For sale: Kiss (Premium/LE) (Stern, 2015)

9y 27,900 495 5

Quoted from BoozeMarlin:
Dust

Well played sir.

#5 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

My dealer is $1k less than this.

#6 8 years ago

DTF

Doostur

Inactive member

9y 27,900 495 5

Quoted from RobT:
My dealer is $1k less than this.

Rule of thumb. Take 33% off GAP prices for msrp or actual going rate.

#7 8 years ago

DAD

PW79

Inactive member

Wentzville, MO

12y 102K 7,501 6 6

Quoted from RobT:
My dealer is $1k less than this.

Yes but for $1000 more GAP will ignore your PM's & emails

#8 8 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

Pincinnati

10y 193K 31,342 16 13

Quoted from PW79:
Yes but for $1000 more GAP will ignore your PM's & emails

I don't have any experience with GAP but I definitely LOLed on this one. That doesn't happen often. Well played sir.

#9 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

Quoted from chuckwurt:
I don't have any experience with GAP but I definitely LOLed on this one. That doesn't happen often. Well played sir.

It's only funny because it's true.

#10 8 years ago

TRG

TomGWI

Pinside member

12y 143K 10,945 156

Quoted from RobT:
My dealer is $1k less than this.

Holy crap!

#11 8 years ago

DOG

Whysnow

Pinside member

12y 187K 35,338 30 1

I can't imagine ever buying from this distributor. I have tried a few times in the past to buy used games and he will often just drop off from all communication mid exchange and never return.

If that is the service provided when trying to buy a game, I would not want to risk the service when there is an actual issue.

#12 8 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member

If GAP had a poor service history with people that have bought a game from him, I doubt he'd be in business still.

Id have no issues buying from him.

Sell away GAP!

#13 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

Quoted from Whysnow:
I can't imagine ever buying from this distributor. I have tried a few times in the past to buy used games and he will often just drop off from all communication mid exchange and never return.
If that is the service provided when trying to buy a game, I would not want to risk the service when there is an actual issue.

I had the exact same experience.

#14 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

Quoted from centerflank:
If GAP had a poor service history with people that have bought a game from him, I doubt he'd be in business still.

Yep, the fact that he's in business proves he is a good seller!

#15 8 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member

Quoted from RobT:
Yep, the fact that he's in business proves he is a good seller!

You could ask his customers....even if he cut off communication with a potential buyer doesn't mean he doesn't follow up with warranty repair on games sold.

edit----He's getting repeat business from locals (Im assuming). Lots of $ in the Chicago area.

#16 8 years ago

BTW

btw75

Inactive member

Round Rock, TX

10y 74,400 3,098 6 23

I bought my Tron from him and was very pleased. The price was very competitive, but as all should know a distributor can't advertise anything except msrp.

#17 8 years ago

KHS

ZenTron

Pinside member

Concord, NC

10y 104K 2,292 3

Not enough business to prevent him from posting here..

#18 8 years ago

KHS

ZenTron

Pinside member

Concord, NC

10y 104K 2,292 3

MSRP is $8795

#19 8 years ago

WOZ

PanzerFreak

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 123K 12,934 19

Quoted from centerflank:
If GAP had a poor service history with people that have bought a game from him, I doubt he'd be in business still.
Id have no issues buying from him.
Sell away GAP!

I'm glad he's been good to you and recently. I purchased a used game from him years ago on Ebay, one of my firsts, and there was a gouge down to the wood on the playfield yet the playfield was rated a 9/10...I mentioned the issue and it was suggested to touch it up with paint and I wasn't even offered a small refund...Ridiculous. I picked up the game at a show and it was already packed up so I hauled (my fault without checking it out) it away. I wasn't offered a discount due to the issue but when I later sold the game (issue touched up) I mentioned it to the next buyer. I wasn't going to ever bring this up but the JJP "Dust" jab the other day pushed me over the edge.

#20 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

Quoted from centerflank:
edit----He's getting repeat business from locals (Im assuming). Lots of $ in the Chicago area.

There must be to pay those prices!

#21 8 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/playfield-touchup-and-clear-by-gap-fail

Quoted from PanzerFreak:
I'm glad he's been good to you and recently.

Ive never bought from him.....I wouldn't hesitate to buy a NIB from GAP if the price was right for me.

edit----

I mentioned the issue and was told to touch it up with paint and wasn't even offered a small refund...Ridiculous.

I would agree, thats ridiculous.

