So if theres no visual damage to the box (or boxes if u include the topper) do you open the box and inspect before accepting?

I totally understand that scenario....I was just wondering if you open the box if theres no visual damage. I've never opened the box if theres no sign of external damage so was wondering if thats not a good process.

No we are all good Robert, sorry if it came across that way. I just wanted to explain to folks that sometimes we have to go on what we are told. Things happen so sometimes it appears that we are collecting money way before we need it. I hate it when I tell someone they need to send me money asap and then they don't get a game. But think about this. If I don't get your money before I have the game it sits in the warehouse waiting. I try and ask for payment approximately two weeks before it ships. I know everyone is looking to get the new game as quickly as possible so I don't want to be the guy who is delaying shipment while I'm waiting on you to pay. Its a pain as a dealer to keep track of deposits and who has paid and who hasn't etc. Much simpler if you call me, order the game and I ship it that day. But that is the way it is and part of my job so we try and make it as painless as possible to all involved. Trust me, I wish I didn't have to answer the texts, phone calls and emails asking where is my game.

A distant "Cousin" to my LE moved in today

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I ALWAYS open and inspect before I sign. I had a Dialed-In that looked ok from the outside, but was smashed inside from a drop. NEVER sign before you open and inspect. If the driver is in a hurry then tell him you are either taking the time to let me open this or you can just take it back. Because once you sign you have little recourse because they would just say you dropped it trying to set it up or something. ALWAYS open and inspect.

I've never gotten a NIB game before. How do you open it to inspect it without making to box impossible to move?

When I got my TNA I just took off the outer box and checked for any side art or cabinet damage, as well as checked to confirm the glass wasn't shattered or anything.

Stern/JJP games are not packaged like Spooky does. You can't just easily slip off the outer carton. Not sure how CGC does it.

I'm sure this is exactly the safest route. So when you inspect do you cut the box all up? Typically I open the top, and then cut the box on two sides and then install the front legs. I'm wondering how far u take it?

I open it all the way. open the top, cut open all 4 sides and inspect.

When mine was delivered, box looked fine. I told delivery guy my distributor said to not accept until I opened it and inspected it, but the delivery guy said no dice. He said if the box looks fine (which it did) he would not wait around for me to open it. If I didn't want to sign, he had no problem leaving with it in his truck. Everything was fine. It was my first NIB delivery, so I didn't know who to listen to, but delivery guy won that battle.

Return their money then if the game isn't truly ready no? Not sure why someone is still out of their full payment and waiting months later.

Added a little more color to my Monster Bash CE by way of Titan rubbers. Not needed, but just can’t keep a pin stock. Nice compliment to this great game. Very happy with this pin. And wow, what a sound software update! Thought I was going to blow my speakers! Had volume at 22 before update. Sounded good. Now with the update I have the volume at 4! Sound is very clear. Can’t wait to install the pinball pro speakers I ordered for it! Should have them by this weekend!

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I agree, but the good news with CGC is u know your probably going to get the game at some point. Its clearly a cash flow issue with the distributors. So do the manufactures offer terms to distributors or expect full payment prior to delivery? That being said I understand the distributor doesn't want to put out the cash, but if he already has a sale who gives a shit if he or she is out the balance for a week until he/she gets paid.

Another option in that case is tell the driver you will note on the bill of lading that he refused to let you open and inspect the contents for damage. Then sign it. Might have some recourse then if there is hidden damage.

Freight companies are notorious for not giving a shit about how they treat your multi-thousand dollar item.

Thats a good idea....when mine arrives I'm going to cut it open and inspect....

If someone wants their money back no problem, just ask. If the customer wants me to wait until I physically have the game no problem. I make no interest on money sitting in my account for a little longer. But realistically, depending on how someone paid, is it worth it? Did they do a wire transfer. Do they want to pay that fee again? Did they write a check? Now they have to wait for me to return their money via check and then send in another check shortly (we hope) after that. I've never had anyone ask for their money back that was waiting because of a factory delay of a few weeks or even a month or two. Cancellations sure because they didn't want to wait a year for the game we all thought was coming but ended up being way way longer than that.

So if someone out there has a better crystal ball let me know but no one can predict exactly what will happen.

On recipt of my machine, I will follow the procedure that my distributor outlines for to me to follow. They have a lot of experience handling deliveries of machines, and I trust they will inform me of everything I should know when dealing with the delivery driver, the BOL, and any damamge claims and required documentation when damage is uncovered during the inspection process. I believe you have like a 15 to 30 minute inspection window once the shipment arrives to inspect.

I think you hit the nail on the head - if someone wants their money back, they can get it back no questions. That is the key part. It's good to hear that would happen by you if someone asked. That's all I would ask for if I was doing business with you.

Ouch! Hurst me just looking at it. What version? That would certainly ruin my new year...how are they handling it?

I still haven't heard on my LE (ordered in October), but they still haven't asked for more than the deposit yet anyway.

well stated....its clearly only an issue for the impatient buyer (like myself)....I get u are at the mercy of what the manufacturer tells u.....as great as CGC is they are always behind the eight ball in regards to manufacturing. They really need to do a better job of communicating a realistic production schedule to the distributor. The only company that really delivers on time is Stern.....they are just way ahead of CGC, JJP, and all the others when it comes to manufacturing. Nobody is even close to competing.

