some more thoughts on the PHOF
tim arnold
interest.
First of all, understand that Clay has been a great friend of our
project. He was on board early, before we ever opened, spending loads
of time and his own money to make the TOP tapes. I also value that he
has things to say about the project, sometimes negitive things, but he
is never shy and makes many good points.
As far as financial points that have been raised, yes, we do have
board members other than Charlotte and myself. Several are locals, and
one lives in California. We do meet and decide what the long term
direction of this project is. 2 members of the board are classified by
the IRS as "outside directors" with no connection the the day to day
operation of the muesum. Also, remember, we keep books, which are open
to the public for inspection. We also prepare and I sign, under
penelty of pergury, a tax return each year for the last 6 years. On
this tax return, it is clearly stated that NOBODY GETS PAID. No hourly
wages. No consluting fees. No trips to industry functions. No clothing
allounce. No milage allounce on cars. No insurance. Nothing. I am
working every day for free. I can afford to do this, as I am well off
and retired. Cash is strictly controlled. All cash in deposited in a
bank account. All payments are made by check or visa debt card. There
is no petty cash drawer, brimming with 50 dollar bills that I grab
when ever I need dough. We could not have gone as far as we have with
this project without a strict business-like system in place.
For the last year, we have given almost nothing to charity. The new
building has gobbled up all we can feed it and more. There is nothing
wrong with this. I would like nothing more than to get back to making
regular checks out to help the homeless. But our lease at the rental
museum is up Nov 1st, and we had to decide. Move the project up and
ahead, or stay stagnent and die.
I would also like to set the record straight about the purchase price
and terms. We paid 1.2 million for the building. The club had 700K in
the bank, thanks to our friends over the years that have given their
quarters and dollars. The rest of the money came from me, as a loan
with a first secured interest. It is a revolving loan with no set
principal payment required. The rate is set at 500 basis points BELOW
prime, which today is 2.75 percent. If any one thinks this is taking
advantage on my part, your are wrong. A bank loan would be in the 4-8
percnet range and would require regular principal payments.
Clay also makes the point that many things at the old museum are rinky-
dink, ass backwards, and just plain not nice. I gave him a tour of the
new building and showed him where the games were going to go. The
space between the rows of games is getting 40 percent bigger so there
will be more room to move around. The number of 400 was never set in
stone, but I need a nice round number to give people when they ask. It
might be more or less. We are going to strive to make it nicer for the
players. We are NOT planning to make it as wide open and spaced out as
the PAPA facility. To compare land and building use in rural
Pennsilvania to within 1 mile of the biggest hotel corner on Earth is
not fair. We will have straight rows of pinballs. They will not be
artful and meander. We will not have enough room for people to move
BETWEEN games as they do at PAPA. We are planning a snack area where
spouses and those who want to rest can sit down. The air conditioning
is HUGE. The bathrooms are twice as big with real commercial fixtures.
The parking lot is well lit. The floor is smooth and clean. We are
going from 200 amps of electric to 800 amps. From 10-12 games per
breaker to 8-10. No expense has been spared to make this NICE.
I also have had a lot of feedback, both from Clay and others about us
not being a museum, but just a room full of games. I spend most of my
day in the museum talking to people. Very few complain that they can
not read every detail about the history of pinball in our place. They
DO complain if the flippers don't work or if a game is busted and
junky. It is our intention to not spend a lot of time on history. If
you want to get the background of where pinball has come from, there
are better places that do a wonderful job. Read the Pingame Journal.
Go to IPDB.org. Read some of the books that have been published. BUY
SOME TOP VIDEOS. The PHOF is the only place on Earth you can come and
PLAY THE GAMES 365 days a year. Give them a quick thumbnail history on
each games. We do not have history dioramas, art exhibits,
tournaments, pizza, robot animal revues. We do have a ROOM FULL OF
GAMES that all run at least well.
Clay also says that the PHOF is turning into just another arcade. He
also points out that this was a sore spot with the county when we went
thru our land use-license battle this summer. As I pointed out to the
county, if we are an arcade, go into Game Works, Chuck E. Cheese, DAve
and Busters, or any other mall or street arcade and compare their
product with ours. They have modern fighting and driving games. We
have Chicago Coin Speedway and Big Top rifle. They have redemption
machines. We do not. They have few if ANY pinballs. We have 80 percent
pinballs. Our average age is 1979. They have all new stuff. Please do
not look at the room full of games. Pay attention to the GAMES IN THE
ROOM! The county say our point on this and granted us both a land use
as a museum, and a business license which we do not pay by the game.
