here are some responses from distributors in a similar thread
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/jjp-or-distributor
Larry from Flip n Out
Buy from whoever you are comfortable. But food for thought. Does that person or company haul games to shows so that everyone might get a chance to play them? Its expensive to bring games to shows and a lot of work. JJP helps the local distributors sometimes with games for the shows but often its the local guy hauling his showroom games, setting them up, taking them down and then taking the loss of that game since its now out of the box and a demo. Does the distributor answer the phone on weekends and at night? Help with tech support if he can? Like I said buy from someone you trust and are comfortable in dealing but is price everything?
Larry
flipnoutpinball.com
Christopher from KingPin (me)
Couldn't have said it better myself flipnout1. I just got done doing 2 home remodel shows in the Madison, WI area. I will also be bringing games from Wisconsin to the Texas Pinball Festival and to the Midwest Gaming Classic. This is truly a labor of love. For the amount of time that is put in just to have someone buy from another distributor because "they are cheaper" is a slap in the face. I am all for finding the best deal, but the cheapest price isn't always the best deal. Check around. Games can be shipped from anywhere, what matters is service after the deal. What happens when you order a game from a distributor/manufacturer that only is around monday-friday 9am-5pm and you have an issue on a saturday morning? Most of the "smaller distributors" (like me) are answering our phones and responding to emails 7 days a week... some of us even do it for machines we didn't sell.
Christopher
KingPin Games
Authorized JJP Distributor
608-393-2299 cell
Jesse from Pincades
Well spoken by both of you fellas. (Both Great Dist.'s as well) I will agree with all those quotes, Especially setting up shows. That's on the dist. dime, its not cheap either when you figure travel, hotel, food, employee, all show expenses etc.
Pincades
Chicago Land JJP Dist.
JT
Joe from Pinball Star
Most distributors are hard working people IN the hobby. We do ADD a lot as prior posted stated...
Steve, thanks for the kind words... We always do try to have great pricing, games pre-bought in stock or ready to go at factory so no wait / quick shipping, and excellent service / communication before and after the sale... Equally pleased this post came from someone who isn't even a customer yet - very cool.. We work hard and do alot in the pinball community - huge booths at shows, parties, charity work, donations of prizes to tournaments, etc... so thank you... : )
Joe Newhart
PinballSTAR Amusements
[email protected]
As you can see, we all feel the same way. With the new pricing policies in place, the price from any distributor vs jjp direct should be the same. at the end of the day you just have to decide if you want to deal with a distributor (who might be available to answer the phone, email, facebook, etc) at 9:40pm cst on a sunday night, or directly with JJP (whom has great customer service). The other nice thing about dealing with a distributor is the fact that you can do a trade in if you like. JJP direct does not do that (that i am aware of).
Any way you cut it, just get a game and have fun with it. If you are coming to MGC (Midwest Gaming Classic) in Milwaukee this coming weekend I will have some fresh out of the box Dialed In Limited Editions available for play and to take home at show special pricing.
Powell, OH
Edmonton, AB
