I can't handle crowded shows either. the chaos that ensues makes it a non-fun experience for me, so i avoid shows with big numbers. especially shows that get their big numbers from the general public. not that this is bad, but if there's going to be crowding, i would rather have it be with people that enjoy pinball 365 days a year (and that i share my hobby of playing/fixing/restoring), opposed to the masses that think about pinball just 1 day a year. That is i like shows that are marketed towards pinball collectors and players, versus general masses. i know that sounds weird... maybe that doesn't make any sense... But this is why we're not doing big promotions or radio/tv ads or any of that stuff. Sticking to advertising by word of mouth and in pinball related blogs/publications/vendors. I mean everybody wants their show to be successful. but we just don't want it to be a victim of success and be so crowded there are lines for every game, you can't move, it's too hot, smelly, etc etc. If in the end only a handful of people come, so be it. We would rather have under expectations in crowd numbers than too many people.

That's why the Ann Arbor show is pre-sale only. When we reach reasonable numbers, sales of tickets are automatically turned off. This way we can't over sell the show. If sold out, and you show up without a ticket stub, you don't get in. It's like a concert, you don't sell more tickets than seats.

Hell yeah.

I make my GF dress up like that for me sometimes, even though it was long before she was born, lol.

Could you post a link to the advanced sale site?

Never mind: http://vfwpinball.com/?p=128

Pics or it didn't happen.

I chaperoned that same trip for my son's class.....if you've never been it's actually a really cool trip. We have more history than I even recalled and it's all in DC. The holocaust memorial is an amazing stop. Most kids that age have no idea what really happened and that memorial/museum is quite the trip. I even learned a few things.....or least had them put into better perspective.

Yeah, she would be thrilled with that.....

I agree. Kalamazoo is a great show.
I've been going for 10 years.

The first day is when you can meet all the regional pinheads,
while we are all setting up our pins.

I added WCS94 and Johnny Mnemonic to the collection this past week.

WCS94 needs a shop job and there's an 11 pin connector and header that are toast. Also has weak flippers. It's in the process of getting shopped out right now.

Johnny Mnemonic if FILTHY and has some minor issues with the hand. About 90% of the bulbs are in need of replacement.

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My WCS is coming next week! YAY!

Also, that JM isn't totally faded so good job scoring one that isn't all yellow on the cab. Gotta get back to digging out my walkout basement so I can get my new pin into the house!

I tried digging out my walkout 2 weeks ago. The problem is now getting in the back yard. I've given up...

I can get the pins down the other set of stairs if I take the door knob off, so that works.

This snow really sucks because I have (2) California Speeds with the deluxe 33" monitors waiting to come in. The only way they'll come in is thru the walkout! I have to play them in the garage for now - at least it's heated.

I don't reveal my sources and definitely not Craigslist.

I posted some information in my party thread about hotel accommodations, but I thought I'd put it here too for people who might miss it...

Hotel information:

We have a block of 15 rooms reserved at the Days Inn, Grayling MI.

1-989-344-0204

Normally $90+tax, we have a rate of $70, tax included for Saturday night, (24th of May).

The block and special rate will expire May 1st.

When booking, tell them it is for the 'Moore Party' to get the special rate.

Rooms are two queen beds. And there will be a 'tip service' shuttle going back to the hotel a couple times during the night.

Yep. I hear ya. Here's photo evidence of what I did so far. It's all uphill from here (literally)! My shovel broke too - heavy stuff.

Hey Michiganders, can we NOT buy/sell during these months and wait till the next thaw? I have seen some amazing deals in the past 3 months and I am in no way ready for any of it. Pinball at the Zoo can't come soon enough!

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I made the trip to the Louisville Arcade Expo and participated in the Classics Pinball Tourney. Qualified #2 and ended up taking 2nd Place in the finals which was a very nice payday and loads of fun competing against some very skilled opponents. Games played: Target Pool, Harlem Globetrotters, Cosmic Gunfight, Alien Star, Warlok, and Big Game.

I took my Dealer's Choice to the show for the free play area and it performed flawlessly for the whole expo. Overheard many complements on how it played and looked. May bring it to the MPE show in a few weeks.

Having a great time here in Louisville at the show. Will be making the trip in 2015 for sure.

Dont break your arm patting yourself on your back.............

LOL, this is too funny. I've been doing the exact same thing multiple times this winter to get to my walkout. I know my neighbors must think I'm nuts and are always wondering "Well, there he goes again shoveling his lawn ...".

