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(Topic ID: 233142)

Pay a Premium for "Support?"

By lazyfatdog

5 years ago

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13 posts
11 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 5 years ago by lazyfatdog
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#1 5 years ago

???

I'm just starting the process I've finding my first pin. The stars have finally aligned around budget, space and wife's approval, so I'm sorting through all the various options and trying to figure out what exactly I want, where to get it, etc.

I wanted to run something by you guys just to make sure I'm not crazy:

I stopped by a local game room store to get a sense of inventory and prices, figuring that buying local would be easiest. They had a new MET pro (they are not a Stern dealer) and were asking approximately $7500. Pro, not premium or LE. After I noted that was about $2000 more than MSRP, he explained that the markup is because they will set it up, warranty it for 30 days, and then service it for as long as I own it. The service isn't free, but he's claiming that in the area (Charlotte) it is really difficult to find someone who will service your machine, so having them available to make house calls is really valuable.

This may make sense to some purchasers, but I don't see the value. Am I seriously underestimating the complexity and cost of maintaining a newer machine? To give you a sense of my skill set, I'm not a mechanical genius, but I've built plenty of gaming PCs and have rebuilt automotive and motorcycle engines.

#2 5 years ago

FEZ

Fezmid

Pinside member

9y 89,300 1,863

That's ridiculous. If it included lifetime support and maintenance, MAYBE, but you're paying $2k for "honor" of paying them more to come fix it? No thanks. You'll be able to find local folks that can help you out, and the forums are also invaluable. I came in with the same level of experience nearly 2 years ago, and a couple of months ago I rebuilt the flippers for my T2, so... It's hard, but it's not that hard.

#3 5 years ago

KOZ

KozMckPinball

Pinside member

7y 85,300 4,082 3

I can see an additional option for the support but built into the price? Nope. Look elsewhere.

#4 5 years ago

PAT

GorillaBiscuits

Pinside+ Frequent

8y 162K 4,214 23 1

I'm an idiot and I did just fine with my first machine, that guy is shady as hell!

Look for a nice HUO pro for around $4500-$5000 depending on color DMD and condition. The bonus is it will have any issues that pop up with a New In Box corrected (wonky switches etc...).

#5 5 years ago

AMH

chubtoad13

Pinside member

11y 107K 2,015 52

You shouldn’t need any support if you have any amount of mechanical or electrical aptitude. If you run into s problem, post here and you’ll get the help you need.
Of course the answer to whether or not you’ll be able to do it on your own depends on the issue. But the vast majority of issues are extremely basic.

#6 5 years ago

ZAP

Pinzap

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 119K 2,013 39 34

OP
Quoted from lazyfatdog:
To give you a sense of my skill set, I'm not a mechanical genius, but I've built plenty of gaming PCs and have rebuilt automotive and motorcycle engines.

In my eyes you ARE a mechanical genius. But either way, I’m not sure I’d pay $200 to get the services they’re selling, much less $2000. As said before, that’s ridiculous and quite frankly taking advantage of people who don’t know better.

#7 5 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,366 268 14

OP
Quoted from lazyfatdog:
Am I seriously underestimating the complexity and cost of maintaining a newer machine?

Nope. They're just over-charging.

Where are you located? You could check with some of the pinball distributors near you to see if they still have MET's in stock. If not, you could always go with a HUO game from a private seller.

#8 5 years ago

ACE

pinzrfun

Pinside+ Frequent

Belleville, MI

11y 90,300 4,310 20

I might expect some tweaking and adjusting on a brand new game, but as for actual repairs? In a home setting? Probably years down the road, even rebuilding the flippers.

Go elsewhere.

#9 5 years ago

???

lazyfatdog

Inactive member

Marvin, NC

5y 10,900 4

Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely going elsewhere, as I think the store catered more to impulse buyers. The IJ4 for $7500 was another turn off.

For years my dream was to own TAF, as I spent hours and hours playing that pin in college, but some of the newer (or new) Stern pins and Chicago Gaming remakes are looking really interesting.

#10 5 years ago

COZ

Coz

RiverCity Arcade

6y 125K 3,818

Don’t let that guy scam you, buy from a reputable distributor like @doughslingers. He’s based in VA but goes to NC a lot. I think Buddy just sold a nib Metallica for around $5k. Plenty of good help in the Carolina pinball and arcade Facebook group too

#11 5 years ago

DAD

PtownPin

Pinside member

6y 97,400 7,411 67 3

This guy is a total douche bag.....run for the hills....its a $5000 game...

#12 5 years ago

TSH

Travish

Pinside member

Greensboro, NC

11y 98,800 3,348 6

Run don't walk. Something tells me he's in Rock Hill?

#13 5 years ago

???

lazyfatdog

Inactive member

Marvin, NC

5y 10,900 4

Quoted from Travish:
Run don't walk. Something tells me he's in Rock Hill?

Inside 485, but not far from Rock Hill.

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