Return the PIN!!!

And dime out the company!

I'm sorry but you got ROBBED!

A very nice 100% working DESW is a 2500 dollar pin. Sounds like overlays are holding up the ball, not good. Post some pictures.

Where are you located? Maybe someone lives close and could help. I hope everything works on the pin. The cord being electrical taped is over the top.

That vinyl may be vinyl or Mylar placed there to stop wear OR they are overlays that have playfield art printed on them to cover major playfield wear.

Look very close at them, if they are clear and you want to remove them then a hairdryer or freeze spray and some Goo Gone will work. Do a search on mylar removing in the forum and you'll learn a lot about it.

If they are not clear cover ups to stop wear, then you may have an overlay and those you do not want to remove. When they are done correctly they should be very thin and clearcoated.

Yeah, dude, you got robbed. DE SW is nowhere near a $4495 game in general. To have the issues you are mentioning is bad business. I'd demand a refund and return including shipping expenses. That is not at all as advertised from what it sounds. If they don't want to do it, I'd threaten a claim with the BBB. That is unacceptable behavior from any business owner.

I understand retailers like to markup games, but if you advertise it as "restored" or "refurbished", it shouldn't have these issues.

I would ask for a rebate of 2k. That is just incredible that they would do that. Frekin cracked pop caps...wow I am truly sorry.

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/fs-data-east-star-wars-2

Case in point, you paid LOTR HOU prices for a $2K pin if it were in VG shape, $1200-1400 in what you describe.

Regarding the stickers, Patofnaud's advice is the advice I'd give.

What you really need to do is see if you can return the game or get money back from the seller. Even if you have to pay return shipping, you'll be ahead in the long run. If you paid with a credit card, you may still have some recourse.

If the stickers are on top of the 'STAR WARS' text that is near the flippers, I believe that is stock. Just a strange thing with Data East that I've seen occasionally.

Did it at least include the new ROM from last December?

www.pinballcode.com

I am in perfect sympathy. SW was the first pin we bought. We got it from a dealer and, in ignorance, paid far above market price. The dealer himself is a likeable guy who is a very capable technician as well as seller, and I understand that he has to make a profit to stay in business (plus he offered a warranty, which mattered to us at the time). Still, it is painful to realize how much we could have saved had be bought the pin from another collector. As one of my friends tells me on such occasions, "Education is expensive."

Fortunately, I do like the pin, especially with the new ROM. But prices would have to rise for years before I could ever get back out of it close to what I have in it. (I also had to replace some of the plastics, added Cliffys, and I put some other money into LEDs, etc. Live and learn.) I just have to consider it a sunk cost and move on.

I am not unsympathetic toward dealers, although yours seems an exception. I am genuinely grateful they (reliable ones, that is) exist. A lot of people might never get into the hobby without them, and the repair service they offer is essential to many new buyers. I just wish the margins weren't so darned high. Perhaps they have to be for dealers to cover overhead and to make a living. I am sure they would say that is the case. But it can be rough finding yourself on the other side of that transaction.

F him use the leverage of the credit card!!!!! Offering you 3k after you spent 1500 more then that plus whatever you were raped for shipping???

This guy is a D-BAG!

Consider that your game is probably worth about $2500 if you tried to sell it. Plus you would not pay for the shipping if you ever sold it.

But can you post a few pics so we can see what condition it is in?

PLEASE if he doesn't make things right, let others know his name, location and business. I am terribly sorry you got taken, but I believe it is cool to try and help others avoid paying astronomical prices for pins!! I am selling my SWDE to help fund RAZA or another machine and mine is a solid 9 - 9.5/10 and I am letting it go for less than half of what you paid...

As others have said, post some pics...perhaps there are people near by that can lend a hand in person, or offer their "expertise" through this forum.

Good luck, and may the force be with you!

WOW! That seller is shady!!! That has to be the thickest mylar out there! It is probably blaster proof!
The cabinet is a mess!! There are many nicer examples that go for half the price.
Not trying to rain on you, but get all of your money back INCLUDING shipping!! Did you buy it sight unseen? Did the seller send you photo's before hand?
Good luck to you my friend, go get 'em!

Sorry to hear about your troubles.. I personally wouldn't give the seller another chance. I'd fight for a full refund and shop elsewhere. *shrug* Hope it all works out for you.

