a way to build trust.  Trading pools do develop, and it is a way to get some new game(s) without going to a huge expense (and works both ways if your trading partner needs something new to play with).  SOme collectors, like myself, used to store machines that I eventually want to move into my rec room.  So I have put some out to friends.  Not really trading, but they have compensated me in other ways, and I have gotten them addicted, so I often make a small commission on sales.  And voila, eventually I have enough scratch (and room) for another pin!