Is your fathom Backglass also a little streaky?
Put a light behind that purple patch, the color is not as solid as it could be
Nino, like you, I like it that CPR is making reproductions
but sometimes they do drop the ball
Eightball playfield, is streaky in the solid green
a hole is out of place on Xenon
Small problems, sure
but I will keep buying from them
Pete - I didn't have a requirement for the backglass, as all my Fathoms have nice backglasses. I posted earlier on this thread that there is definitely an error on this backglass and I'm not convinced that the reply from CPR was valid. I agree they dropped the ball on this project. I would still purchase this backglass over the repro done by Phoenixarcade as I've seen that glass and there is a loss of detail in places. It's more "pixilated".
Sorry, I cannot agree with your assessment of CPR's products. .....
<and so on, snipped for brevity by Firepwer, but in full one reply below this>
Not quite sure why you've come in so heavily here Nino, you've probably fanned a fire that would have quietly burnt out naturally but I happily stand by what I said.
You (and I and others) quite willingly and happy jump on the band wagon to criticise and ridicule ebayers selling machines that are inaccurately or falsely over described, detailed faults are picked out and articulated on this site so I don't really get why my comment in this thread drew such a strong defence from you. As I stated I've never bought anything from CPR and I add that I have nothing to gain by either knocking or plugging them or anyone else.
If you contend that being a small business or having saved some machines or having some good products is justification for not completely and accurately describing a product then I do not agree. CPR know there are faults with a few of their products and yet they do not state these faults - this is dishonest and misleading. There is absolutely no justification for this. That they are hobbyists is irrelevant, clearly they are running a commercial operation and seeking to make money.
As to the list of products "not up to scratch", putting aside the emphasis you altered by the clumsy cutting of my words which more accurately quoted were "a few products not up to scratch", I was happy enough with what had been listed in this thread (the Fathom bg, the Gorgar and SI plastics) and thought these examples spoke more than well enough to support my comments. You've expanded the list well but missed a few also; there are minor faults with Diner, Seawitch, BK2000, Comet, EATPM plastics and earlier issues with the plastic used on those for Diner, Banzai and Pinbot. Not all of these are currently for sale and some errors may have been fixed in subsequent reruns. However it suggests to me that generally their quality control is poor.
When known, faults need to be spelt out on their sales web site so potential purchasers know that they are buying a product that is not a faithful reproduction. Many people will find these faults small or have no alternative and be happy or at least willing to accept them as they are - that's the purchasers' choice to make once they have the full information. I think CPR would look much more credible by doing this. Additionally having read some of the discussions and answers provided by CPR in this thread and on other forums - RPG and AussieArcade - I find the CPR attitude to mistakes and the responses to customers to be lacking and far below satisfactory.
Finally I didn't and don't set out to crucify them, we are certainly better off with them, my intent was just to recommend caution. I'm glad you're happy with them Nino, but for me, my bottom line remains "I'd beware".
EBay machines are not reproductions. Can't see a correlation at all.
I've come in "heavy" because CPR have filled a HUGE hole in pinball restoration, and I'm tired of the negative opinions from people who have not used their products to preserve a pinball machine and seen the benefits provided by this service. I'm not singling you out Firepower, I'm just stating my opinion as I see it, based on spending thousands with CPR and having an understanding of their process and time spent providing the service.
I knew the Haunted House had a slight window registration issue prior to buying it. Took 5 minutes to move the display. Much better than having no backglass on my machine.
CPR have dropped the ball - I've ALREADY stated this earlier. Not sure why you think I'm defending their mistake, because I'm not. You have painted a picture that their products have flaws and they lack quality control. That's my beef. I have listed the repro parts I've purchased and NONE have flaws. ALL of them are stunning and faithful reproductions. I could not be happier with their service, attention to detail and the fact that they are hobbyists that went to the trouble of tooling up and providing a service to preserve pinball machines.
Slight color variations. I've heard that as well. I agree with their reasoning that the colors of the plastics should be faithful to the original. They are not going to produce different "fades" to suit each customer. They were upfront about EATPM when it was brought to their attention. I'm sure that they have learnt a lot from producing over 40 plastics sets and only had issues with a few sets. The CPR guys are always happy to address issues on RGP - where all the feedback seems to be posted. Some complaints are valid, some are not. Some post complimentary comments. I don't post on RGP, and I'm sure that my comments would be positive. I think Kevin and mike have answered and admitted to issues when they arise. I guess it is difficult to repro a plastic from 30 years from an unfaded NOS original (if it can be sourced). Honestly, I don't mind a slight variotion if it means I don't have to stare at a broken slingshot plastic on my repro playfield.
If buyers have any concerns or doubts about what they are buying, there is always a gallery of the product to view where an informed descion can be made prior to purchasing. What I find interesting is that not one single thread on RGP has highlighted the Fathom issue. All feedback has been complimentary.
I understand your problem with CPR is that their business model lacks being upfront about issues. I'm happy that there is someone providing the service and I can see past the low percentage of errors. In fact, I've bought a few "seconds" items from the "Bargain Basement".
Fathom Backglass - It is the wrong color. If I had a Fathom with a damaged or missing backglass, I'd still buy it.
