(Topic ID: 300808)

Best place to buy a used pinball, TNT Amusements?

By hoany

2 years ago



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    #1 2 years ago

    Any experiences with TNT in PA in the recent past? Had a wild visit there a year ago but maybe that was an isolated incident. Thanks

    #2 2 years ago

    They're a legitimate retailer, but they aren't the only one. They are pretty well known for posting youtube videos on a frequent basis.
    https://tntamusements.com/

    You can also buy from private sellers. On the upside, it's usually cheaper. On the downside, there isn't any sort of warranty or service agreement (if you care about that).

    Many retailers also carry new games (not just used ones), so they may appear on a distributor's list on a game manufacturer's website:
    https://sternpinball.com/buy-a-game/
    https://www.jerseyjackpinball.com/distributors/
    https://www.american-pinball.com/distributors/
    https://www.chicago-gaming.com/distributors/23
    https://www.dutchpinball.com/distributors

    There's also the dealers biz listings here:
    https://pinside.com/pinball/biz/directory#dealer

    But just be aware that there's a known scammer putting up fake retailer websites. Details here:
    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-scam-game-seller-websites

    #3 2 years ago
    Quoted from hoany:

    Any experiences with TNT in PA in the recent past? Had a wild visit there a year ago but maybe that was an isolated incident. Thanks

    I'd like to hear about the wild visit, do tell. They're a retailer with high prices.

    #4 2 years ago

    I bought a used pin from them about 2 years ago and would not hesitate to do so again. In particular, I bought a Whitewater from their Bargain Basement. It is this one here https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/archive/89315. They took a $500 deposit to hold the machine until I could pick it up later in the week.

    Overall, buying from them was a good experience and I would not hesitate to do so again.

    The real value added to buying a used pin from them is that they recondition their electronics before sending them back out. I have now had 4 machines that have been at TNT amusements sometime in their past (stickers on their boards) and they all had offset lithium batteries and expertly reflowed solder on the connectors in the head board. Most of these had cabinet touchup of some sort or the other, but all of it that I have seen has been well done, and seems to hold up well over time.

    This Twilight Zone I recently sold had gone through TNT about 5 years ago and the touchup on it is expertly done https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/archive/120878

    The negatives to TNT are that it is indeed a bit more expensive. However, my bargain basement Whitewater was the cheapest I could find by quite a bit. The only other negative I can say is that their LED jobs are... usually clown LEDs. You can request whatever you want, but they really like rainbow colors there.

    Overall, If you have the money going with TNT is a good bet. I have not heard of them ever ripping anyone off and their workmanship is top notch. If I see that a game has gone through their workshop at any point in the past (not uncommon in the North East) that is a major value added to me. If they have something you want, and want a hassle free experience getting a pin from a reliable retailer with a solid reputation, TNT is a good bet.

    #5 2 years ago
    Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:

    I bought a used pin from them about 2 years ago and would not hesitate to do so again. In particular, I bought a Whitewater from their Bargain Basement.

    Can only imagine they're "Bargain Basement" price.

    #6 2 years ago
    Quoted from poppapin:

    Can only imagine they're "Bargain Basement" price.

    I think it was $4850... cheapest I could find a working Whitewater at the time... and all the electronics had been reworked.

    Ramps and mountains were cracked, but I bought, sold, and traded ramps and mountains until I had a full working set and was into the machine about $4500. Not a bad deal if you put in a little elbow grease.

    #7 2 years ago

    I’ve bought a couple of as-is video games from them. Great people and willingness to help find what you want. Their shipping rates are about as good as it gets these days, so while you might be paying a little more for the machine you’re probably paying a little less for shipping. They make sure that everything is working properly, and if it isn’t then they tell you. I have more confidence buying from them than buying from a private seller…at least you know they know what they’re doing and not hacking their way through the machine. That’s worth a few extra bucks to me. I really don’t think they’re charging much more than anyone else, once you consider the aforementioned factors. People who think TNT is so much higher in price…I need to know what universe they’re buying their machines in. Cheers!

    #8 2 years ago

    watched a few of their videos...entertaining and they seem like cool guys. I'd buy from them if the opportunity arose.

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