For new guys, just remember to always look games over when you inspect them for pickup

#22 8 years ago

WOZ

PanzerFreak

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 123K 12,934 19

Quoted from centerflank:
Ive never bought from him.....I wouldn't hesitate to buy a NIB from GAP if the price was right for me.

If the price is good I may too. That issue I had was long ago and just hurt. I think things have changed as I personally haven't heard another story like mine. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he continues to sell many games.

#23 8 years ago

SMW

Razorbak86

Pinside member

9y 89,300 2,069

I won't pretend to speak for everyone in the Chicago area, but I personally have mixed feelings about Great American Pinball (GAP). On the one hand, GAP is very close to me -- about 30 minutes drive due north of my house -- so that is very appealing. On the other hand, Mike's prices are notoriously high, he's difficult to connect with, and his reputation is a little flaky. Conceptually, I'd like to support a local retailer, but Mike's not making it easy.

Personal anecdote: I tried to visit Mike's shop one weekend about 6 months ago to see his inventory and hopefully buy a pin. So I set up an appointment. Before I was about to leave, Mike called me back to reschedule. Something had come up. So I postponed my plans to accommodate. Then a few hours later, he called to reschedule again. Bottom line, we never connected. I ended up driving to Milwaukee the next day, committed to a purchase from a Pinsider there, and we coordinated delivery the following weekend.

I'm not opposed to buying from GAP, but Mike needs to understand the importance of communications and scheduled visits.

I may live close by, but it doesn't seem like I'm in his target market.

#24 8 years ago

SVS

DJSLYKE

Inactive member

Streamwood, IL

10y 25,650 87 1

I'm also a member of "The Land of Forgotten Emails and Private Messages" and I'm only two towns/cities away. I'm getting my first NIB from Trent, hopefully it'll arrive early next week. MET pro time!

#25 8 years ago

DAN

egyptrus

Pinside+ Frequent

Muskego, WI

11y 75,150 1,637 15

Quoted from Razorbak86:
Personal anecdote: I tried to visit Mike's shop one weekend about 6 months ago to see his inventory and hopefully buy a pin. So I set up an appointment. Before I was about to leave, Mike called me back to reschedule. Something had come up. So I postponed my plans to accommodate. Then a few hours later, he called to reschedule again. Bottom line, we never connected. I ended up driving to Milwaukee the next day, committed to a purchase from a Pinsider there, and we coordinated delivery the following weekend.

I think I know that pinsider!

Dave

#26 8 years ago

JLM

jlm33

Pinside member

Villejuif

11y 152K 5,892 7 169

OP
Quoted from GAP:
Price: $ 8,195

I thought Stern prevented its resellers to list prices. Until now it was "call for details". Change of policy?

#27 8 years ago

CAT

DCFAN

Pinside+ Frequent

Chantilly, VA

12y 148K 12,776 34

#28 8 years ago

SMW

Razorbak86

Pinside member

9y 89,300 2,069

Quoted from egyptrus:
I think I know that pinsider!
Dave

Yep, Mike's loss, your gain!

#29 8 years ago

JFH

jfh

Pinside+ Addict

10y 161K 10,140

Quoted from Whysnow:
I can't imagine ever buying from this distributor. I have tried a few times in the past to buy used games and he will often just drop off from all communication mid exchange and never return.
If that is the service provided when trying to buy a game, I would not want to risk the service when there is an actual issue.

Only dropped communication mid-exchange? You must be on their priority list!

I never got that far.

#30 8 years ago

SCT

nicoga3000

Pinside+ Frequent

Avon, IN

10y 73,550 2,202 1 7

I bought an X-Men LE from Mike at GAP a while ago. It was priced right and I had a really good overall experience. I guess it really is case by case on things. If you CAN get in touch via phone, I would imagine he would, at the very least, match NIB prices from other distributors?

#31 8 years ago

DAV

DaveH

Pinside+ Frequent

Boston, MA

11y 121K 7,881 21 13

Quoted from BoozeMarlin:
Dust

It was that comment (GAP made this comment about what was on the line at JJP), that make me think GAP is not very professional. I've never bought from GAP, but I never had anything against GAP. However a Stern distributor saying that against another manufacturer made me think as soon as I read it that I wouldn't order from GAP.

Look, there are a lot of good distributors here. Everyone has their favorites. But that comment bugged me because if Jack had said it there would be an all out assault against him (well, another all out assault against him). GAP should be held to the same standards.

Quoted from nicoga3000:
If you CAN get in touch via phone, I would imagine he would, at the very least, match NIB prices from other distributors?

