I’m not really seeing anyone shitting on Blainebrook here.

I asked if things have changed after five years and it sounds like they have not. That’s really the end of the story.

Just because someone shares a valid opinion with some factual information doesn’t mean they are shitting on something.

At the end of the day, it’s great that Blainebrook has the biggest selection of games in Minnesota, has tournaments, and can help introduce more people to pinball. But the overall condition of the collection of pins isn’t appealing to some.

They're not a competitor, they don't work for the operator or location. They're a tournament director.

I only recently heard tell of the Reddit one, but it’s definitely still there to find, 6 years later…

I've had leagues and tournaments at my business. So yes the leagues or tournaments he runs is competition.

They were allowing him to run leagues or tournaments. Sounds like work for them to me, salaried or not. He didn't just wander in there and start running leagues or tournaments without the operator or location knowing about it. The location promoted it on social media.

Then he should have realized his actions could reflect on the location he was tournament directing in.

If the situation was reversed and he was running leagues or tournaments in my business and I found out he posted lies and BS about another location with pinball machines, I would have kicked him out and never let him back in.
Lloyd

I guess we can surmise LTG doesn't stand for Let iT Go? Especially if this reddit post happened 6 years ago and you're going to insinuate folks are going to get murdered going to Mortimers? C'mon. I love SS Billiards and glad you're part of the community, but this isn't it.

I never said that. I posted had I known that 6 years ago when he posted his lies and crap who he was, I would have countered his crap with it on Reddit back then.

I only posted the Star Tribune link here in response to Ribs post that there was no such location in Minnesota.

Let iT Go : )

https://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Hopkins-Minnesota.html

Though crime seems to be higher than the surrounding communities, it's true that the murder rate is pretty low, as in 2 from 2010-2020.

Anyway, I'm used to Blainbrook bashing. It's fine. I'll just keep winning there. Kidding aside, as I wrote on Facebook, the majority of the games play just fine. I don't think you're going to find anything wrong with Stranger Things, Cactus Canyon, Tron, Metallica, Power Play, Hot Tip, Iron Man, etc.

It IS funny that some problems don't get fixed after years of it being a know problem like the diverter on High Speed. Our techs try hard, they work hard, but some things just seem to be beyond their abilities. There is some stubbornness there when it comes to allowing others to fix games. So there is a bit of a culture issue there. And at what point do they simply remove the EMs and fix the score reels so they score accurately all the time? Sure, some things bug me. It would be nice to use the Jersey Jack games in competition, and we sometimes use Wonka, but WoZ hasn't been in years.

Here's the thing, if I only focused on the negative, I'd miss out on a whole lot of fun.

It doesn't change the fact that there is a huge variety of games. If a location had 15 games all working perfectly, you'd be amazed. If a location has 50 and half of them work perfectly, it's a catastrophe for some reason.

Sheeeeeet….There’s more than enough food on the table to go around. I’ve learned if you don’t care for someone, don’t give them any thought. I can’t control what folks say about me or others, but I can control how I respond or lack there of. Although, like all of us, I lose that control sometimes. An operator and a location needs to focus on their customers, the experience they are providing, their level of service and customer acquisition, promotion, and retention. Lloyd, focus on what you do, and forget the naysayers. I know from personal experience, you offer LLoyds product, with history, free jokes, no alcohol, and family experience. It’s a place I know I am always welcome, feel comfortable, and will enjoy. That’s a good offering, and I’m glad we’re friends.

That's the name of the game. Find a place that has what you enjoy. I'm glad Blainbrook has that for you. Not everybody is that lucky.

Reading other threads on Pinside, there are areas where there are no pins, leagues, or tournaments, or very few, or far away.

LTG : )

And avoid anyone asking about crazy and unfounded complaints about your place.

LTG : )

All it takes is money to maintain games. I've been to Blainbrook just a few times and each time I marvel at the neglect. Hence, I assume they have almost no budget for labor or parts. I live near Up-Down. They, too, have a budget issue when it comes to game maintenance. I would help them shop their games if that were an option. Of course, at Up-Down, with their absurdly low prices, you get what you pay for. I was thrilled last year when a NOB 'zilla PRO landed there. Each time I went in, I went right up to it, and each time I discovered that it was still pitched at about five-degrees. This went on for weeks. I thought, okay, this game was set up in a very big hurry and isn't quite done yet. That's understandable, but maybe come back when you have more time and finish the setup? The kids who work in there will take the glass off and fish stuck balls out, but they may not dare do anything more than that. I spoke to a staffer about who oversees the machines and he admitted that Up-Down maintains and circulates their arcade machines between the various branches of Up-Down, but the pinballs are managed by a separate amusements company and they (Up-Down) have NO control over what pinballs are routed there or for how long or in what condition.

Oh is that all it takes… money? Do you truly ‘marvel at the neglect’? LOL. Sure dude. Right on.

I get it. I cry sometimes when I drain on a game that isn’t 100% perfect in a tournament. I say WTF when something doesn’t go right. Then again this is pinball, and the games in my collection aren’t 100% all the time. I’m not dropping the glass every time a bulb is out - I have pins to play them. Others have pins for other reasons and that’s ok.

I’m all for anyone who wants to try and do better, or make things better. Volunteer your time to help these places, or start up a business where I can drop coin at your place if you can do better.

