Unfortunately, "shopping" is poorly used by resellers so it really has no meaning. It should mean the pin has been fully repaired, bulbs replaced as needed, rubbers replaced as needed, reasonably cleaned, and waxed.

It does not mean the same as restored. When I hear that, I expect the machine to be nearly like new and had a full tear down.

i agree

Shopping means the game is acceptably clean, no burnt out bulbs, good rubber and strong flippers. Also, there should be no outstanding functional issues.
Essentially, the condition a conscientous operator should ideally get a machine to before being placed on location.
That doesn't necessarily guarantee no cracked plastic or cosmetic issues.

Also there is "shopped" and FULLY shopped.

Walking by the machine (within 3 feet) with a rag in the "certified pinball tech's" hand (pocket doesn't count).

Robert

Words have meanings. The term "shop job" means simply that a game is brought in from it's route location to the shop for repairs and cleaning to the degree it's functional and satisfactory to be put back into it's location. Period.

The term comes from the original purpose and purveyors of the games, ie, to be used on locations and managed by a route operator.

Prior to the collector and home market the term implied nothing more than the above. Now, of course, we have attempted to expand the meaning of "shopped" to include steps that were likely never taken by an operator. Since "shopped" is a bit ambiguous for us collector types it's probably best to just clearly define the steps we have taken to rejuvenate a game rather than use the muddy term "shopped". In fact I see more people doing that now anyway.

Excellent informative post Cliffy!

I never knew the origin of the term "shop job", now I do.

_{Post edited by RobT}

You're more than welcome Indeed, when I see an ad for a game "recently shopped" I instantly picture mucky streaks from windex and paper towels. I'd almost rather see the ad that says "needs shopped", although that one grinds my nerves because of the incredibley LAZY grammar Seriously? How hard is it to add "to be" anyway? =P

Thanks for posting Cliffy, like you said it is a muddy term. I was always curious of what other collectors view what 'shopped' is.

The OP has a great point, the term 'shopped' gets tossed around quite a bit in this hobby, its actually amazing how ambiguous it can be between fellow collectors.

Well said Cliffy.

Amen brother... couldn't have said it better. Unfortunately the norm to most sellers (of anything in general, not pins specifically) is something akin to a political statement. Lots of ambiguous words that sound good but don't mean jack shit.

It depends on who's shopping it

Or the form of the word be as in it be shopped or I be shopping it.

Then there is Fully shopped and Folly shopped as in "Man that flipper sure folly shopped this turd."
Watch out for these guys, they will toss a York peppermint patty in the coindoor and call it "minty fresh."
Flippers rebuilt means I left the blown up pop nest and the rest of the tired mechs for you.
See Eturd.

When I shop a game I...

Remove and clean all plastics
Remove all ramps and clean them
Replace all rubbers
Replace blackened or burned out bulbs
Clean playfield with Novus 1 including hidden areas
Replace plastic posts (if needed)
Resleeve flipper coils and clean cranks
Resleeve other coils if needed
New GI connectors

For us there's normally no reason to replace/re-foam targets unless they're causing crazy airballs or something. We don't wax either, our games are players' machines and we run a company budget.