I also heard loud and clear Clay and others complaint that we have
been romoving old machines and replacing them with new machines ever
since we opened. The first week, our newest pinball was South Park and
our only video game was Pong. We began to shift our product mix
because of popular demand. We bought one of every new Stern pinball
the day it came out. (If more operators would do this, the industry
would not be some sick right now) To do this, we had to displace 20 to
30 older machines. I hated to do it, and one of the main reasons we
are moving to a new space is so we can bring back the old stuff in the
200 or so new spaces. Even if we wanted to, we could only buy 2 to 3
new pinballs a year. It would take 75 to 100 years to push this many
oldies aside. I also see nothing wrong with having the nice new Stern
titles in the front row. It gererates interest in the old stuff and
keeps the youngsters that used to drift out.
So what is next for the PHOF? We will at some point in the next month
move in. We will take the 200 from the old space and move them to the
new space. We will leave the other half of the space open, and take
our time moving in finished product from the Hit Shed one at a time. A
game will not go on the floor until it is ready. Games that have been
sitting need attention, and we will sell no wine before it's time.
look for some section of the new space to be roped off till we can get
caught up. We will also be spending time and money to finish non code-
compliant items we had to set aside durning the buildout. Signage,
publicity, fundraising, and millions of other details will need to be
addressed. We even plan to install (GULP!) a phone!
I welcome aditional critical comments and thoughts.
Bowen Kerins
forward to seeing the new venue, but am terribly sad to hear there
will not be any robot animal revues. You sure you can't at least get
one of those old "Musical Monkeys" machines? ;)
I also feel from a business standpoint, it makes sense to have enough
of the new games to support people who are repeat customers. The fact
is that there is nowhere near enough walkthrough traffic to the PHOF
for it to do business like a traditional "museum". To stay afloat
PHOF either needs to rely on massive public donations, or money from
customers. And if a customer comes in to play some Spider-Man, they
might end up moving over and playing some Gottlieb Spider-Man while
they're in the place...
Best wishes to you and all the PHOF volunteers.
- Bowen
PinKool
project! It's been a long road since those first few Fun NIghts in the
1990's, but it now looks like a dream will become a "fully completed"
reality! Congratulations!
The old location was a blast, but the new PHoF will be huge! I checked
out the new location a few months ago and I bet you could fit 500
games in there! I can't wait for the grand opening!
Now we'll need to have a new donation fund for a Las Vegas style neon
sign. That would be cool to see a big PHoF neon sign on Tropicana Ave!
You also said sometime ago that people would be able to sponsor a
machine. Bring back Sonic Prospector!... Or there would be a PHoF
membership club. Will we see these soon?
Suggestion: Put all EM machines on 5 ball play!!!
Tim, thanks again for all your hard work!!!
MrBally
>
> Now we'll need to have a new donation fund for a Las Vegas style neon
> sign. That would be cool to see a big PHoF neon sign on Tropicana Ave!
>
I await the installation of the Bally guy juggling the balls and
slot machine pinwheel removed during the demolition of the Belmont
plant to glow once again with the red, green and white neon at the new
PHoF.
Sean Kavanagh
Thanks for taking the time to update us. And thanks to both you and
Clay for the tireless work you both do to support pinball...especially
the EM stuff. Good luck and I hope to be able to visit again soon...
Sean
PinPlayer
over the years, without a historical perspective and teachings of
pinball origin and time lining major events along its journeys path
you are not a museum. You are offering nothing more than a house of
nostalgia for those seeking the past. Also without the educational
component and associated memorabilia (pinball related items other than
a machine) for the general public to view and ponder, the experience
for the average person would be akin to finding your dream game on
location with only one flipper working, very disappointing and
incomplete.
Don...
tomdotcom
down and visiting the PHOF from Canada. We must embrace anybody who is
involved with pinball these days. Whether it be suppliers, vendors,
musuems, producers, etc. Pinball is dying, it's up to ALL of us to
help keep it alive for as long as possible...end ramble...
Adm56
I really don't care what it's called...I just think it's cool that
there is a place with this many machines due in no small part to the
fact that a major operator had the foresight to not throw all these
games in the dumpster back in the day. And I'm glad that I was able
to help out in a small way with the purchase of a few TOP videos
(which are great in their own right).
