I just came across what looks like an Avengers Pinball game that can be produced for US $180 - 999 new at 300 units/month by a company in China. This could potentially ruin the pinball industry in the US and UK. Has anyone come across a machine that might have originated from China?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Electric-hot-sale-pinball-Pinball-machine_1758522638.html

Ever since China entered the World trade organization, the U.S has closed 5000 factories per year. They thought back then that the Chinese were incapable of manufacturing quality goods at cheap prices. Today everything from the underwear and t-shirt you wear to computer electronics is manufactured in China. The Chinese manufacturing capability currently surpasses the U.S. To take a pinball machine like Medieval Madness, strip it down, and make exact duplicates is not far fetched. They easily have the capability to do so and at a price point sub $1000. The more labour intensive something is, the greater their advantage. Planetary Pinball could have easily contacted one of these companies instead of C.G. or Stern to take a Williams Pinball machine, copy it and re-release. I think we will see exact copies of the most popular pins coming from China in the near future. Pinball is not exempt from the same economic forces that drove any other manufactured good to China.

Here is a company that will take any design you have and will manufacture the pinball to exact specs. They have the facility and the manpower to crank out these thinks sub $1000. If Medieval Madness Remake LE is going for $8000 US and its virtually sold out in pre release, there is definately demand to release other titles at say $2000. when you factor in other ppl wanting to make a buck as well.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Amusement-pinball-game-machine-sterm-pinball_1876685356.html

If I had a million bucks I would probably have one of these companies make a limited release of a thousand pins. Exact duplicates of any of the top ten pins and sell them for $2000 each. Who wouldn't want a brand new Twighlight Zone or Addams Family for $2000. I would sell out within a year and make a cool million in profit.

There are companies in China that can recreate any pin you like if you have the coin to invest in about 1000+ units. They have the industrial base and the capabilities. People were talking 15 years ago about China not being able to make any descent products like irons and hair dryers. Look at them now. I really don't understand how Medieval Madness Remake could go for $8000. Electronics have become very cheap and the design is already done. Someone is making a buck and not the razor thin profits they have us believe.

mrgone your statements are contradictory. I am fully aware of manufacturing in America as well as the costs associated (Fixed vs Variable costs). When a product becomes more labor intensive the Chinese company has an advantage. Costs to produce goods in the U.S. are far too high to be competitive. That is why there is so little manufacturing in America today. Why do you feel that a pinball machine is any different than any other manufactured good?

How could you make such a statement? especially since you did so sitting in a chair most likely made in china, typing on a keyboard made in china and looking at a monitor that is made in china. If you want more info you can call someone on your made in china iPhone. China sent a person into space and should not be underestimated.

I feel a sense of Deja Vu. Many people actually think China can't produce a decent pin yet can send a man in orbit. I was in China 13 years ago when a U.S. high altitude spy plane crashed in China. The U.S. demanded it back. The Chinese stripped it down copied its components and gave it back to the U.S. They did it in less than one week. Time will tell but my money is that China will be a major player in the Pinball manufacturing over the next few years. It could either be in knock offs or it could be a legitimate person or company like Chicago coin or Stern who contracts them. Kinda like Apple with the iphones.

I think its a bit stereotypical to assume the Chinese have no creativity. One needs only visit Shanghai, Beijing or Honk Kong to see that they have tremendous creativity. Their cuisine, art, and culture are world famous. To make a fun pin would not be a problem at all for them. But if they do begin to make pins, maybe it would be a good thing assuming that they would be lower in price and ppl could affort a few more in their private collections.

Make it five and your on

That company custom builds machines.

HOMEPIN proved my point. If that pin is well made, reliable and most of all fun, I'll be getting my $100 from ovfdfireman sooner than expected.

I think its headed there.

Great deal if its legit.

Popbumberpete, how much is the thunderbirds pin gonna cost you in total?

I pre ordered a Medieval Madness LE for $8000 US. I sure that if that if it were made in China it would cost half that and have the same quality. My wife still isn't speaking to me since I ordered the pin.

That's actually the scary part. China first wiped out manufacturing throughout the western world to the point where we cant even make an underwear for ourselves then they can charge anything they like.

If people were generally willing to pay 15%-20% more for U.S. made goods I don't think Walmart would be a prominent as it is today. The fact that Walmart is China's second largest trading partner proves that the majority of people will drop patriotism for savings. Therefore a Chinese manufactured pinball machine could potentially be accepted with the same enthusiasm.

Chances are many of the components and replacement parts are made in China. Not sure what made in China pinball machine that you have experience with.

lol
I still can't believe people actually question if the Chinese can make a decent product. They can send a man into space but cant make a pinball machine?

Most of the time its the American companies that dictate the budget that the Chinese factories have to work with. Nike tells them that they have $15/ pair and that is what the Chinese deliver. The same holds true for all companies and you would be surprised how little they give the Chinese to work with. Give them the tools and they can make amazing things just as good as anyone else.

Then maybe it's a good thing if big companies make their pins in china just like all other electronics so pins can be cheaper and would attract more people to the hobby.

Their labour costs are much lower and pinball manufacturing is so labour intensive that China has a definite advantage. Maybe it will translate to quality lower cost pins. Consumers will win but the North American manufacturers will lose.

When the U.S. allowed China to enter the world trade organization President Clinton's intention was to open the billion plus people in China to American made goods. No one in the U.S.(except me ) ever considered that U.S. companies would close their shops, reopen in China and sell their goods back to the U.S. The result was the closure of 5000 factories per year and an ever increasing annual trade deficit ever since. This same scenario is hitting Canada as well as many of the European Union Countries. I don't understand how governments allow that to happen year after year.The incredible national debt is just one symptom. The real answer is to tax foreign made goods to the point that U.S. goods have an advantage. This would be wildly unpopular with other high manufacturing nations such as China but in the end will stop the hemorrhage of wealth. My fear is that it may be too late.

Interesting Doc on the subject.

Not discussing an issue will not make the problem go away unfortunately. Sometimes an open discussion is necessary to effect change. If we chose to ignore what is happening, Chinese manufactured pins will be inevitable.