Vendors of pinball component distributors
Vendors of pinball component distributors
I recently mailed my initial payment for pinball components—it surprised me with its overall cost. While not excessively surprising, it was a notable amount. After researching prices, I believe I received fair value—it’s just that I hadn't anticipated the expense of acquiring a large quantity of switches, along with all the fundamental supplies necessary for someone new to repairs.
However, I’m curious: For those of you experienced with pinball maintenance, what are your thoughts on the various vendors available? Do you prioritize cost, selection of parts offered, or the level of care and attention they provide?
From the rec.games.pinball discussion board:
Terry at PBL is a reliable source for equipment and components…
www.pinballlife.com
Andrew relayed this message from Boyd Bottorff:
> I recently mailed my initial payment for pinball components—I was surprised by the unexpected cost. It wasn’t a huge surprise, but it was noteworthy nevertheless. I investigated and believe I received fair pricing—I simply hadn't anticipated how expensive it becomes when purchasing a large quantity of switches simultaneously, along with other essential items for someone new to restoration.
> However, I’m curious: For those of you who maintain pinball machines, what are your thoughts on various vendors? How do you assess their pricing and the range of parts they offer? Do they provide good customer service?
I regularly purchase pinball components, and the total cost can be surprising – most smaller items aren't expensive individually, but when you order a lot of them together, the bill becomes substantial. I’ve experienced this before.
I tend to spread my orders across several vendors, and I've found that working with multiple sources is often the best approach due to limited availability of unusual parts.
PBR offers a wide selection and consistently competitive pricing, with their 10% discount for orders over $100 being very beneficial. Steve is usually helpful, though some describe him as somewhat gruff; I prefer to place orders via email for convenience.
BAA is another excellent option, tied with Marco for the top online store in terms of price and speed. BAA ships via First Class, which is convenient for smaller orders where I don't need immediate delivery. BAA generally has the best prices on star posts and bridge rectifiers.
Marco’s website is also good, but their fixed shipping charge can be problematic for small orders – it's best to combine items to minimize this cost. Their shipping rate is clearly displayed on their website.
Pinball Life ships quickly and has reasonable prices, particularly for rings and bulbs. Terry is a friendly individual who confirms orders with email confirmations, which I appreciate. Shipping costs are based on the total amount spent rather than weight, a system that can be advantageous when ordering larger items like coin doors or legs.
Dave at FAO is a genuinely kind person and frequently stocks difficult-to-find parts, especially from Stern. I don't always send as much business his way as possible, but he’s a valuable resource.
Centsible Amusements used to be a reliable source, and they still offer low prices, fast shipping, and good customer service. I remember receiving my first pinball parts order from them, where the owner patiently guided me on how to remove a lockdown bar and lift the playfield.
Great Plains Electronics specializes in transistors, WPC game rebuild kits, and other electronic parts for pinball. Dealing with Ed is simple because he’s always willing to give helpful advice on tools and components.
Finally, there are numerous individuals who create custom products or provide specialized services, such as Cliffy, a skilled artisan of stainless steel. It’s great to have so many talented people in this hobby, all sharing a common passion—
If I could just locate enough parts to restore my second I500, I'd be overjoyed—
--
http://www.myhomegameroom.com
"Boyd Bottorff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1h1vhvr.1eievdd1b0iuyyN%[email protected]...
>I just sent off my first ever check for pinball parts... had a bit of
>sticker shock when I found out what the total was. Not too much of a
>shock, but enough of one. I checked around, and I don't think I was
>ripped off-- I just wasn’t expecting how much it comes to when you buy
>*that many* switches at a time. Plus all the other basic stuff a
>first-timer needs.
>
> But I was wondering-- those of you who work on pins: how do you feel
>about the different suppliers out there? Price? Variety of parts
>available? Amount of TLC they give you?
From the rec.games.pinball discussion board:
Boyd Bottorff inquired about opinions on various parts vendors – considering factors like cost, part selection, and the level of attention to detail they provide.
He expressed a preference for Pinball Life due to his membership in CPM, resulting in convenient part deliveries at group meetings.
However, he also acknowledged Pinball Life’s ownership of a Ripley's and admitted to potential bias.
Generally, if Terry doesn't have a part needed, he would then contact Dave at FAO or BAA. These three vendors typically fulfilled his regular needs. He added that numerous other reputable dealers were available, names mentioned by John, and he would leave it at that.
I procure my bumper pads, bulbs, and a wide assortment of Pinball supplies exclusively from Pinball Life. He offers the three attributes I value most when purchasing: superior quality, competitive pricing, and prompt delivery. Furthermore, I appreciate Terry’s business model—an independent operator running his operation from home—and enjoy supporting that kind of endeavor. He effectively diminished competition on eBay by providing the most favorable prices, causing some other reputable sellers to suffer losses. However, less experienced vendors seeking to compete with comparable items aren't attempting to match his levels of value. zTim
This message was originally posted on the rec.games.pinball discussion board.
Someone missed mentioning Penn-Ray. They offer competitive rates. I haven’t yet experienced their support, but I am considering them for my upcoming purchase.
Gregg B.
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (
More info?
)
Yep! And Kerry Stair at mantisamusements.com
He not only makes awesome protectors and weldments for many games but he
also has other more obscure parts. Not only that but he's just a great guy!
I wanna throw a bone out to Mike at MAD Amusements too. I just hope
things are getting better for him personally so he can get back to
business
PinDude wrote:
> You guys forgot to mention Penn-Ray. Best prices. I can't comment on
> their service, as I haven't used them, yet. I was thinking of using
> them for my next 'order'.
>
> Gregg B.
>
--
Cliffy - CARGPB2
A passion for pinball!
http://www.passionforpinball.com
I wanted to share my opinion and recommend Pinball Resource. Although I experienced some issues with a recent purchase – partly because of my lack of detailed instructions – they promptly sent the replacement part and added a switch and several boxes of bulbs as a complimentary gift. That’s excellent service!
From the rec.games.pinball discussion board:
To Aaron,
Please remember that Steve is consistently friendly and easy to work with. His customer service really stands out. Those claims about him are completely overblown. PBR typically ships promptly and before payment is received, but I prefer to purchase from vendors like Ray, Terry, Marc, Billy-Ray, Happ, and others who demonstrate good judgment. PBR has both advantages and disadvantages, but I’ve only ever been berated by Steve Young. Perhaps he would modify his unpleasant demeanor if his business suffered, though that’s unlikely. Chris Kruger