This is the nicest T2 I have ever seen other than the NIB I set out on routes.

This HEP T2 went way beyond even the factory specifications. I do mean way beyond including rechroming parts like the gun handle, all NOS parts, and a brand new playfield.

I won't say what it cost, as I people can spend as much as they want.

I just watch the market now, in 5 years people will no longer have large collections of "Top 10" without much deeper pockets than anytime in the history of the hobby.
Cause and effect.

GLWS OP.

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HEP - High End Pins, as referred to restorations, not the company that used the wording for sales. The designation has been around much longer.

HEP originally was designated in the hobby for a machine that had games using NOS playfields / backglasses installed, complete cabinet overhauls with either new decals, silk screening, or stencils, every single metal part being tumble polished, under and on top of the playfield, board component replacement (bridge rectifiers and capacitors) even if there are no problems, along with rewiring and connectors if required.
This takes HUNDREDS of hours to do, not 100 hours or less.
Only a few companies and individuals do this (VERY FEW NOW), and the costs reflect the work, as the machine is essentially restored to factory condition NIB or beyond.

The term is now substantially abused, just like NIB and HUO, as it continues to be misrepresented.

He did not create the acronym.
He does not have a copyright or trademark to that acronym.
The acroynym was established long before, http://www.highendpins.com/
This acronym was used long before 2001.

He used it for his business title, which I do not have a problem with anyway, its a free enterprise in the United States.
I must assume it was an excellent choice for his business, as I am not privy to his finances or accounting.
Probably an outstanding choice, in fact.
He could not possibly be offended based on understanding of usage, as he knew that when the title was chosen.

He does great work, but other people have used HEP repeatedly in their sales (or PinSide) when:

1) It was not a HEP (acronym) style restoration
2) It was not restored by Christopher Hutchins.

Therein resides the issue, as stated.
This is no different than when Chad Keller was doing restorations and the people started throwing around "Keller restorations", that Chad never did.

Do you have access prior to "LBG"?
"Life Before Google".
Literally thousands of posts were lost in transition, but some can be find on other crawlers in bits and pieces.
Particularly news group postings in the early 90s.
They really did not do a good job in salvage.

Depends on when you first started being involved in the hobby.
I am not one some sort of "magic quest" of defiance in these forums, because this propagates useless arguments.

If collectors/historians/enthusiasts are interested on the full history of this term and when it was actually generated, feel free to PM.
This is not the right thread for this discussion.

GLWS OP.