Starting in late 2019 and up through early 2021, a number of stand-alone scam game seller websites started popping up, and several discussion threads were posted about some of them asking "is that website legit?"
More often than not, if you feel you need to ask that question, the answer is usually no.
Most of these sites can be stumbled upon in a google search using search terms related to buying a pinball machine.
Starting in late 2022 through 2023, these scammers started using facebook and instragram with increasing frequency to either conduct their scams directly on those platforms, to simply accompany their scam websites, or to help promote/advertise their scam websites.
No matter how much you might want to believe that a deal is true, don't forget that scammers are liars; they will say anything to get you to send them money. They will make up stories and/or tell all sorts of excuses.
That said, there is a list below of several known scam sites and social media pages/profiles, though this will probably not be comprehensive. There is also a list of some previous threads that have been posted, plus some tips about what things to look out for.
For lists of legitimate retail game dealers, many of them can be found listed on the distributor pages of pinball manufacturers. Some only sell NIB (New-in-box) games, and some also deal with older refurbished games.
- 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
- https://www.pinballbrothers.com/alien/
- http://homepin.com/
Note that not every retailer will be listed there (since some dealers might only sell used games, and thus wouldn't be on a NIB distributor list), but those lists are fairly comprehensive, especially if you're looking to purchase a brand new game. Beyond that, there are also many private collectors who sell games. They usually list games here in the Pinside marketplace, in various buying/selling groups on Facebook, various other pinball or arcade discussion forums, Craigslist, and and handful of mailing lists.
Note that all of those platforms do have their own set of scammers present, but this guide will mainly focus on stand-alone scam websites, which have been tricking people who are new to the hobby or inexperienced about buying a new game. This group of individuals is likely the most susceptible to a website scam since they have probably not yet joined any sort of pinball community, where they might be warned about potential scams. They are likely just googling for information on their own about buying a game when they encounter these scam websites.
If you have a question about a dealer or anyone else, don't hesitate to ask. There will likely be someone who can provide feedback on a seller, or be able to help determine if something is a scam.
List of known of scam sites:
- 3d-pinball.com
- 47pins.com
- andrewpinballmachines.com.au
- arcade1up.click
- arcade1up.one
- arcade1up-clearance.com
- arcade1up-sale.shop
- arcades1up.us
- arcadegamehouse.com
- arcadegamesshop.com
- arcadegamevendor.com
- arcademachines.com
- arcadepinballs.com
- arcadepinballshop.com
- artifexsp.com
- atlaspinball.co
- avmpinballmachines.com
- axmpinballmachines.com
- barsandgames.com
- bestpinballmachines.com
- bonzerarcadeshop.com
- bunkerhousearcade.com
- buypinballarcadegames.com
- buypinballarcardegames.com
- buypinballexpress.com
- buypinballmachine.ca
- buypinballmachine.com
- capitalpinball.com
- casinomachinesforsale.com
- cgtechpinballs.com
- classicpinballguru.com
- classifiedpinball.com
- elitepinballstore.com
- flippersonlineshop.com
- gameroomshop.com
- globalpinballcompany.com
- greatpinballmachines.com
- homeluxurygames.com
- jackgameshub.com
- jmpinballmachines.com
- kaizooperationsbv.com
- kingarupinball.com
- kingarupinballs.com
- libertygamehall.com
- livingstreampinballmachines.com
- markwellpinballs.com
- masterpinball.com
- mavpinballmachines.com
- mossdistr.com
- mrpinballmachines.online
- newarcadegame.com
- nitropinball.shop
- officialpinballmachines.com
- oldiesgames.us
- pacificpinballshop.com
- pgpinballs.com
- pinball805llc.com
- pinbalflippers.com
- pinballandparts.com
- pinballarcadehouse.com
- pinballarcademart.com
- pinballarcadeshop.com
- pinballarcarde.com
- pinballavenue.com.au
- pinballballarcardegames.com
- pinballbase.com
- pinballbusinessgroup.com
- pinballcorner.com
- pinballcrypt.com
- pinballdirect.us
- pinballelite.com
- pinballengines.net
- pinballenterprise.com
- pinball-entertainment.com
- pinball-factory.com
- pinballfantasy.org
- pinballflipper.com
- pinballftries.com
- pinballftry.com
- pinballhem.com
- pinballhouse.us
- pinballgamegallery.com
- pinballgamesales.com
- pinballgamestore.com
- pinballgamesusa.com
- pinballmachine.bigcartel.com
- pinballmachinecenter.com
- pinballmachinesdeals.com
- pinballmachineforsale.co
- pinballmachineforsale.net
- pinballmachinery.com
- pinballmachines.eu
- pinballmachines.online
- pinballmachines.shop
- pinballmachines.us
- pinballmachines.world
- pinballmachines.xyz
- pinballmachinesale.com
- pinballmachinesandparts.com
- pinballmachinescompany.com
- pinballmachinesforsale.shop
- pinballmachinesretialstore.com
- pinballmachinessale.com
- pinballmachineshop.com
- pinballmachineshub.com
- pinballmachinesupplier.net
- pinballmachinesstore.com
- pinballmachinesusa.com
- pinballmaskine.com
- pinballmaskiner.com
- pinballmax.com
- pinball-max.com
- pinballnations.com
- pinball-nations.com
- pinballnmore.com
- pinballonlinestore.com
- pinballowner.com
- pinballpoint.online
- pinballretails.com
- pinballsandmore.com
