Rant: Commitment to Purchase a Reproduction Backglass.
Ron, (Boatcat)
I talked to Ron Webb at great length
today. He was, needless to say, disappointed
in his latest reproduction, (Centigrade 37), in
which he had NO LESS than 11 commitment-
to-purchase cancellations.
I asked him if the glass was late in
arriving, he said, "Yeah, about 2 weeks," (which
to me, means it's not a factor).
I know there's a bad economy, I know
things happen from time to time, I know how
some pinball people are, but 11?? I wonder why
he even bothers doing this at all!
Ron had no idea until he received the
finished product from the screener.......and began
sending emails to the "Committers." According
to him, several didn't even bother to answer the
emails.
In the future, Ron needs to know that,
(for whatever reason), you can't live up to your
commitment ASAP, so a financial adjustment
can be made to keep his screener employed.
Because of this not-so-mild set-back, it may be
several months before the next glasses can be
started.........
Way-To-Go, Guys!
Royal Guard
Maybe a deposit should be required when he gets enough requests!!
But I agree with you, that many cancellations blows, hope he doesn't
quit the business.
mdolshan
I'll buy one. I don't even have that game but I love the backglass.
I'm going to write Ron Webb right now.
--Matthew
Mrhide
where do we reach him? I'll post this elsewhere to help
mdolshan
VDOJAQ
>
> - Show quoted text -
Agreed, a deposit MUST be part of the agreement when the commitment to
buy is made. Plus, that deposit, say $50, is NON-refundable unless the
glass is NOT produced. This will at least take some of the burden off
of Ron. Another idea would be like a 10% discount if a customer would
be willing to pre-pay, in full, for the backglass.
When money personal money is on the line for production, a deposit has
to be mandatory. This will weed out the non-buyers, or those who just
want to see something put on the market.
Just some rambling on my part....
Ron, (Boatcat)
> Maybe a deposit should be required when he gets enough requests!!
> But I agree with you, that many cancellations blows, hope he doesn't
> quit the business.
Do you really think a non-refundable
deposit would work? I know I wouldn't want to
be sitting back in my home fielding the whining
and hollaring of a pinball collector wanting his
deposit back after reminding him of his
"Commitment." I also wouldn't want to feel the
guilt of holding someone's non-refundable
deposit after politely being asked for return
because he lost his job.
all in all, several months pass
between commitment and final reception of the
merchandise. Ron may have to return a deposit
on a sale that is not completed, I don't know.
seymour.shabow
2 ways to go about it - gauge interest, and raise the price on the
product, or require the non-refundable deposit.
He's only making the BG's that people supposedly "want". The people
that say they want it and then when it's rubber to the road, back out,
should be put on a blacklist so that their votes don't count next time.
Or the non-refundable deposit.
-scott CARGPB#29
Royal Guard
Deposits in business happen all the time, I would be willing to leave
say a $50 deposit on a backglass. It does not have to be non-
refundable though!! Isn't Gene C. taking deposits on his KingPin
remake? It seems to be the only smart thing to do for Ron to cover his
ass IMO.
Chris Hibler
That's pretty disappointing.
A Webb backglass repro for a game I have and intend to keep is a must
for me.
I would hope that it doesn't come to a deposit or prepay situation...I
don't mind doing either but it would add to Ron's hassle. The margin
on these glasses can't be that large so additional hassle may cause
Ron to slow down or even quit which would be a bad thing for us
collectors.
I know that financial situations for people change, especially in this
economy, but I would hope that most people who make a commitment
follow through with it.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
frenchy
> deposit would work? I know I wouldn't want to
> be sitting back in my home fielding the whining
> and hollaring of a pinball collector wanting his
> deposit back after reminding him of his
> "Commitment." I also wouldn't want to feel the
> guilt of holding someone's non-refundable
> deposit after politely being asked for return
> because he lost his job.>>
If the guy lost his job, he's already getting a break by not having to
cough up the whole 200-300 bucks for the glass that he committed to
buying. His kids aren't going to starve over 50 bucks, if he's that
bad off he should be selling one or more machines to come up with some
income and not be hassling somebody for 50 bucks that he handed over
full well knowing it was not refundable.
Lloyd Olson
commits and he'd do them. Come time to pay 48 would disappear. Obviously he
no longer bothers making them. LTG :)
"Ron, (Boatcat)" <Boat...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:16d20bc6-a321-4ba4...@m1g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
Cayle George
deposits when you have a proven track record of creating a quality
product on a schedule, time and time again.
