Hopson Enterprises

mannytc · 02-05-2005, 12:26 AM

Well maybe I just got lucky then. Might have helped to stay persistent. The very formal letter I faxed might have got their attention too.

Dai · 02-05-2005, 01:40 AM

I bought my first machine from them last weekend, a Speed Racer. The transformer had come loose from the case, the screws were on one of the speaker magnets as well, and the top doorjam was also loose. I emailed them and got a response back in an hour telling me what to look for. I found the screws, checked the wires and screwed it back into place.

I plugged it in and it seems to work fine, the little that I've played with it. I will say that unless it takes something special to get the real Speed Racer theme, it doesn't exist.

jeffmo · 02-23-2005, 10:00 PM

Well I finally did recieve my replacement EL board from Timothy.
Indeed I had to send the bad one to him 1st, but looks like all is well with my Neo Planet now.

The other two machines I bought from them were fine except from a few scratches on the gold crome on the Speed Raced caused by Fed Ex.

Not real fast, or good communication, but I would not hesitate from buying there again

**Tulsa** · 02-23-2005, 10:03 PM

You had to send parts back to them first? So you waited even longer to be happy with your purchase and you'd buy from them again? You need to buy from another popular vendor and see the difference.

jeffmo · 02-23-2005, 10:14 PM

I guess so........
My machines from Grandview were great....had token bay explode inside box and let a trail of coins up my driveway. Eric took great care of me and sent replacement bag of tokes right away.

Have also bought 2 machines from 5star machines arrived fine...... but really really dirty and not very well packaged. I'm surprised UPS didn't destroy them. Very light cardboard box

**TANK** · 02-23-2005, 10:23 PM

nobody and i mean NOBODY buys from 5 star!!!

**Bobby Bowling** · 02-23-2005, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by David R.

For their shipping price they should be putting some foam inside to protect the reels and board.

Their shipping price is what turned me off and led me to not consider buying from them. I despise sellers who jack up shipping prices, which is obvious as the other regular eBay sellers charge $59-$69 and they charge $89.

**alexilla** · 03-01-2005, 11:39 PM

I bought a babel from them and have no problems at all. Machine came well packed, speedy delivery, no damages what-so-ever. But I never had to call them for repairs or parts so I consider myself lucky. Happy slotting

Utopia1dc · 03-01-2005, 11:48 PM

To me, it really doesn't matter on price of shipping or quality on this vendor. The problem I have with them is there private auctions...they keep them private and I keep my money.

**azlew** · 03-02-2005, 01:06 AM

I don't understand why you wouldn't like the private auction as it is only there to protect you from other dealers contacting you....yeah right :wink: We all know why they do private auctions. It amazing how many people still bid on private auctions tho.

**minnesotabrad** · 03-02-2005, 01:18 AM

azlew, fill me in. I don't know why they keep auctions private, what's the deal? I have been tempted to bid on a couple of their auctions but the shipping they charge keeps me away. An additional $20-30 compared to others is unacceptable to me. Thanks for any other insight.

**Tulsa** · 03-02-2005, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by alexilla

I bought a babel from them and have no problems at all. Machine came well packed, speedy delivery, no damages what-so-ever. But I never had to call them for repairs or parts so I consider myself lucky. Happy slotting

This has to be a first.

I have never met anyone who ever for any reason thought they had speedy shipping.

You must live across town from them! :wink:

**gwarzin** · 03-02-2005, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tulsa

This has to be a first.

I have never met anyone who ever for any reason thought they had speedy shipping.

My earlier experiences with them was not that good. But, maybe they are trying to clean up their act. I won a Metal Slug from them a week or so back. I won it in the evening. It was shipped the next day.

The one thing I don't like is that they don't automatically send out tracking numbers, so you don't know if it's been shipped or not. I gave them a few days. When I heard nothing I emailed asking for the tracking number, expecting to be told that it hadn't shipped yet. They responded quickly, emailing me the tracking number within a half hour. When I tracked the package, it was already on the local truck for delivery!

Their private auctions don't bother me. If their machines sold for more than the same machine from others, I'd worry about shill bidding. But they actually seem to sell for less - probably because of their higher shipping. So I just factor in the extra shipping cost when I'm deciding what to bid.

All that said, because of the previous experience with slow customer service, given a choice of the same machine at similar prices, I'd probably buy from someone else. But, I'm willing to give them a shot every once in a while, and if they continue to improve (like they seem to be doing) I will gradually become more comfortable buying from them.

The one thing that tipped the scale slightly back in their direction was an email question that I sent them that had NOTHING to do with them making an immediate sale. I got a same day email response from someone there saying they would pass my email along to the owner. A couple of days later he called and left a detailed answer on my voice mail. This response was so much better than my experiences of 6 months ago. It actually felt like they were making an effort to get things right. So I felt they deserved a second chance.

**Tulsa** · 03-02-2005, 09:09 AM

I hope you're right Gary and they have cleaned up their act. Their act needed merrimaids that's for sure!

**arbycoffee** · 03-02-2005, 09:25 AM

They lost me after that lady on here got no joy till she left Them a Neg.
SAD to! :-(

**Frank A** · 03-02-2005, 09:31 PM

I just bought a Beast Sapp from them on ebay. I will report back on this vendor as soon as I get the box. Frank A

**azlew** · 03-03-2005, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by minnesotabrad

...... I don't know why they keep auctions private, what's the deal?....

Why would they keep auctions private?

Think about it. Do you really think they are doing it to protect your privacy?

At least you are considering taking the advice of people here that have some experience in dealing with this company.

That is one of the most valuable things Pachitalk do = help you buy from the right dealers.

**Frank A** · 03-03-2005, 11:24 AM

As I mentioned last night, I had just won a Beast Sapp from Hopson Enterprises on ebay at 8:15 PM Eastern time. I was having an issue with the Pay Pal not going thru so I sent them an e-mail about it at 9:15 PM and received a very rapid and positive e-mail response from Timathie within minutes. He even asked for my phone number here in New Jersey to talk to me about my purchase and to help lay aside any concerns that I may have had about his company, their delivery time line and their alleged customer service issues. I spent almost 30 minutes on the phone with him talking about Pachislo, Pinball machines, customer service, quality and delivery. He said that he and two other employees were at the office working late to catch up on some customer service issues. My machine is going out today and I will be getting the tracking number when they open this morning in California. I will report back to the forum when I receive the machine, but I have to say that I was very satisfied with the way I was treated last night. It doesn't get much better than a personal phone call from one of the principals of a company. Frank A

**dodc2** · 03-09-2005, 12:02 PM

I just received 8 machines from Valley Gaming. I'm very satisfied with the condition of the machines. All 8 machines are almost brand new condition inside and out. The tokens are in excellent condition, shiny and clean.
Plus I got the 8 machines at a very special price. I have 12 more machines pending from Valley hope they will deliver great machines like I one I just received. The packing on the pallet was well packed. I'd buy from Valley again.

Keep up the great work Valley Gaming!

**Frank A** · 03-10-2005, 09:12 PM

My Beast Sapp arrived today via Fed Ex Ground. No damage and the machine was very clean, freshly painted and the tokens were almost new. The packing was excellent. Good vendor. I will buy from them again. Frank A