But there are a few simple ideas that could make it MORE of a
museum...maybe decorate the walls with designer memorabilia...maybe
folks could donate some stuff. Original playfield drawings etc would
be cool. Maybe hang a whitewood on the wall. Not sure how much of
this stuff is lying around but it seems like a lot of the designers
are around and could be asked.
From here the ideas get a bit crazier I'm afraid...
To me pinball machines have two very cool things going for them (and
of course many more against them): they are fun to play, but they are
also very cool 'mechanical toys'. I have a very small collection but
I always make a point of cracking a game open when rookies come over
to play...they usually enjoy seeing inside. Many of them don't have a
clue how they work and enjoy seeing behind the curtain. Of course
some of them ask to the see the magnets under the playfield that suck
the ball SDTM but I digress. Anyways...here is the crazy idea:
Take two machines with bad cabinets...one old EM and one of more
recent vintage...maybe a 90's Williams/Bally. Modified the cabinet
with plexiglass or something so you can see through them. And then
provide enough space so folks can see the inner workings while someone
else plays. I think folks would get a kick out of it.
Eric S
service? Now that is impressive!
Eric
"tim arnold" <pinballh...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:08b46c62-3a5c-4b20...@k33g2000yqa.googlegroups.com...
funrudy
<08b46c62-3a5c-4b20...@k33g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,
tim arnold <pinballh...@msn.com> wrote:
> I welcome aditional critical comments and thoughts.
Tim:
Incredible!
That's all I have to say with all you have done.
Your time, expertise, personal expen$e and dedication to the hobby is
well appreciated. The same goes for Clay and Norm. I have learned,
admired and benefited from all you have done.
The fact that we are about a month away from a bigger, better, more
packed PHoF is news I have waited over 10 years for!
The old location was great in it's own right but I can't wait to get
there in 5 weeks! (After the In-N-Out burger but of course!)
As for the historical perspective, just a small note card as you have
done in the past would be enough to keep those interested in the
"historical significance" aspect of a museum. The game before, after and
and "firsts" or "this game made yada yada yada", production numbers and
so forth will keep those without a working knowledge of the IPBD and so
on interested. A small card with this info goes a long way. Maybe even
someone here can come up with a template to just fill in the details or
suck them out of the IPBD would even be easier.
As for the roped off area for Pins-In-Progress, GREAT IDEA! Gives people
a preview of what is in the lineup to come and make them come back.
Advertising? That has to be addressed. There are still alot of people
who do not go to Casino's or have much to $pend so they have to know
about you. Airport Advertising, Cab, Limo tops? A fun advertisement to
make people aware there is a different type of entertainment around that
they can relive their past, drop the kids off, or just be unique? If you
get a few more people a day in, all the better.
Interns? Any local schools offer an Intern program to get "help" in as
maybe some school/college credits? Maybe along the lines of "exposure in
the real business world" or something?
I am thinking 365 days has to take it's toll and this might be a way for
cheap labor or a body to help out.
I sure more will come to me as I have a long, snow-bound weekend of pin
repair to do.
Thanks for the updates, clarifications and most of all, the dedication
to pinball! People like us who have the passion appreciate everything
anyone does to make the hobby more fun and enjoyable!
Edd
Steve
Thanks for all of your efforts!!!! You don't owe anyone an
explanation of what you're doing or how you're doing it.
Can't wait to see the new place.
Steve
jackofdiamonds
Not sure if this helps,but merchandise will add to your revenue.T-
shirts,hats,bumper stickers.Combining elements of Las Vegas and
pinball should be easy for a good graphics person.This will appeal to
tourists,gamblers,and of course pinheads.You could sell on your
website so folks who haven't had a chance to visit can still grab some
memerobilia.A cool key fob(pinball stlye) would also work.Silverball
Museum in Asbury Park does this.I was only there once and almost every
person coming or going bought something!!!Think about it.Good
Luck,Scott
thaiisl...@yahoo.com
wrote:
I've been to PHOF about 5 or 6 times now, and I find it refreshing to
know that when I come in you'll always have the newest machine
available from Stern sitting there to play. It's hard to find a local
op now that carries brand new equipment. Don't get me wrong, I love
seeing and playing those rare machines that you don't see everywhere,
and all the classic EM's, but I always find myself putting in a few
games on the latest and greatest Stern when I'm there. Thanks for all
you do.