They really should be doing this if 11 backglasses are making or
breaking the business.
-cAyle
#1junkie
i have to say it is a pretty sad situation. Especially at the price
ron sells his backglasses for. I've dealt with Ron several times and i
find him to be a great person to deal with. his prices are very fair.
Please, if you don't intend on purchasing a glass please don't committ
to it. Ron is an assett to this hobby and i really hope he keeps on
proding glasses.
Big12bus
List the names, people who verbally commit need to hold up to their
end immediately. You said you would now DO IT!!!!....Especially not
even answering emails. PLEEZZZEE.......
As far as taking deposits I think you charge the whole amount of a
large percent of total. They either commit or they don't. This is
ridiculous.
You know who you are...come out and say I decommitted.. These folks
are putting their time and effort into this activity and to do this is
plain WRONG!!!!....
I can see if there are really nasty circumstances but 11 no
WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....................Say it...Say
it................
Bill
Hugh
I agree, their names should all be listed in this thread. I have
participated in pre-ordering art in the vid arcade hobby plenty of
times. If you have a reliable company or person doing the repros
there is nothing to worry about.
Hugh
Mickey Johnson
people
buying what they want and what they need. No one needs a backglass, because
of this, you are limited by a customer base that wants them. A customer
that wants
something is 'flakier' than a customer than needs an item. I do computer
consulting and
my customers need me. Because of this I can pretty much count on the
work/money. For awhile
I sold ATVS and I realized just how flakey customers can be. Since they
don't have to have it, they
want it right away, or not all. Also they tend to be much more likely to
flake out if the product is delayed
at all or not exactly what they thought they would get. The best way I can
describe it, is that a customer
that wants something (but doesn't need it) will do his best to spend his
cash as fast as he can, so if your
product isn't available right away, you better hope that he doesn't find
something else to spend it on while
he waits on you. Its weird that people will be that way, but many are.
"frenchy" <mf10...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:b0964696-44b9-4a71...@l25g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
Deadly
certain artwork being repro'd. They all said, "Everyone wants one and
when the time actually comes to pay no one will cough up the dough."
I say forget the $50 deposit theory and simply DEMAND that the printer
needs X amount of pieces to make the run. Take orders for the FULL
dollar amount and give a deadline for orders to be placed. If the
minimum requirement isn't met by the deadline the project doesn't move
forward and then and ONLY then will a full refund be made.
Face it ..... people are crap today. No values or morals and it screws
us honest folk every time. If the above steps are taken no one gets
screwed and it forces the crap people out of the mix.
Big12bus
You are correct. Agree completely. One other method is posting their
names for everyone to see. I WANT TO SEE the list. Matter of fact I
want pictures of them also. .... and their family photo :)
Bill
Hoov
committed. I can understand lack of money due to job loss, etc., but
what about all the others? Did you say you wanted one but didn't put
any money aside for it and now it's time to pay the piper? Was it
really a pipe dream all along and you made Ron believe you were
serious? A 2 week delay in getting the glass shouldn't have mattered
here. If I owned a Centigrade 37 and it needed a bg I would do
whatever it takes to get one - sell a project, etc.. I just don't get
it. Any of those that reneged care to comment? We're lucky to have
Ron and Shay so let's don't blow it guys.
Dave
Ron, (Boatcat)
>people buying what they want and what they need. No one needs a
>backglass
Then don't tell the man you'll buy it
when it becomes available in a few months.
There's no excuse for not taking responsibility
for your actions, IMO.
Big12bus
Ron, He is missing the point completely with his one off BS rant.
Spam at this point. Crap is probably a better word.
Bill
Mickey Johnson
I think you are so mad about this, you had trouble understanding what I
posted!
All I was showing was an example of how I had run into the same type of
people
when I was selling ATV's. That type of person doesn't feel he has any
responsibility
to take. His responsibility is just his own wants and desires. Not saying
its right, just
that there is a large percentage of buyers that feel this way.
Mickey Johnson
Bill I think you may also be so mad you are having trouble understanding
what I posted!
I was just stating how I had also run into the same problem when selling
atv's. It doesn't
make it right, but its something a seller needs to be aware of and adjust
for.
I would like to know how my opinion on the subject is a: RANT, SPAM and
CRAP.
I was just sharing my point of view on selling merchandise as a small
business on the side.