So wouldn't they all. Just like every car dealer on the planet.

#32 8 years ago

JIM

BackFlipper

Pinside+ Addict

Sugar Grove, IL

12y 104K 2,174 17 34

For what it's worth, I have purchased about 20 games from Mike over the last 4-5 years and I have not had any problems with him. In fact, he has bent over backwards to help me with any problems I have had with games. He has even come to my house to fix things personally. There have been a couple of times where he did not immediately respond to a call, text, or email, but he has always responded to me within a reasonable time. That's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

#33 8 years ago

Blackbeard

Pinside member

12y 106K 12,104 6 20

GAP

Grossly Appreciated. Prices.

#34 8 years ago

PRH

rockrand

Pinside+ Frequent

Bloomfield, MI

11y 84,800 3,523 1 1

Quoted from RobT:
My dealer is $1k less than this.

You can get a le for 7195,wow I am 7700 shipped,Good for you

#35 8 years ago

JIM

dtowndobe

Inactive member

Plumsteadville, PA

10y 47,650 468 4

FWIW, the only pin currently in my possession is from Mike/GAP. Very happy with the purchase. Communication was sometimes a little difficult, but he did everything he said he would and I couldn't be happier. This purchase was for a used game, delivered to me back in Feb 2014.

#36 8 years ago

TRG

TomGWI

Pinside member

12y 143K 10,945 156

For what it is worth I am happy dealing with GAP. I also had difficulty at first reaching Mike when I first started with him. GAP us not his 9-5 job and it can be difficult to reach him during the day. If you had bad communication in the past I would say give him a second chance.
He has been extremely fair to me on prices for games and I have bought several NIB Stern titles from him. The $7200 is a great price on Kiss LE but sounds like the major distributors are a few hundred above that price.
As for JJP, Mike actually has a WOZ but is frustrated with the lack of Hobbits coming out from my understanding.
Just my 2 cents.

#37 8 years ago

DAD

PW79

Inactive member

Wentzville, MO

12y 102K 7,501 6 6

What do the premums run?

Sure, I could ask a distro but I don't want to be a tirekicker right now knowing I won't buy the game right now.

Just curious, thanks

#38 8 years ago

AMC

Krakatoa

Pinside member

Framingham, MA

11y 63,400 363 81

Quoted from PW79:
What do the premums run?
Sure, I could ask a distro but I don't want to be a tirekicker right now knowing I won't buy the game right now.
Just curious, thanks

Around $6300/6400 shipped depending on distributor.

#39 8 years ago

DAD

PW79

Inactive member

Wentzville, MO

12y 102K 7,501 6 6

Nice, thanks mang

#40 8 years ago

CJM

cjmjmm2006

Starport

10y 107K 2,185 143

$7195 shipped it's incredible. I buy a lot of games and never seen numbers that low on any popular LEs.

#41 8 years ago

ROB

RobT

Pinside member

Quoted from cjmjmm2006:
$7195 shipped it's incredible. I buy a lot of games and never seen numbers that low on any popular LEs.

For clarification, I never said that that price included shipping.

#42 8 years ago

LWJ

reynolds531

Pinside+ Frequent

Denver, CO

9y 51,650 347 13

Quoted from TomGWI:
For what it is worth I am happy dealing with GAP. I also had difficulty at first reaching Mike when I first started with him. GAP us not his 9-5 job and it can be difficult to reach him during the day. If you had bad communication in the past I would say give him a second chance.
He has been extremely fair to me on prices for games and I have bought several NIB Stern titles from him. The $7200 is a great price on Kiss LE but sounds like the major distributors are a few hundred above that price.
As for JJP, Mike actually has a WOZ but is frustrated with the lack of Hobbits coming out from my understanding.
Just my 2 cents.

I just bought an NIB ACDC premium from him. Given the difficulty in finding one, his price was very competitive. It arrived with a broken shooter (modded) and when I informed him of this he offered to send me a better one. So far, so good.

#43 8 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Quoted from RobT:
For clarification, I never said that that price included shipping.

Half the fun is picking it up

#44 8 years ago

ARS

asay

Pinside member

9y 46,050 991

Quoted from jlm33:
I thought Stern prevented its resellers to list prices. Until now it was "call for details". Change of policy?

They can list the MSRP I believe, but not (much?) less.

#45 8 years ago

???

jeffgoldstein2

Pinside member

Hawthorn Woods, IL

12y 91,550 2,065 20 51

I have bought 6 games from him within the last couple years and never had a problem. He has been great to work with.

#46 8 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member