Randy
GMS
Thank you for the updates. Remember, no matter what you do and how
you do it, there will be critics. You should run it your way, not
that you shouldn't take any suggestions. I have been to the current
PHOF and look forward to going to the new one the next time I am in
Vegas. I think you should definitely keep getting the new Sterns when
they come out. If it is considered a pinball machine the PHOF should
have it! I agree also that if you want to research a pinball, go to
the IPDB, if I am at the museum, I am going to be there to play
pinball not read about pinball. The way you have been doing it is
obviously working, otherwise you would have shut down a long time ago,
not buying a million dollar building for expansion. Don't let the
negative comments bring you down.
MrBally
> Wow, you're able to run the existing PHOF on only a 200 Amp electrical
> service? Now that is impressive!
>
> Eric
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
I think he made a rounding error.
Ned Ledod
Hi Tim, Please don't waste your precious time dealing with this
stuff. Keep on doing what you think is right. You have helped so many
pin guys and homeless people over the years. I don't think most people
know the Las Vegas homeless story. As you once told me, Las Vegas is
the "Last Chance" destination for many families. The husband takes the
family there and blows his wad and leaves the family there for the
Salvation Army to take care of them. There is no way of knowing what
your gifts have done to help save families left in this way.
David Silverman in D.C. is trying to go the pinball museum route and
he has done a great job so far. If you attended his show in Michigan a
few years ago, you know what I mean. I think there is room for both of
these type of "Museums". Tim's is the hands on museum, and Davids will
be the history, look but don't touch museum. I contribute to both and
hope that they will both be successful.
Dennis Dodel
spclwhenlit
>
Tim (and Clay),
I've followed this thread with interest, mainly because it's
interesting to me to hear about the PHOF, but also because of the
MAJOR contributions both Tim and Clay have made to this hobby.
As far as the actual set up and operation of the PHOF goes, I'm not
picky. Anyplace that allows you to play that many pinball machines, SS
and EM, is good in my book. I haven't been out to the PHOF yet, but
had been to a few Fun Nights at Tim's, which were a blast, and have a
Victory Derby backglass to prove it!
So here's my take on the whole "controversy". I'm totally convinced
that both Tim and Clay are completely dedicated to the hobby, in a
selfless way that very few can claim. Many years ago when I got
started in the hobby, Tim was kind enough to share the Hit Shed with
me and a few friends in Vegas for a golfing trip. We spent the whole
afternoon there, with the run of the house! Tim didn't know me from
Adam, but allowed us into his "home" to play his "treasures". He was
busy getting ready for that year's Fun Night, but still took time out
to talk about some of the games, share tips, etc. Now that I think
about it, Tim's was the first "collection" I ever saw, and he was the
first "pinhead" I ever met. What an introduction into the hobby!
Likewise, although I've never met Clay in person, I can tell you that
I would never have been able to pursue the hobby without his repair
guides. Never. The sheer amount of work that Clay has put into his
repair guides, not to mention the TOP videos, is staggering to me. I
know there are hundreds, if not thousands of other pinball hobbyists
that would tell you the same thing.
Bottom line? Tim was instrumental in getting me interested, and Clay
was instrumental in keeping me involved in a hobby that has given me
many years of enjoyment, with many more (hopefully) to come. Here's
hoping that they both keep up the good work.
Mark in SC
HandsOfStone
Well said Tim, well said. I've never been to the HOF but tell
everyone I know that is headed to Vegas all about it and to stop by.
I hope to make it out there soon. You don't owe any of those
complaining mouthbreathers an explanation. I've always said that if
you handed out free pie to everyone a percentage would complain about
it and a few would even sue you. That's just the way it goes...
John
Dan Q.
I dunno, one online definition of "museum" simply says:
"a building or place where works of art, scientific specimens, or
other objects of permanent value are kept and displayed."
Sounds like it qualifies to me. Maybe it falls short of the
"educational interpretation" clause of another definition, but this
isn't exactly archaeology.
Reinhard
pinball game, than stand behind some red ropes and read about it and admire
it's art from afar.
After all, Pinball was meant to be PLAYED! So, what better way to learn
about the game of pinball than to be able to play it - in its natural
setting - what others might call an arcade.
Thanks Tim for all you do to offer Pinball for all to play!
RB