Jeez
Fred Kemper
You'd think Ron would be used to them by now. :/
--
Fred
TX
CARGPB#8
******************
"Ron, (Boatcat)" <Boat...@aol.com> wrote
Aeneas - www.flippers.be
Also my idea.. he starts a list to see what backglasses people are
interested in and which ones are most popular.
People can enter this list for free. He can start to work on the most
popular games.
Before he actually gives the order to the screener to make them, he
asks for a $50 non-refundable deposit to everyone who was on the list.
Only that amount of glasses will be produced (maybe a few more if he
really wants to have extras).
Once the glasses have been produced, people that paid a deposit must
pay the balance and receive the glass.
ciao,
Aeneas.
-- http://www.flippers.be
Chaz
> Pinball hobby flakes are often the worst kind.
>
> You'd think Ron would be used to them by now. :/
>
> --
> Fred
> TX
> CARGPB#8
> ******************
>
>
>
>
> > I talked to Ron Webb at great length
> > today. He was, needless to say, disappointed
> > in his latest reproduction, (Centigrade 37), in
> > which he had NO LESS than 11 commitment-
>
> - Show quoted text -
I would pay the full amount to Ron ahead of time for a "Jacks Open"
glass no problem...
Chaz.
Craig C
can group the people trying to fix up their game vs people looking for
a wall hanging?
-c
On Sep 8, 9:22 am, "Ron, (Boatcat)" <Boatca...@aol.com> wrote:
> I talked to Ron Webb at great length
> today. He was, needless to say, disappointed
> in his latest reproduction, (Centigrade 37), in
> which he had NO LESS than 11 commitment-
MetalPin
I would pay full in advance for a Joker Poker also. My patience is
getting toasty waiting for anyone to do one of these. And yes, I know
it shows up on websites as being in the works. I'm just really
getting tired of looking at cracks and flakes.
Michael
Michael
Mike Berger
The deposits should total the cost of making the glass, that way there
would have no downside to making them.
If someone can't pony up a deposit of at least 50%, then what are you
doing in the hobby anyway? Look what new ramps, plastic sets, etc.
cost.
Someone who wants a glass has obviously put money into the game
already...so the deposit should be a non issue.
Just my non-refundable 2 cents...
Mike
goatdan
why the whole deposit thing doesn't work. Ask for a full deposit up
front, and then make that many glasses and ship them once they are
done. If someone asks for a refund after that point, great -- but
don't email them and remind them they can take the money out, just
that the product is about to ship.
I'm all for pre-orders / deposits as long as the window period to get
in on such a thing is long enough for me to gather the money. I'm at
a point right now in my life that I can't just easily make money
appear, but if you have something I really want and give me three
months to pre-order it, I'll find a way to make it happen. And it
won't matter to me at all if I have to wait a week or two for it to
arrive.
Pappy Boyington
> You know who you are...come out and say I decommitted.. These folks
> are putting their time and effort into this activity and to do this is
> plain WRONG!!!!....
>
> I can see if there are really nasty circumstances but 11 no
> WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....................Say it...Say
> it................
Screw the whole deposit issue! People gave their word! It's THAT
simple. Bill is right, go ahead and list the names. There is no excuse
for not answering Rons emails!
I'm really trying to hold back a rant about this hobby.
Rich Wiski
Ron Lyons
sense to us, but maybe he doesn't like the idea of having people's
money and owing them something. I don't know. Steve @ PBR does
something similar, he bills everybody afterwards. Of course he's not
out on the line like Ron is when he prints backglasses on peoples
word, but he makes plenty of repro parts without money being collected
to do it.
I think one of the few marks of 'a man' is whether or not he keeps his
word. If somebody agrees to buy something, they ought to buy it, end
of story. If circumstances came up where I didn't have the money to
honor an obligation I've made, I'd find some way to make it right,
flaking out is not an option.
What the poster said earlier about needs vs. wants makes sense. I
suppose when people are talking about buying something as frivilous as
an antique, reproduction backglass they feel like they aren't
obligated to keep their word.
Ron
mdolshan
Centigrade 37 backglass from Ron Webb. It's spectacular.
Packed like a Faberge egg, too.
Many thanks to Ron for the valuable service he provides. Anyone who
crossed himself off the waiting list for one of these C37 glasses
should seriously reconsider!
--Matthew
Big12bus
Mickey, Sorry about my post. I went back and realized your point. I
get it now.
Please accept my apologies. You are right. I was so pissed i missed
your point.
Bill