- pinballsarcadegames.com
- pinballshore.com
- pinballshoreonline.com
- pinballsmachines.com
- pinballsowners.com
- flipper-space.com
- pinballstoreonline.com
- pinballstores.com
- pinballstork.com
- pinballtheatre.com
- pinballtopstore.com
- pinballtradingllc.com
- pinballworld.com.au
- pinballworldsupplies.com
- pincardiaarcade.com
- pinespinball.us
- pinwallstore.com
- pirateslifepinballstore.com
- portunionpinball.com
- premiumpinballmachinesforsale.com
- premiumpinballs.com
- primegamesusa.com
- primepinballmachines.com
- pushvendingmachines.com
- qualitypinballmachine.com
- quantumpinballmachines.com.au
- refinepinballs.com
- retroluxurypins.us
- rexopinballmachineshop.com
- royalpinballshop.com
- roughbiz.com
- ruvneh.com
- shopzcity.com
- smart-electronics-shops.com
- sportyartsbv.com
- sportyartsbv.nl
- stellarpinballs.com
- tandempinballmachines.com
- thearcadegamemachines.com
- thearcadetxas.com (note: cloned the address, about us info, and logo from a legitimate arcade with a similar domain name)
- theepinlab.com (note: this is a fake clone site of a legitimate pinball organization)
- theluxurycloset-us.com
- thepinballcompany.co
- thepinballcompany.us (note: this is a fake clone site of a legitimate pinball retailer)
- thepinballcompanyusa.com (note: this is a fake clone site of a legitimate pinball retailer)
- thepinballgamehouse.com
- thepinballgameroom.com
- thepinballhouse.com
- thepinballmachines.com
- thepinballmachineshop.com
- thepinballmachinessale.com
- thepinballnation.com (note: this is a fake clone site of a legitimate pinball retailer)
- thesilgoo.com
- toppinballmachines.com
- usedpinballmachines.shop
- vendingnationstore.com
- vintagehallgames.com
- worldclasspinballs.com
- worldofpinballarcade.com
- yourpinballshop.com
- zendohyd.com
- zumangames.com
List of scam social media profiles:
- bonanza.com/booths/HanaVee
- facebook.com/2023-Sup%D0%B5r-%D0%9D%D0%BEt-Dis%D1%81%D0%BEunt-St%D0%BEr%D0%B5-104457879014800/ (2023 Super Hot Discount Store; note that the URL and name for this one is using alternate ASCII/encoded characters that can look like regular letters within the alphabet, but actually aren't)
- facebook.com/centurypinball (Century Pinball Machines, Pinball and Vending Machine Market)
- facebook.com/dona.blis (Dona Blis)
- facebook.com/ericko.kips.35 (Ericko Kips)
- facebook.com/groups/1048267171921775/user/100082061724426 (TH Pinballs arcade)
- facebook.com/kwenchia.georgina.9 (Vitor Vitor)
- facebook.com/lamfu.roman (Sandro Roman)
- facebook.com/lako.lako.526438 (Lako Lako)
- facebook.com/njakoi.falucia (Stephen Francline)
- facebook.com/paul.mcgintygreat076234 (Paul McGinty; hacked account reported 9/9/23)
- facebook.com/people/Arcade-for-sale/100086927626524/ (Arcade for sale)
- facebook.com/pinballmachineus (Pinball Machines USA)
- facebook.com/pinballroomaussie (Thierry Eck)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550227220675 (Veron Champel)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550353483778 (Pinball Machine USA)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551132012648 (Selena Bray)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053636733606
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064067510863
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066707871511 (Refurbished And Used Pinball Machines For Sell)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068844525181 (Danny Mclntosh)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070876352956 (Dominick Anderson)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070137123833 (Clarissa Martinez)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073345140511 (Geoff Franke)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073382253502 (John Martinez)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073621836191 (Pinballmachines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074678494650 (Barrett Robin)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076246921424 (Eau Claire Games and Arcade, impersonating a legitimate business; or George arcade & games, or Gamestop)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077113221042 (Sports Shop, Weed420)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078103771966 (pinballmachines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080902077148 (pinballmachinez)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081275971730 (Noah David)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081571956732 (Marie Tamai)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082615092029 (Weiler Beiler)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082855356770 (Arrey Wilson)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083063246731 (pinballmachine)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083271876175 (Pin balls machines for sale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083140181697 (pinballmachines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083318300429 (Emmanuel Williams)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083436184704 (Dokota Pinballmachines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083471951371 (Pinball-Machine)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084103914113 (Davis Scott)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084248804442 (Allison G Rangel)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084739856865 (Pinballmachineforsale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084746550993 (Sarekha Punam)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084804283037 (Mark Jason)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085025456706 (Robert's pinball shop)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085073972758 (Kevin Milar)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085119952259 (Pincardia)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086214229711 (Pinball N More)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086304252610 (Barbou Efa Elie)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087281019126 (Pinball Machines In USA)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087373104590 (Lionel Mark)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088419536463 (pinball machines for sale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089003689496 (Mr pinball machines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089200974727 (pinball machines for sale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089406849982 (Pinball machine shop)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089456350332 (Pinball Arcade Games)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089629410029 (Stephanie’s Game Store)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089638686854 (pinball machines for sale and rent USA)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089703114065 (Prather Myers)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089797134165 (Classic Pinballs And Arcade Games)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089858502966 (Vending Machines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090220345183 (Pinball machine for sale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090247024916 (sternpinball)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090283909013 (Fon Ken, or Smith William)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090822200002 (Jack Williams, William Copper, Jack Copper)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090877567004 (PinBall Gaming Machines For Sale)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090925344111 (Brian Tinsley)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091469847605 (Liquidation Pallets)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091468345534 (Pinball Machines For Sale Near Me)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091520508718 (PinBall Heaven New, Used and Refurbished redistribution)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091742761980 (PinBall Heaven New, Used, and Refurbished redistribution today)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091889045248 (Perfect Pinball.Inc)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092265657044 (Pinball Room Australia Pty Ltd, or Pinball Barn Pty Ltd)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092397753896 (Ben Hunter)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092409535475 (Bunker House Arcade)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093068456358 (Omaha Lilbigworld)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093193425937 (1970s to 1990s pinball machines)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093880693300 (Global Pinballmachine Distributors)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095014925614 (Jose Ciminelli)
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095514723599 (Pinball Machine For Sale)
- facebook.com/adamou.njoya.98837 (Sander Danan Bradley)
- facebook.com/batman66pinball
- facebook.com/boris.joel.501 (Boris Joël)
- facebook.com/Chardliebrown
- facebook.com/chofor.fon.9 (Billy Jackson)
- facebook.com/djonzo.ngon (Peter Ruell)
- facebook.com/etienne.andegue (Brad Middleton)
- facebook.com/Flo.Grown214 (Dominick Anderson)
- facebook.com/Fun-Huz-Arcade-100529362578813
- facebook.com/fedrick.Wod.1987 (Wood Fredrick)
- facebook.com/jamesctuggle (Jame C Tuggle)
- facebook.com/james.bigmcqueen (Michael Auricchio)
- facebook.com/Johanessstacks
- facebook.com/nadesge.ngalle (James Arlen)
- facebook.com/ndille.muke (Walter Jimmy)
- facebook.com/Oswalds-pin-ball-games-108279908499571
- facebook.com/people/Global-Pinball-company/100068366123307
- facebook.com/PG-Pinball-Machines-107300687790357
- facebook.com/pinballarcarde (Pinball arcade)
- facebook.com/Pinballballarcardegamescom-107588015376194
- facebook.com/Pinball-Entertainment-100211611938360
- facebook.com/PinballGameRoom (Pinballmachines shop; or Pinball Arcade Shop)
- facebook.com/Pinball-Games-Machines-Warehouse-113740494412821
- facebook.com/PinBall-Machinaries-105920815267247
- facebook.com/Pinball-Machines-for-sale-689814164687845
- facebook.com/Pinballmachineforsales (pinballs.com, Golden Star Auto Parts)
- facebook.com/pinballmachinesforsaleusa
- facebook.com/pinballmachinesforsell
- facebook.com/pinballmachinesupplier
- facebook.com/Pinball-N-More-101046349454818
- facebook.com/pinballstoreonline
- facebook.com/Premium-Pinball-Machines-For-Sale-Online-105248785440121
- facebook.com/sangano.cedric (Sangano Cedric)
- facebook.com/Smith.Alan231
- facebook.com/Sporty-Arts-BV-105730078527744
- facebook.com/ThePinballGameroom
- facebook.com/thepinballmachines
- facebook.com/Vendingnationstore
- instagram.com/arcadefunmania
- instagram.com/arcade.house33
- instagram.com/Arcade_games22
- instagram.com/arcademan_6
- instagram.com/arcadepinball_machines_shop
- instagram.com/arcade_sales
- instagram.com/arcgames7
- instagram.com/awesome_pinball_machines
- instagram.com/flippers_home_arcade
- instagram.com/funandpinball
- instagram.com/funarcademania
- instagram.com/george_maso9n
- instagram.com/homearcadecorp