Oh man. TC has tons of foot traffic during the summer. Location, location, location!

I'll contact him and see and let him know about Pinside and Klov. No reason to pay retail.

Good job. Glad to see my old Dealers Choice is getting some exposure.

I helped clean out Fred Bragenzer's warehouse not too far North of TC (Ironton?). The route op I worked for bought a tuckload of EM's from him in 1983. Video games crashed and pins were now making more than new video games. The op had the bright idea that EM pins would also earn. It was a neat experiment which failed miserably.

Thanks Icecreamman, also congrats on your new additions to the pin family.

After an hour of shoveling, the path was created. After Monday's melting, it looked really good (pic 1). This being Michigan, a snowstorm hit (pic 2). With me and the 1-year-old sick, I stayed inside today and the wifey did me a solid favor (pic 3).

Operation: New pinball on Saturday is now back on in full effect.

Side note: Can everyone with amazing pinball/arcade deals wait for the weather to get better? PLEASE???

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Anyone know if the new Rosie O'Gradys in Southgate has pinball or going to be setting up leagues like Chesterfield?

Just wondering.

Traveler

Heya tamoore, do you mind posting a link to your party thread? Not sure I knew that existed.

Anyone going to the Expo next weekend? Pinbrawl V is a tournament that is giving away a NIB ST pro. Go to this website to register. http://www.mipinball.com/ Reistration has been extended to midnight Sunday.

I'm considering on taking the trip up on Saturday... still trying to convince the other half, though.

The NIB ST Pro doesn't look promising. Need 80 signed up, only 44 so far by the looks of the registration list.

Yup that sucks if they don't make it. I talked to the guy running it he said that of it's not 80 then the raffle is $50 x how many people enter so at this point it's $2,200.

Anyone from Michigan going to MGC? Still looking for transport for a game back to Michigan after the show.

The Rosie O' Grady’s Pinball League will start again TODAY Tuesday, April 1st with our 3rd league.

Our leagues are focused on beginners and most importantly having fun. We usually have first timers playing so it's a lot of fun for everyone! To make things interesting, some weeks we may cover the flippers or inverse the flipper buttons on certain machines. If you’re new to pinball or haven’t played in years, this is would be a great opportunity to learn how to play the game.

How it works:

Our league consists of teams of four members, which will meet on Tuesdays at 7 PM for five weeks. There is only a onetime league fee of $10 per person and the games will be set to free play. We currently have seven pinball machines we play on.

If you are interested in joining or have any question, contact [email protected]

<<Anyone know if the new Rosie O'Gradys in Southgate has pinball or going to be setting up leagues like Chesterfield?

There is not. I have been meaning to speak with the owner to see if they are interested in having pinball there as well. They just opened a few weeks ago.

I wish I didn't work Saturday, I would love that shot at the Star Trek. Hopefully they get the 80 people needed.

PinBrawl registration shows only 54 people on the web site.

Thanks for the info. Haven't had a chance to stop by there as of yet.

Count me in on the Michigan thread. I live in Muskegon. Newbie to the pinball scene. Bought my first and only machine so far about 10 months ago. (Firepower) Funny. I've wanted a machine for at least the last 30 years and finally pulled the trigger an bought one. Sad that I waited until I was 60 before I got my first one. Better late than never. Trying to learn repairs as I go, so far so good. Have successfully repaired all issues that I have come across so far. Almost more fun than actually playing. Looking forward to going to the Pinball at the Zoo on the 24th. Nice to have a club Michigan thread. Hope my wife doesn't throw me out as I can see the addiction to this hobby may easily get out of hand. LOL Jack....

For a classic example of an addiction gone crazy, try to make it to John Dayhuff's pre-PATZ party in Battle Creek. If you can't, there is always his Saturday bash in the Fall. And, before Memorial Day is Tamoore's bash near Grayling.

Anyone know who won Pinbrawl by chance?

Thanks MrBally. I've seen a lot of John's photos of his place and previous parties. Would love to go but alas, I work the weekends, 12 hour 3rd shifts Friday & Saturday nights. Semi-retired so that gives me Sun-thurs off. But I am definitely going to PATZ on opening day Thursday. Do you think I would be able to buy pop bumper rebuild parts there for a Firepower? Or is it just lights and such like that.

Thunder424, my team won the B division.

John's party is the day BEFORE PATZ, so you can totally go if you are free on Wednesday afternoon to evening. Details will be coming soon!

Zach Sharpe and Dave won A.