A-Pachinko shopping experience

[jasonlujan]

Bought two modern machines:

https://a-pachinko.store/products/cr...tleship-yamato
and
https://a-pachinko.store/products/cr...-king-godzilla

At the time, in July 2021, the cost per machine was US$770 and NA shipping was $250. I just noticed they increased their NA shipping sometime recently.

Soon after, received an email offering me the ball-lifter for $CA315 each, and I went ahead and bought one. Here it is in action:
https://twitter.com/a_slot/status/13...690329601?s=29

It takes 6 weeks before they ship, and they use EMS. For Canada, that service was not available so they used DHL. The change over took an extra two weeks while they figured it out but they kept in contact, apologized for the delay, etc. The shipping took three days to get here and be delivered.

Both machines and the ball lifter work great!

[lotsoballs]

Shipping prices are absolutely insane lately! Thanks COVID!

How much did they charge for the machines though? I don’t see how anybody can beat JT Comatz at the moment price wise via the group purchases happening on FB; $106 per machine shipped via pallet on slow boat to SC.

Pick up machine in Charlotte NC or arrange domestic/NA shipping ($150-200?) no idea how much it costs to ship in Canada.

Godzilla looks fun; I’ve ordered a 2018 Urusei Yatsura in that same frame.

[lotsoballs]

Oops; misread your post…$770 per machine plus shipping; talk to Karen next time! They can beat that; most I’ve ever paid was $499 for Urusei Yatsura in same frame as Godzilla. (+$106 shipping cost )

[Spyder138]

I just bought a R-18 cell from Karen @ JT Comatz for the Fortune frame. $80 for the cell and $270 for shipping to California via EMS. Total cost of $350 USD. Took less than a week from the time I asked her if she could get me the cell (the only seller on YJP doesn't sell to proxy servers so I couldn't buy via From Japan) until the cell arrived. Well packaged and works like a charm. She sent me a video of the cell being tested at the same time she sent me all the shipping info.

[jasonlujan]

after that Macross issue I looked at JT Comatz and didn't see any themes that interested me (ie my wife's not gonna be cool with japanese schoolgirls themes). I should make a better effort at looking more regularly, though; they do have a lot.

[stampeed valkyrie]

Where can I get more information on the group shipment thing? I've got a couple of machines on my list and this may be the better option.

Shipping prices are absolutely insane lately! Thanks COVID!

How much did they charge for the machines though? I don’t see how anybody can beat JT Comatz at the moment price wise via the group purchases happening on FB; $106 per machine shipped via pallet on slow boat to SC.

Pick up machine in Charlotte NC or arrange domestic/NA shipping ($150-200?) no idea how much it costs to ship in Canada.

Godzilla looks fun; I’ve ordered a 2018 Urusei Yatsura in that same frame.

[Peteybob]

Where can I get more information on the group shipment thing? I've got a couple of machines on my list and this may be the better option.

Me too (options outside of Facebook?)

[lotsoballs]

after that Macross issue I looked at JT Comatz and didn't see any themes that interested me (ie my wife's not gonna be cool with japanese schoolgirls themes). I should make a better effort at looking more regularly, though; they do have a lot.

They send a monthly PDF list with pics of their Japan warehouse inventory; last month there was over 200 pachinkos alone; not including pachislos. What you see on the site is just the tip of the iceberg! They can find rare hard to find cells too!

[lotsoballs]

Where can I get more information on the group shipment thing? I've got a couple of machines on my list and this may be the better option.

Not the best timing; turns out the guy organizing the shipment must not have gotten vaccinated and is now hospitalized with COVID.

Hopefully he pulls through!

[lotsoballs]

Me too (options outside of Facebook?)

What are you looking for? I’ve got one more pachinko that’s being shipped from the Japan warehouse to them and will be added to the next shipment October probably; assuming the said organizer beats his COVID infection soon.

[Spyder138]

I am also curious how one would arrange shipping from NC? I saw the bulk shipment opportunity posted, but it seemed like it would be a great deal for the guy that was organizing and anyone in the NC area that could do a local pickup, but that it probably would be difficult and not very cost effective to have to arrange and pay for domestic shipping from NC to other destinations (in particular across the country to CA where I am located). Do you know how the guy was facilitating the domestic shipping?

[PekoJPF]

Glad you had a good experience with A-Pachinko. I'm currently sat having dinner with Satoru, one of the reps of A-Pachinko. He is extremely relieved to hear about this review! Especially re. the postage, Corona really has done a number on the shipping options. Visited the warehouse a couple of days ago too. Everything is well looked after and they have about 5,000 machines in stock right now. When I am next down there, I am planning to get some gameplay intro videos done on a few of their machines. A lot of these games are underrepresented outside of Japan but they really are fantastic.

[PekoJPF]

Sorry but could someone edit my previous post? When I mention "One of the reps", I'd like it to be "Satoru, one of the reps".

[lotsoballs]

I am also curious how one would arrange shipping from NC? I saw the bulk shipment opportunity posted, but it seemed like it would be a great deal for the guy that was organizing and anyone in the NC area that could do a local pickup, but that it probably would be difficult and not very cost effective to have to arrange and pay for domestic shipping from NC to other destinations (in particular across the country to CA where I am located). Do you know how the guy was facilitating the domestic shipping?

The organizer says he can send via FedEx, UPS, or Fastenal (commercial freight company). A cross country pachinko road trip would no doubt be a story of a lifetime though, right?

Their prices are really good; and cheap enough to help on shipping costs; for instance Juicy Honey was $320.

[Peteybob]

What are you looking for? I’ve got one more pachinko that’s being shipped from the Japan warehouse to them and will be added to the next shipment October probably; assuming the said organizer beats his COVID infection soon.

I am more curious about seeing this list that I keep hearing about
At this time cash is low while I'm off work from back surgery but am hopeful to buy again this fall.

[lotsoballs]

I am more curious about seeing this list that I keep hearing about
At this time cash is low while I'm off work from back surgery but am hopeful to buy again this fall.

PM me your email and I’ll forward the monthly emailed PDF list. If you contact them ask Sara or Karen to add your email to their mailing list.

Karen just sent me a preview of one of the machines I recently ordered before rigorously testing it prior to shipment!

[Drunkenclam]

interesting preview picture

[lotsoballs]

interesting preview picture

Interesting indeed!