Should I pay more?

[colonelmustard]

$249 for Pink Panther or Popeye...

I have just begun researching pachinko machines. I'm looking to buy one for my 4 kids (ages 9-15) for our rec room. Texas Auctions has a number of machines on Ebay that look almost too good to be true when compared with prices I see elsewhere. I'm not looking for the latest/greatest, but want something clean, working, reliable.

Can someone give me some guidance?

[Firewire]

If you want the best of the best then PM Arbycoffee for a quote on a machine or bid on one of his auctions. If you are willing to accept a lower price for your own cleaning up and permenant cosmetic defects then TA or SlotsUSA could be an option.

Personally if you are only going to do it once and it's going to be promintely displayed, I would spend the extra and go with a Machine from Arbycoffee.

[DanG]

The machine I purchased from Texas Auction was very clean. It also shipped quickly. Their only mistake was they sent me a machine that was different than what I had won on ebay. I received an Aqua Paradise instead of an Aqua Nine. I can't say how they would have responded to this error. I was satisfied with the Aqua Paradise and didn't want to go through the trouble of swapping it out.

[luckydog]

If you have the money to spend go with Arby, You can't go wrong.

If money is tight Slotusa auctions end at lower prices and they stand by their products.

I haven't delt with TA some people were happy, others were not.

[arbycoffee]

For small children Cyclic Usage is the way to go. You will not have balls all over the place with them try to poor ball in the top hopper all the time.
Supervision will be less once they understand the game. Less that can go wrong with Cyclic Usage. No ball track blockage, no machine falling over on them.
Ask logicprobe about kid and Cyclic Usage. I find it better than parlor ready even for myself.

Here are some links to understand Cyclic Usage

Recirculating System or Standard
http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6041
Circulation Processed?
http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5997
Load 'em yourself or recycle?
http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4449
What is Cyclic Usage?
http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4297

[Tulsa]

I've bought Pachinko's from TA, SlotUSA and Arby.

I will never buy another pachinko from anyone but Arby. It only costs a little more to go first class!

[Bilko44]

The $249 BIN price from TA is very good. It's a fun game and one the kids would enjoy.

[colonelmustard]

Would auctions on Ebay state if the machine had cyclic usage? I think I agree with Arby that cyclic is the way to go for 4 kids. I'd love to buy from Arby but have to convince myself first to spend the money (more than my budget)!

[RKnarr01]

Almost all the machines on ebay are not cyclic.

[arbycoffee]

I think I am the only one that has them in Cyclic Usage

[sacpinplayer]

The Star Wars I bought from Arby is cyclic. Couldn't be happier with it. Looks like new!


Mike

[Firewire]

My kids play so much and can't refill the hopper. I might look into the conversion myself.

[ajc7323]

I bought a pachinko from Texas Auctions and the card bypass reader/dongle didn't work and was crazy glued to the section above it. . After a lot of help from PACHITALK members. I called Kurt at TA and he overnighted a new part. I was unhappy that they sent me a bad machine. But they did bend over backward to help and get me a new part. So overall I was satisfied.

[colonelmustard]

I bought a pachinko from Texas Auctions and the card bypass reader/dongle didn't work and was crazy glued to the section above it. .

Since it's a Christmas gifts to 4 kids, and would be their primary gift, not working would not be good. Are Pachinko machines high maintenance in general, or do they seem to keep working if you get a good one?

We had an Evel Knievel pinball machine growing up. My brother still has it and it's working well. I was kind of hoping for the same kind of thing.

[Tulsa]

Pachinko machines are generally built very well and not high maintenance at all. Certainly if you're providing this for children for a Christmas present, test it out first and make sure you get it in plenty of time for a particular vendor to fix in time for Christmas.

Or you can buy one from Arby and not worry at all.

[azlew]

....Or you can buy one from Arby and not worry at all.

There you go.

Sure you will pay a bit more thru arby but the time and aggravation you save in corresponding back and forth with the other dealers about problems that they create by just not caring like arby does is well worth the extra. Plus no one wants a present that doesn't work or has broken glass etc. Thats as bad as not receiving a present.

Do yourself a BIG favor and buy it from the master himself = arby.

And you will have a Very Merry Christmas !!

[slotter]

I wouldn't be hesitant to buy from most of the major vendors. I've bought several of my very best machine(s) from those vendors that some have said are not that good.

Most of the majors will try to take care of you if something is wrong. I've never had a single vendor not attempt to help with any of the very few problems I have encountered.

These machines are pretty bullet proof and made for HARD play. Chances are, they are going to work with home use for a long, long time

[Tulsa]

You can either learn from others misfortunes or learn it on your own. How you choose to learn is up to you.

[azlew]

I agree.

It's just a tuff time of year to have to learn on your own.

No amount of money can pay for the disappointment in a child's eyes with having a non working pachinko for Christmas