Oklahoma City, OK
How bad is your playfield? Have you considered sending it to a playfield restoration specialist?
(Topic ID: 237367)
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Quoted from Mitch:Not many people will restore worn playfields anymore. And it they do it's very very expensive or a shitty job.
I’ve been told by numerous people that Keith Holbrook does good work. I’m sending him a playfield today. His quoted price was more than affordable.
While I’ve never bought a CPR playfield, I’d like to remind everyone this topic reminds me a considerable amount of the bashing that we as operators used to get for some of the repair jobs we did. It wasn’t because we were dumb or lazy at the time, it’s because in the 90’s, there were no internet marketplaces with a plethora of parts. Mouser and MCM etc existed, but you called an 800 number and ordered via COD. Shipping wasn’t as efficient as it is today. We had a local WPC distributor at the time, but they didn’t stock much. If you requested something to be ordered, 50% of the time the parts department got it done.
Now imagine needing a playfield in those days. You were basically at the mercy of dumb luck of someone walking in the door of your office with a junk game with good playfield they wanted to sell for quick cash.
I see both sides of the coin on this thread. Sometimes it sucks that you preorder and don’t get a playfield. It sucks that not every title is available. And honestly, it sucks what a playfield costs (it also sucks what all machines cost anymore) but at the same time, at least there’s CPR and Micro and whoever else making some playfields where we’ve got options when we need one.
Quoted from cottonm4:I won't disagree with you. But the only reason some of these old pins are being brought back to life is because the prices are in an area where you can fix the old girl up and not take a complete beating when you go to sell. People are appreciating and loving the nice, fun, playing pins. Items of value get taken care of. Items of no value wind up in the dumpster.
I don't know how long it will last, though. It seems that it is the baby boomers like me are driving the market. Especially for parts. I have nine 35 year old pins that I am working on restoring or fixing up. I have been buying all kinds of parts, paint, stencils, and tools, repro back glasses and inserts. When I am done with these then I am done except, for maintenance work.
Eventually, every pin that can be rebuilt will be rebuilt. No more play fields will be needed. Back glass demand will go through the floor. etc.
Ya, these ludicrous prices can’t last forever. Baseball cards, comic books and muscle cars all had the same fate. The truly rare, collectible and desired items will always be (Honus Wagner, Action #1, Boss 429, TAFG) but markets tend to correct themselves eventually be it financial crisis, over saturation, or lack of desire in the next generations.
On the other hand, pinball is hip, different, artistic and eco friendly so it’s more millennial than we probably realize. Maybe manufacturers need to focus on themes that will attract these millennials? Film noir? Music and band themes that aren’t their parents and grandparents music? Maybe Elvira 3 will be their turning point?
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Coffs Harbour, NS
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