The biggest problem with "established" dealers and "backyarders" is the impression they give that they ARE PINBALL enthusiasts to begin with. Llike any industry, it is driven by profit. The more they make, the happier they are. To increase profits, shortcuts are made and then we arrive at the "lazy" dealer. The single biggest issue I've seen in the industry is product knowledge, and an inate "ability" to price a machine without knowing the real value. Each machine should always be priced on its condition, not the sale of the last machine sold on eBay - or some ficticious private sale. Case in point - just look at the same pinballs that are relisted on eBay. Not once or twice, but FOR YEARS. This a reason this happens, and this trend will continue.
The level of service has dropped considerably, and this is due to many competing dealers and backyarders. Some of the "cover ups" are dodgy workmanship is simply embarassing. Did any ever believe the BS posted once that "all the remaining machines in Europe have been snapped up by us.." ? How many containers have landed since that deceiving diatribe ? Now there are more and more hobbyists buying containers and selling their games. Competition is fierce, and reputations are forged. Prices drop, but alarmingly, so has the quality of workmanship. Lots of newbies are getting caught out, and if you are a pinball tech, there's HEAPS of work around at the moment.
Pete - Sorry to hear of your issues - But as many are finding out, the hobbyist aspect of the industry has changed and will continue to do so. The best thing to do is learn from your experiences and try other dealers and backyarders until you are happy. It should be a priveldge to sell collectors and enthusiasts with high quality games, but unfortunately, a high percentage of sellers don't see it that way.
