As a newer operator, I can echo the need for quality maintenance. For me, dirty or broken machines ruin everything. It has been exhausting for me to travel to the location and tweak or maintain the machines, but I firmly believe that is what it is all about.
I make very little money with the ones I have had in the location, but just added two brand new ones in hopes that it might draw more interest. That said, all I ultimately care about is people enjoying these works of art. I think many people in my generation just missed the pinball era and I aim to fix that. Often I will help people understand the rules or throw them free credits so they can practice.
I am curious to see what people think about that strategy.