The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Member Services => Sales and Services => Australian Pinball Restorations => Topic started by: Strangeways on August 02, 2016, 11:11:02 PM
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Just wanted to provide an update on where I am at. There appears to be a lack of progress on restoration threads and machines. This is partly true. I'm into my fourth year and spent most of my time learning how to run a business, as well as restoring pinball machines. There have been some valuable lessons learned and I've had some personal setbacks along the way.
An analogy of how I became overwhelmed with work was described to me that explains my biggest mistake. The day APR started, I spoke to 100 customers and said "yes" to everyone. I told everyone that their machine would be ready "in 1 year". At the conclusion of that year, I had 10 happy customers and 90 customers that were expecting games. I learnt a HARD lesson, but as it was pointed out to me, it didn't COST me my business or my sanity. The personal issues were HARD to deal with. Some outstanding issues are complex, and need attention.
But the last two weeks has seen some breathing space. As mentioned in another thread, my wife is basically going to do most of the legwork on the RTBB side of things. RTBB is a HUGE undertaking. It would take a very long winded post to explain what we have gone through to keep it going. It is thriving, but hugely demanding. It IS fair to say that RTBB has taken a lot of MY focus away from restoration work. That's my fault. But the only way I know to run RTBB, was the same approach I use for restoration work. Every minor detail is micro managed. There is still a long way to go until I get it where I want it to be. There's been some fantastic support from friends who have turned up with tools in hand and helped out with "fit out" and organization. You know who you are.
Two weeks ago, I re focused my attention back on APR. With some AMAZING help from Tim and Stu at HRP, they have worked on aspects of my High End Restorations. These huge undertakings are now the focus for the rest of the year. I know some of you are currently waiting for completed games. They are all being worked on. There will be a flood of restoration updates. There will be a HEAP of new restorations starting soon. I'm not taking on ANY NEW work unless collectors are willing to wait 2-3 years. I'm not going to rush my work.
A decision was made to cease onsite repairs. We now do NOT do ANY New workshop repairs. We are not reconditioning games any longer. Out focus is Restorations work, or High End Restoration work. That's all we are doing. There's a heap of news I want to share, new developments, ideas, business relationships and a heap of recent arrivals. I can guarantee that APR have made plans to be around for a very long time.
Anyway, I just wanted to let people know that things are "back to normal" with some important lessons learned. $#$
Four years ago I had a dream and a garage full of pinballs. So much has changed, with a VERY steep learning curve.
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Time flies, pretty tough running 2 business on your own, good news on the extra hands helping out ^^^
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Could have told you (and probably did) that you had taken on a HUGE task, but you had to find out for yourself , and find your own solution
Glad to see that you are focused on restorations, as that is where your heart is
Wish you well moving forward
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As rewarding as being your own boss can be, it does come with its own issues, and can be a steep learning curb. Great to see APR moving forward!
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All the best Nino :) I wish you all the best for the future :) and glad to hear you still have your sanity :)
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Could have told you (and probably did) that you had taken on a HUGE task, but you had to find out for yourself , and find your own solution
Glad to see that you are focused on restorations, as that is where your heart is
Wish you well moving forward
I remember that conversation well, Pete ! There was a lot of advise when I started from several people who had been down a similar road. I think you also mentioned that I HAD to take Holidays at some point ! It is difficult to describe, but I'm lucky that I work on pinballs, which was (still is) my hobby and passion. So I have not needed a break (yet).
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^^^ now get to work ^&^ good to hear your in a good space now and a sound game plan
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Great to hear Nino. The first years were always going to be steepest learning curve. Looking forward to seeing more great APR restos in the future. ^^^
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Sensational news ^^^
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Don't know how you kept your sanity mate you have done really well considering. Glad your going to get back into the restos there's no love in picking parts
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Good to hear mate, can't beat restoring on pinballs for a living ^^^
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Good stuff - looking forward to seeing some resto updates/completed threads and some machines getting outta the way of mine!
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Good stuff - looking forward to seeing some resto updates/completed threads and some machines getting outta the way of mine!
+100000
One is done and almost finished with another. Updates will appear as soon as I've had progress on several games.