My Vendordom begins today.

[arbycoffee]

That's a lot of Fudge!

[luckydog]

That's a job you don't want to brag about :>)

[dattia]

Thanks Si7..........now I feel dirty........

[Si7]

Heh, nice icon Dattia (pinched it )

[dattia]

I have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to use that particular Smiley. Thanks to you, that opportunity has arrived!

[slotter]

I loved that smiley. Perfect!!!

[PropWash]

I'm starting to think I should Blog my whole experience this far.

Things are moving along (slowly), deposit was paid on the container in Japan, the brokers are working on the broker thing, and I managed to land significant high grade warehouse space for almost nothing.

In 3 weeks my 7 X 12 box trailer will arrive that will be used for transporting from the warehouse to my workshop at home.

I have run some numbers and will be able to hold about 120 units in my studio workshop without having to move any of my other equipment.

(side bar). My workshop has been used for my collection of arcade machines and high end VR simulators that I have restored. It currently has 8 fully functional, enclosed cockpits for playing BattleTech and Red Planet. http://www.mechjock.com/modules.php?...lbumListPage=1

Today I start working on shipping supplies. We have aboud 6 custom packaging manufacturers within 5 miles of where I work as well as a good friend who manages at a box maker.

I have a few damaged raw units I'm going to test packaging and processing. I need a tact time to figure out my projeced sale price estimates.

A web site is in development, and I'm looking into viable trade shows and flea markets within 90 miles of where I live.

If the Japanese vendor gets the lead out, perhaps I'll have units to sell by mid July.

[arbycoffee]

I for one wish you "Luck" and smooth seas.

A point I have found on all the Pachislos that I have gotten (a lot) is they all come to me with loose screws on the inside. Check all screws and if missing any, check the mags on the speakers, you might find them. I have found the amount of missing screws will very from Vendor to Vendor. I hope this helps.

[PropWash]

I will add that to my checklist.

When I calculate tact times, it includes unloading from container, loading and transport to studio, cleaning, inspection checklist items, paint if needed, PS if needed, documentation processes, playtesting, packing and finally transport to shipper.

[monaghj]

I for one would love to see a list here of the machines marked at fair prices and honest shipping and I am sure you would get a number of us to provide you some working capital.

[Tony Junior]

PropWash, one thing that really helps to sell me on a machine is a video of it in action. Eric at Pachinko_palace does this as does Milt at demos777. In fact, if another vendor who does NOT have videos and if Eric or Milt is offering or has offered in the recent past the same machine, I will check their old videos of that machine.

Descriptions are nice, but if you can combine video with it on your site, if nothing more than a link, you may sell me on a particular machine.

I wish you the very best of luck!

[Lazarus]

I like it when machines are packed in two boxes. I like arbys Idea of packing the inside to protect reel and hopper movement. I don't like shrink wrap but do like the bags syscom uses. The shrink rap if there is high humidity or any moisture it collects under the plastic and when you get a machine unpacked and the shrink wrap taken off you can see ware it has been and on some machine is was not the easiest to get off. also with the shrink wrap it doesn't really protect in case the box and machine get whet. I got a machine from syscom once that the Fed Ex guy wouldn't take up the five steps to set it under the porch and it rained that day. The box was drenched and when I opened the box the foam had water in it and the bag was wet. But since it was a bag the machine itself did not get wet. I like to keep the bags and put them over stored machines. You cant do that with used shrink wrap. I also like syscoms way of shipping the tokens. A separate box on top of the foam. Less chance of the bags braking open. I have had machines come with tokens all over the place inside. They do a good job of messing up the finish of a machine. Do like milt does and give us a coil key holder. One less thing to have to get and put on. It is a nice touch. Paint ether satin black or i second the laminate but yes do cut out the hand holds! Extra light bulbs. A choice of tokens. Ether used or your custom. If custom like a good gold or the copper ones I like them an upgrade fee if need be. If you can't afford to do the extra packaging all the time them the Pachi Talk deal should be that we get the extra packaging to give it a better chance to get to us in good shape. Damage from shipping is the number one thing I hate about getting machines!!!! OK I think I am don now.

[logicprobe]

Geez... thanks for reminding me, Laz!

I almost forgot the most useful suggestion to improve sales and build customer relations!!!

Be sure to offer a PachiTalk member discount!
And stay active on the forum!

[PropWash]

I will certainly do what I can with the advice you have provided. I will certainly remain active on this site, at least as a lurker.

I will keep you all posted with the progress!

[PropWash]

My container left Japan yesterday!

[slotter]

GREAT!!! How exciting for you, PropWash! Keep us informed how things go...

[DiskDevil]

Great.....I look forward to what you offer.

[dattia]

Good Luck!

[Tony Junior]

Best of good luck, Propwash!

[PropWash]

The container arrived! Took 1 hour and 35 minutes to unload with our small army of 'helpers'.

I will get a preliminary list up here later today. I will also have an offer for those in driving distance that might want to get units 'wholesale & unshopped'. I bought the full container to get units as cheap as possible, but I really dont want to sit on quite so many units.

Boy my arms hurt.