That angle-corner is perfectly sized for showcasing a pinball machine! Did you design that or just a happy accident?

Thank you! Pure happy accident

Well, after joining the TBL wait list back in August 2019, then jumping out last year during the disaster known as 2020.....

I'm back in! I'll consider it an early order, for a Christmas 2022 gift to myself.

So weird, I'm a month before your deposits and paid in full. Happy you got your game. I don't understand cointaker. And by don't understand, I mean I'll never buy anything from them again.

It's been a weird process for me. I'm not happy with the communication either I know the last couple months I've been calling and bugging about the status and I did get one of the lit up aprons so I don't know if that makes a difference either.

She arrived and looks to be in good shape. Will be bringing it in the house and installing in a couple hours when I get assistance.

20211119_121758 (resized).jpg

Congrats! I'd be lying like cointaker if I said I wasn't jealous. But more Lebowski's in the wild makes me happy. A lot of us are in the same waiting game so who am I to complain. F it, I'll go bowling!

Deposit - 10/05/20
Paid in full - 09/26/21
Shipped - 11/17/21

Delivery scheduled tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Any must have mods? I think there is a plastic protector for a exposed piece of metal on the right side of machine that is supposed to protect the ball. Looked through the thread to no avail. Any help is appreciated.

Congrats Dude!

I recommend you go to the TBL Owner's Thread and do a search usings keyword: "mods". Lots of good suggestions and info to be found.

The TBL protector/diverter piece is available via a Pinsider on Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1088825021/the-big-lebowski-pinball-orbit-protector?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=big+lebowski&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

Deposit - 9/29/20
Paid in full - 09/26/21
Delivered - 11/30/21

2 months from paid in full should be quicker for others (other than EA's). My only advice is to email or call after paying in full. I lucked into getting the last one from this shipment. If someone else called, I'm sure I'd be waiting for the next run. No rhyme or reason. The squeaky nut gets the oil.
Cheers to everyone, this pin is beautiful!

Probably both lies.

Just curious, did you pay in full, if so when? I’m a Nov20 deposit as well. Haven’t been invoiced, but expect to soon, as was last told mid-Jan delivery date as well.

I put my deposit down in Nov of last year and was basically told that my machine would definitely be here in November. Well, Melissa told me via email last week that my machine has landed in the U.S. and had already cleared customs and is just awaiting delivery to Cointaker. <<

I made my deposit in November of 2020 as well, actually Nov 6 of 2020. I was told on 10-26-20 in an e-mail from Melissa that I was in the next 10 games following the shipment that was just arriving.

I was told initially March of 2021, then May, then July, then October. Now, I'm supposed to be in the next 10 games?? I don't know what to believe.

My deposit was 11-6-20. I was told on 10-26-21 in an e-mail from Melissa:

" We have a shipment on it’s way that is spoken for, and you will be in the following 10 games. "

I really don't know what to believe. Did anybody get invoiced or already receive their machine that made their deposit after 11-6-20?

Ouch

Coin taker just needs to be straight.
IE. All shipping dates are dependent on the manufacturer. We imply or give no promises. I mean, why promise something you have no control over?

So, vwallat99 deposited 2 weeks after me:

"Quoted from vwallat99:
Got my shipment scheduled for Friday 11/19
For those keeping score at home:
Initial deposit 11/20/20
Invoice 10/19/21
Ship Date 11/19/21"

And he had his game delivered 11-19-21. I have been told nothing more from Melissa or CT
other than the e-mail from 10-22-21 saying I was in the next 10 games...

It's called a pyramid scheme. EAs will never be made whole. They funded this whole scheme and they didnt even know it.

Anyone that says Melissa “told you for sure” about a TBL delivery date is lying. I deposited 12/6/20 and have been in contact with her a few times since then. Estimates any time I speak with her. She has no control over parts shortages or shipping issues. I’ve dealt with CoinTaker for years and they have been nothing but accommodating and great to work with. I would love to see this email that “guaranteed” more or less someone they were getting a game on a specific date. It’s just not true.

You’re wrong. We’ve seen EA’s getting delivered with each batch of new orders. The last one promptly got listed for almost $20k. People cry and bitch about not getting their games then it finally comes and they try and flip it for a huge profit. BS!

In regard to shipping I can tell you that it’s even more a nightmare nowadays. Currently pricing are like usd 20 per kg !!! Do the math

Prices are expected to drop after Christmas.

So DP and CT are investigating best way forward. Container on a ship or wait or ….

We fully realize that all these issues are frustrating but it’s is like it is at the moment and circumstances almost change daily. Pls take this into consideration when debating shipping vs invoices vs paid vs …. Neither DP and CT have the world under control.