- instagram.com/homearcademania
- instagram.com/jacabcouzo
- instagram.com/jmpinballmachines_0
- instagram.com/mundopinball
- instagram.com/Pinball_12
- instagram.com/pinballarcade_
- instagram.com/pinball_arcade1
- instagram.com/pinballarcadegames
- instagram.com/pinball_arcade_games22
- instagram.com/pinball_arcade_games.shop
- instagram.com/pinball_class2
- instagram.com/pinballflipperi
- instagram.com/Pinball.fun
- instagram.com/pinballfunmania
- instagram.com/pinball_game09
- instagram.com/pinballgamemania
- instagram.com/Pinball_games44
- instagram.com/Pinball_gamesales
- instagram.com/pinballl_space
- instagram.com/pinb.allhomemania
- instagram.com/pin_ballmachine
- instagram.com/pinball_machine404
- instagram.com/pinball_machines00
- instagram.com/Pinball_machines44
- instagram.com/pinballmachines1
- instagram.com/pinballmachines97
- instagram.com/pinballacademachinesfosale60
- instagram.com/pinballmachines_gallery
- instagram.com/pinballmachinesales
- instagram.com/pinballmachines_shop
- instagram.com/pinballmachines_shop1
- instagram.com/pinballmemory
- instagram.com/pinballshop3
- instagram.coml/Pinballshop6
- instagram.com/pinballstore.22
- instagram.com/pinballworld
- instagram.com/pinballworldusa
- instagram.com/pincardiaarcade
- instagram.com/pinn_homes
- instagram.com/Pintrade6
- Instagram.com/ppinball_gamez
- instagram.com/ppinbball_gamez
- instagram.com/space_arcaade
- instagram.com/the_arcadegamemachines
- instagram.com/the_arcade_home
- t.me/gamerspinballmachine
- t.me/pinballmachineshop
- twitter.com/BuyPinball
- twitter.com/pinballflippers
List of scam shipper sites:
- alphacourierservices.com
- glowexpress.net
- External list of fake/scam shipping & freight websites: https://scam.delivery/
List of questionable/unconfirmed sites:
- demaretpinball.com
- dishshopzon.com
- pinballtrader.us
- pinball-translite.com
- gameroomplanet.com
- zamouse.com
- facebook.com/Arcades.Shopping.Centre
- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063658161788 (WE-MOVE)
Note that if a suspicious website is reported and they are actually shown to be a legitimate seller/distributor, the posts concerning that site will be removed from this thread so as to not unfairly associate or connect that site with this thread.
Other discussions: (listed oldest to newest)
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/i-got-scammed-for-27k-beware
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/buying-advice-from-online-site-seem-shady
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-pinballshorecom-a-scam-store-or-legit-shop
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/legit-or-not
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/caution-pinballshorecom
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/has-anyone-heard-of-pinballshore-inc
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/attention-don-t-get-scammed/page/3#post-5940118
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/i-think-i-may-be-getting-scammed-help
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-buypinballmachinecom-a-legit-website-
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-base
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/should-i-be-wary-of-sellers-that-wont-let-you-discuss-their-ad#post-5940088
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-theatre
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/scam-too-good-to-be-true
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-pinballmachinecenter-is-a-scammer
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-game-sales-
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-pinbalflipperscom-thrustworty
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-this-a-scam-it-must-be-
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/anyone-bought-from-arcadegamehousecom
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/question-kansas-thepinballcompanyus-legit
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/anyone-here-ever-buy-a-game-from-pinball-machine-center
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-game-gallery-
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/warning-fake-pinbot-ads-and-fishing-on-facebook
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/can-anyone-validate-this-site-as-legit
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/looking-for-feedback-on-seller-possible-scam-1
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinballmachinesstore-ummmmm
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-godzilla-pro-brand-new-494910-new-in-box-tnt-amusements
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/what-s-the-word-on-artifex
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/scammer-chris-giroux-aka-mike-shonevis
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/anyone-ever-see-their-house-in-a-scam-for-sale-ad
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/paypal-purchase
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/looking-for-buying-advice-1
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-fraudulent-ebay-sellers
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/any-experience-with-arcadepinballscom
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/possible-scam-oldiesgamesus
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/scammer-alert-5
- https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/thesilgoo-can-t-find-much-background
If you spot any additional sites or discussions, please feel free to add them to this thread.