Could this be the seller?
http://www.thepinballcompany.com/star-wars-pinball-machine.aspx

I feel your pain, my first pin was an over priced DE SW and I was also ripped off with it. The seller claimed it had undergone alot of work with over $900 spent on doing it up. The truth was quite different. broken plastics though out, missing light globes, missing globe holders, missing playfield rubbers, flippers held together with nails (yep thats right, nails), nails jambed into connectors, R2D2 motor not working, Deathstar target motor not working, burnt our DMD, broken and cut wires all over the place and numerous other issues. So your not alone. Live and learn, it'll never happen to me again and I bet it will never happen to you again either.
Good luck with it all and I hope it all works out well for you.

What in the hell are you doing to help the friggin' community by not giving the name of the seller?

It's pussified attitudes like this that will just lead to more people getting screwed. What are you afraid of?

You were screwed. Why are you protecting him? So he'll be able to screw others?

Honest to fking god, out the slime balls in this hobby!

That isn't a decal or mylar on top of those inserts. The inserts are raised and are causing the ball to hang. This can be fixed with heat and pressure, then lock the insert in place from underneath with water thin superglue. I use a hairdryer to heat them and soften the glue, then a block of wood and mallet to pound them back flat. I mention this so you know that this is a fixable problem and not unrecoverable damage. I had visions of the inserts being chipped and a thick cheap decal slobbered over the top.

Anyway, the insert issue is pretty minor compared to what I can see of the side of the backbox. Even in good condition you overpaid for the game so sending it back is for the best.

That power cord is just a fire hazard. Who knows what lurks under that electrical tape. That would be the first thing I replace.

"Stock Photo Shown" LOL

DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER PIN from this nut! The issues will just be better hiden! Get a refund end of story. They are raised inserts and raised pretty bad. That cabinet is a piece of crap. If I was to make an offer for that pin it would be no more then 1k with all of its issues and condition blemishes. Do yourself a favor and just get your money back!

When you get pictures of a second pin post them here so guys can help you with value and condition but I say don't do it just get $ back!!!

AND out this guy so no-one else gets screwed like you did.

Yikes man, that sucks!

Your nicer then me. What he did wasn't a mistake! He was trying to rip you off. 4400+ for that pin was about 4x more then the pin is worth and it had many many issues. Complete rip-off aimed at you hoping you had no idea what was wrong with it.

Before you decide on the next game he tries "selling" you, pass the photos through here and we will all be able to give you some advice on issues and pricing! Good luck!!

Definitely faded....ask for closer pics (shooter lane, SOL hole) etc...

Also around the flippers, playfield plastics, close ups of boards and underside of playfield.

9G for THAT game....he must be high on drugs.

I understand profit margin....but I also understand insanity! I have seen some beautiful AFM's sell on this site for similar pricing.
I think you nailed it on the head...with this seller, you have no idea what to expect when you get this machine...maybe this one won't even have a power cord!
I would never attempt to tell you how to spend your money, but in my opinion, and in this world, trust is everything. To me, that seller has no need to be trusted ever again. You got hosed on a SWDE, now you are going to spend twice the money...(plus all shipping costs on the SWDE) with this seller in hopes that this machine is in better condition? How does that saying go? Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice.......just saying.

If I was you I'd insist on my money back and keep a look out here on pinside for a nice example. Hobbiests tend to maintain and improve their machines condition because they love there machines and they're not thinking about the $'s. Guys like the one your currently dealing with only see $ signs. Get your money back and run.

Why you would spend 9K on that POS when you could get a beautiful SM for 6K or so. Just my 2 cents.

Your not doing yourself or anyone else a favor by not naming where you got the Pin from.
You got shafted already. Now the guy wants to sell you an AFM for 9K?
Double the money you paid for the DESW!
So are you really going to send the guy another $4K plus?

Do yourself a favor. Tell us what Pin you are looking for and your location.
Then Folks here will help you find and purchase that Pin for a fair price.

And again do us and yourself a favor by letting us know who sold you the DESW .

I have to agree with most here. Send back the DESW , get ALL your money back and run away from this seller as fast as you can and use the resources here to find a good pin at a fair price!

I felt sorry for you but now, I'm not as much. Why continue with someone who tried to RIP YOU OFF??? Get your money back then out this guy....He is praying on the people who know nothing about pins. I guess if money means nothing then continue to play with this guy but I guarantee the AFM is just as much a piece of crap as the SW.

I have to agree. Don't send him more money. He is trying to rip you off - twice! Wish he was in Ga - I'd litigate all over his a**!!

Seriously - try Craigslist, or Mr Pinball, or Pinside market. Or local classifieds.