Question on how do the operator contracts work?
If I had a Pizza joint, bowling alley or whatever and wanted a few pins and video games in there but didn't want to buy the machines for whatever reason, I would contact the local vending machine company? My understanding is they would install the games and maintain them. Does the operator get all the money? Does the establishment get a percentage? What's typical? Always wanted to know.
I worked in a truck stop one time and the vendor would put the games in/half-ass maintain them and rotate some new ones in once in awhile and the take out of the coin-box was 50/50. I guess it was figured with using power/taking up retail space and such.
He left the coinbox key in one of the machines one night and we all made copies of it. He had all of his machines keyed the same!!!! Working the grave-yard shift was so swweeeeeeet after that!
Thanks, always wondered. Now I know why all the machines are charging $1 per game. Kinda. I figured they are using the same operator.
It always the same story .. too many machines .. too little room 
I tried the repair biz once but it became more of a hassle and less of a hobby. I think being a contract vendor would also be the same way. I like what I've done before and maldoror did recently: donate the machine(s) to a children's center or a center for abused women where there are children. The reward is greater than the small amount of profit and you always get a nice tax deduction for much more than you could sell it for.
"I like what I've done before and maldoror did recently: donate the machine(s) to a children's center or a center for abused women where there are children. The reward is greater than the small amount of profit and you always get a nice tax deduction for much more than you could sell it for."
Wow! You guys are INCREDIBLE! This is a fantastic thing you did and it is great to find people who have such amazing generosity. I have met a fair number of people in this hobby and there are, perhaps, too many that are not nice. Yet meeting you all, and seeing things like this that you all do, brings some warmth to say the least!
Much respect...
Ya, THAT's what should happen with a machine! Donations are always nice, I give to the Salvation Army once and awhile and it actually makes you feel good! Not so much money, because I don't even have enough of it, but clothes and furniture and such.
There is a another forum, that me and BD hate btw, and there is a guy asking people for suggestions on how to destroy a pinball machine! Can you believe that?
This is where its at! That's why I love this forum!! Awesome people here! 
That is a good idea. Someone donated a Volley to the local United Diabetes association chapter. They are trying to sell it for the money. I would donate my Future Spa but I don't think that is a good pin for the kiddos. I should donate it to the local prison.
Well I actually did not "donate" the machine, I put it on location there at .25 cents a play, the lady that runs the kids center is really strapped for money (she's a non profit) and any extra bit of money helps her pay the bills so the pin is making a little to help with that and keep the place open.
:]
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Idaho Springs, CO