I get the occasional complaint but it seems constant and is a bit much. If you don’t like it just don’t go there. No need to drag others or businesses for trying to enjoy machines and get more exposure to pinball out there. I don’t go to Olive Garden and then bitch that their food isn’t real “Italian” and they should be ashamed to call it that, I just don’t go back. (Don’t worry people I also think their breadsticks are awesome)

Hopefully everyone has it out of their system. We good to going back to talking about fun shit instead of whining? Im good if people want to whine, but start another thread so this one doesn’t derail further.

Hello there

Machine - For Sale

HUO Star Wars Comic Art (Pro) Archived

HUO - Undocumented (Home Used Only) - “Gorgeous HUO Star Wars Comic Pro. I am the 2nd owner. It plays perfectly and there is no wear on the playfield, cabinet, or decals. Has roughly 5,000 plays. The last owner had a fe...”

2023-06-22

Eau Claire, WI

WildRover

6,700

Archived after: 10 days

Viewed: 884 times

Status: Didn't sell to Pinsider

The rotisserie is sold.
Still have the original Trilogy Brewing co.
on the market.
Perfect Father’s Day gift.

Machine - For Sale

The first pinball machine to serve beer Archived

Functional - needs minor work - “I am selling the original, one of a kind Trilogy Brewing co pinball. To my knowledge this is the first pinball machine to dispense beer. It is a homebrew retheme of Bally Star Trek...”

2023-06-10

Elkhorn, WI

trilogybeer

5,000 (OBO)

Archived after: 42 days

Viewed: 9400 times

Status: Not sold

Open for trades on a 1994 Popeye saves the earth….

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/157668

Fresh James Bond Premium with a couple of nice upgrades for grabs at a large discount!

Anybody know if Starcade settled on a new location? I'm heartbroken they're moving from Roseville as they are super close to me. My kids and I love going there. Nothing like being able to take your kids to an arcade and then walking over to the movie theater to go catch a movie with your kids in 2023.

I heard tell they were trying to build a super arcade, but no idea on where or when.

Still trying from what I gathered recently in an old restaurant space that I can't recall the name of

Yes they have. It's not 100% sure thing, but they are finalizing it now. Should know for sure within a couple of days. Plan is to move out of the old space at the end of June. Probably a week or two transition into July for opening. New spot is in St. Paul and the sky will be the limit with games and special event options they can have there if everything works out.

I’ve heard the same thing and wish them much success…

Renewed remaining games at lower prices. If anyone is interested in Alice Cooper, Ultraman, Scooby, Rick n Morty, or WonkaSE take a peak in the market place or hit me up!

Did you guys see that Nerdhaven Arcade has 58 pinball machines?!?

I am traveling to Des Moines to deliver my bond on Monday, if anyone wants me to bring a pin back for them let me know.

Whirlwind if anyone is looking to trade….

I’d be interested in a Star Wars pro if anyone wants to part with one

centerflank
https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/157655
I found one for you, in your own backyard!

I did message him last night we are slightly apart on price, id really prefer the non comic version but not a deal breaker i suppose

I prefer the comic version - you should buy so we can guess what he buys next. I’m going LOTR or IM. I don’t know the guy at all but based on how he talks on the podcast I’m sure it’s in nice condition.

WildRover I wish you were closer we could just swap games back and forth. Someone in WI needs to get in on that sweetheart deal.

I know Jason pretty much always sells what he got games for. And I wish I lived closer to form a Rube Goldberg machine of pin rotation!

Maybe we are on to something. Sounds like we got three for the brotherhood of the traveling pins…

I’m all for it! I’ve temp trades games I’m not ready to sell for a few months since I seem to sell a game after 3-6 months most the time anyway.

I’m down!..but now I have to buy a new car so a couple pins gotta go!

Hopefully it’s something that will haul a pin or two…

Always buy a Rav 4 that fits about 0 pins lol

I watched someone haul a pin in a Subaru - might have been an Impreza. Anything is possible lol.

I sold a goldeneye to a dude middle of winter he hauled out in a Prius with about 2 feet of the game sticking out the back

I got a Bally Viking into a Prius with the hatch closed. Front seat was pulled up far enough to make it a very uncomfortable drive home.

You can fit a pin in a RAV4, but why would you want to?

they can haul a 100 pound trailer so thats a bonus

Ha!
I’m pretty sure the “RAV”stands for Rarely Adequate Vehicle. And the “4” means it has 4 wheels.
But yeah yeah pretty useless vehicle in almost any category.

Sounds like I need to ad one to the fleet after I transition

Don't you talk about Toyota like that. Gods gift to cars.

We need to get together for some beers and pinball soon. Maybe a little trash talk about shitty cars we've had to work on?

I often wonder if I could jam an EM into my 2017 Prius

Its going to be a Mazda CX-30 turbs. I can still fit a pin sideways in the CX-5 and honestly they go in better sideways then "normal" ways. The CX-30 turby is fun as all f*ck to drive!

Want my Derby Day wood rail? We could test this baby out tonight for science...

https://media0.giphy.com/media/26hkhKd2Cp5WMWU1O/giphy.gif?cid=2154d3d7nsxuzxu45kimggxk2qtu4brue409j4jv7dcanti6&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g