So this is precisely how my Frank problem started out of the box, first game. Did exactly this the first couple times, and it worked just fine each time after opening it up. Did this several times the first day. Second day is when it would no longer raise up.

And yes I still have the drain protector issue going on, and now also scoop eject issues - STDM half the time.

Its not the money (at least for me)....I thinks more frustration...also bad business in general....you are absolutely 100% correct....waiting until their actually for sale completely eliminates the issue.....

Just placed my order for an SE! Expected to ship tomorrow. I was "heavy lean" to the CE until I saw the SE in person this afternoon. Just couldn't expect the CE to make me happy after that. My first NIB since my GB Premium nightmare (don't ask- not what you think).

Side orders placed from Kerry at Mantis for Mosh pit, target decals from pinball decals, and soon from Cliff for the proverbial cliffys (I understand the "CGCys" aren't so hot?). Any other key buys needed? Not as key, but hopefully will track down some mirror blades locally this weekend.

I got some cabinet protectors for around the flipper buttons. I also am interested in some mirrors ... I spoke with CoinTaker and they said they are getting some new ones cut for this game... apparently the stock ones are slightly off for the remake (not sure exactly what’s different)... so I’m waiting for them.

Thanks for sharing these!!

Looks great! Any variation in color or 100% UV?

I thought my frank was fixed, but it’s still happening about 1 in 5 games, he just stays up. I filed a ticket, the reply was to check for anything sticking (already did that), and add oil to the metal. I guess I’ll try that next.

Also might be worth lifting the playfield and checking all the wiring harnesses that connect the motor and limit switches to the PCB...
Just make sure they look well assembled are properly seated onto their PCB headers.

Ordered mine through PPS and got an email last night saying mine would be shipping in the next batch of LE's in late January/1st week of February. Mine is a matching # (#600). Somehow I never received the email to pay the final balance in early Dec, so I got a phone call from Sarah and paid a week late. Maybe why mine was delayed? Though I am happy to wait so hopefully they have the minor bugs some of you are having worked out. Wondering if it will ship with the new update...

DSL

Next batch? Does this mean they're stopping LE production for a while?

I received notice yesterday that my LE, (in the 400's) will be shipped on Friday).
I just received a call from Dayton Freight that they will be here in about 1/2 hour. The odd thing is, it's not my pinball machine. Apparently, they shipped my topper separately.

Im curious how well Frank registers hits - I have an original MB but seem to have about 50% of shots to Frank not register. The switch is working fine, I think it may be alignment-related, but I'm not sure whether or not that's just normal. Does Frank generally register most shots on the new games? thx!

I have around 160 plays on mine and I've never noticed Frank hits not registering. I can say that so far, my game has no issues to speak of. Playfield is holding up well and even the hole protector is not too bad, though its certainly not in as good of shape as Cliffys I've had installed on other games. The whole game shoots very clean.

I was wrong....The package I received was a Kennedy toolbox that I had ordered.

Next batch to PPS. I'm in same boat.

Thats pretty strange....usually the topper is strapped to the top of the box. CGC is way behind schedule in building the matching LE's. I was told on 12/26 that mine would ship in two weeks (I'm in the mid 500's). Clearly thats not gonna happen.

It wasn't my topper. It wound up being a Kennedy roll-around toolbox I had ordered.

Id come equipped with a $20 in your back pocket to tip him for his patience in advance in case of any problems.

If he still insists I cant stay I'll just take it, just let him take it.

You might be delayed your game an extra a day or two, but I'm sure you can talk to his supervisor also if need be.

Ultimately, I wouldn't sign on the dotted line in this day and age till you've confirmed the game is OK-
That includes cabinet, playfield glass, side rails, and turning it on.

Williams Logo: Hey thanks Ricochet for making these BMP's. I had a hell of a time getting my MaC to format the SD to FAT 32. For some reason it kept defaulting to straight FAT without an option and it would not mount in the pin. My el-cheapo Windows note book simply kept creating new partitions. So, if anyone is having problems getting the FAT32 format with your MAC disk utility, I suggest using ApplePi-Baker. Once I formatted with that app (and renamed the bmp file) it loaded like a champ. You have to use applePI-baker to update the software on MB if you have a MAC anyway. Again, thanks Ricochet for the effort. It's a nice touch to have the Williams LOGO on the back box.

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So according to my friend in shipping, unless stated otherwise in the carrier contract, any shipper must allow an inspection upon delivery per the Carmack Amendment. This includes breaking down and inspecting for hidden damage. The inspection window is typically 15 to 30 minutes. All damage found must be noted on both copies of the BOL, and both signed by driver and recipient. This is federal law. But the carrier contract overrides any CA clauses which might apply, including limiting damages and the amount of time to claim them. READ your carrier contract carefully was his advice.

The only problem I see with this is the turning the machine on part. It's pretty cold here in Indy right now. I would never attempt to turn on a machine until I know that it's gotten to room temperature.

I agree I wouldn't turn on a cold game. But for the other steps - let's say you break down the boxes and find an issue. What then? How does the delivery guy take back the unit without a box? Just loads up the game as is and throws the box parts in the back of the truck?