Their money has been tied up for over 7 years. They deserved every penny imo.

I’m not saying they don’t deserve it. There were obviously issues in the past and DP is trying to rectify it with the release of EA’s with each new shipment batch from what I’ve seen.

I'm fine with waiting a few extra weeks tbh. By the time I get my pin it'll be about 55-60 weeks. What's another 2-4 more?

Agree! It’s absolutely every owners right to resell any game at any price the market will bear. Doesn’t matter how when or why they got it, it’s their property and decision.

I’m just reiterating the stuff I hear on this forum. Wasn’t referring specifically to you. People need to have a little patience with the new orders. CT eluded they are getting away from air freight and going to cargo containers so that will definitely increase wait times. Patience….

Seriously! I have about 4 emails estimating delivery back in April. I received in November.
I don't mind the fact it took over a year to get the game.
I just wish cointaker was upfront and transparent. I literally emailed her and was told 'well, I have one here ready to ship'. I was thinking, why did I have to email to get it shipped?? I don't know but the game is special and worth the wait.

Dude -

All credit to Barry and DP for every EA that they make right by getting their game to them! As an EA that waited 6 1/2 years for my game and went through an emotional roller coaster throughout the process, I feel very fortunate to have received my TBL after many in the hobby had written my chances off. It is a very fun game and is truly the favorite in my collection!

That said, the "Early Achiever"s' issues are not in the past as most are STILL waiting for games that they paid for in full 6-7 years ago and have had to stand by and watch others receive and enjoy in the meantime. Unfortunately, the issuance of games to Early Achievers has continued to be a mere trickle. Hopefully, DP is able to improve upon this delivery frequency soon.

dp should make a Jesus Edition -- the only change being artwork, translite, plaque, and apron -- charge 25k and use that as a way to make EAs whole.

The demand for pinball is out there, and people seem to be ready to throw 20-30k at rare games these days.

Like I said I was calling and emailing alot when I was getting closer so I don't know if that made a difference on my time waiting. I also was on the unofficial list before the 1K deposits were made and was never told I needed to jump onto that new list. So after contacting cointaker I was pretty much told that old list didn't mean a thing and to pony up a grand. Not sure if this helped my time table at all but yeah there needs to be transparency to the whole set up especially with how slow going this has been.

I thought DP just finished like EA70.

I see an EA129 for sale. I guess we really don’t know how many EAs there are left based on this.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/125160

I think people got to switch order lists if they ordered another?

Those are the EAs like mine who bought a 2nd one and are still owed the first. An EA plaque was included for the 2nd purchase.

I just pre-ordered on Cointaker. I know I'm a ways off from getting a game. I'll be stoked if I get one at all I guess! So I know very little about who's making these and the odds in them coming in. I don't even know if they come with a rug. Without that will my room tie together properly? Well here's hoping. At least with cointaker there's a good chance I'll get my loot back if the game never gets built.

I guess this is what happens when I lose focus during a boring zoom work meeting. Now I have 3 machines on pre-order. 2023 will be a fun year!

B

So have recent builds been relatively problem free? Have one of these on order as well as an Alien, and Alien seems to be an unending stream of minor issues…

I'm just ahead of you by a couple days. No boring Zoom, just late night alcohol shopping.

Nothing worse than what’s coming out of any manufacturer, in my experience. A few little tweaks out of the box and I’ve been good to go. The support from Rens (look up the Lebowski support thread), the community, and the company have been pretty awesome!

I am approaching my 6-month-anniversary of placing my order! Woo hoo… bring on next summer!

9 months here.

March is coming!

Had the opportunity to play TBL this weekend, what a nice game!
It looks stunning and has a very good layout of the playfield.

IMG_4607 (resized).JPG

Anyone receiving there TBLs?

Rensh are they still shipping or shutdown for the holidays? Thx

It’s been to quiet for the dude.

Visiting the factory next Thursday so will see myself

As far as I know they are still producing but shipments are held till after Christmas when hopefully shipping expenses are reduced. This as I explained some time ago in post 13624.

Ok cool.

Makes sense! Happy Holidays !!

@rensh. I know it's been said before but without you giving updates I would never made the purchase. Your communications are the reason I felt confident enough to pull the trigger, and I'm stoked you keep helping us out.

Thanks man! Happy Holidays!

Hi Everyone,

Anyone know what serial number the latest EA machine that's been sent out so far is? I am either number 79 or 97 (I forget), and I paid the full $8500 back in 2014/2015 and I was just curious where they are in the process of getting those shipped.

Thanks!
Brian

I think the last EA was #70. Brian I hope you get your's soon.