WARNING! Marco Specialties
ArcadeUpkeep
Knoebels around for opening weekend, unfortunately if you were coming
up to play Theater of Magic it won’t be working, you can thank Marco
for that. I ordered a flipper rebuild kit for it in December when we
ordered all of our standard yearly parts for the machines and I put
them in yesterday. First of all the kit came with two left flippers
and no right flipper, not a big deal but a pain since I have to use
the old part for it. But more importantly, we played two games on it
and the roll pin fell out of the right side. I looked at the
assemblys and found the left side was about to fall out also.
I thought that was odd as I’ve never seen a roll pin just fall out
before. And where it fell I’ll never know, it’s gone. I knew Marco
was always good about stuff in the past so I called then for a
replacement and was told since the part was ordered in December
there’s nothing they can do. I explained how we order all the
standard parts in December and this wasn’t installed until yesterday
and it fell apart almost immediately and was told I should have
installed them in December that way I would have known.
Normally I can only say good things about Marco, and I order a lot
from them but after this I’m going to be looking elsewhere for my
parts. The convenience of ordering from them was far outweighed when
the owner of the place came over to play his newly shopped out game
and I had to tell him it doesn’t work, the new parts he bought fell
apart.
So cross your fingers we’ll have enough time to get back to it and put
the old parts back in but we’re really hustling to get everything
working for opening day and I don’t know if we will.
Sorry guys,
Brandon
Copperpot
Interesting, I had the same thing happen to a rebuild kit for my IJ
that I bought from PBL, luckily I found the pin and was able to put it
back in place... I wonder if they source the parts from the same
supplier and the issue is there...
-Wes
gbi...@gmail.com
apparently costing them enough business that their CS is suffering
because of it.
Last order I placed from them they charged me $15 for shipping. The
package I received was the smallest flat rate box in existence, with
the parts wedged in as tightly as possible. It included a flipper
rebuild kit, which the bag it was in was all perforated with loose
parts rattling around. Who knows if all the stuff is even in there.
It wasn't even a quality bag. More like those cellophane bags that
come with products that include 'Made In China' on the box. They
saved a bundle on packing material, too. There wasn't room in the box
for them to add any.
Doubling the shipping rate is gouging. Tripling the actual shipping
rate is downright criminal.
It's all fun and games until someone's livelihood depends on it..
-Gregg B.
sniffsnerk
>
> - Show quoted text -
The same thing happened to me!
ldnayman
At least their shipping charges are fair.
Ry
I think most can agree, I know someone on here won't, that Marco
screws you on shipping. As for their Customer Service, I think they
may have missed that training when it came around. I still buy from
Marco as they do have a broader selection then most but I use them as
a third choice. Problem with this is, when I do order from them, it is
a small order that typically fits in a Priority envelope (not box but
an envelope) and I am charge a minimum of 7.95 for shipping. If it
were sent in a small bubble envelope it would cost $1.98 to ship and .
79 cents for the envelope. Hate to knock any company that has a decent
inventory but when your prices are higher than others (check the
difference in light sockets alone between PBR and Marco) and you have
excessive shipping rates ..... people will continue to goes elsewhere.
Lloyd Olson
"ArcadeUpkeep" <Brandon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fda11db7-a53d-4ada...@k22g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
mikepin
obsoulete piece of shit pinballs. MAybe he will move on to car
parts. He dont need the agravation.. mike pacak
Toolguy
One, (1) machine will not be ready for the opening and you are
slamming Marco here now?
Only the one machine will be down?
Try the used parts like LTG said.
I realize you are frstrated and it sucks, but I think to post this is
a bit much...
Pinball Plus
I had a high end MM that I went and did a service call on . Were from
PBL flipper kits. Seen it m,ore than once roll pin falls out . Now on
new flipper kits i put a little epoxy on both sides of the plunger
where the roll pin goes tio seal it in place. I wont ever need to
remobve the roll pin as if the link fails i always replace plunger/
link as a set.
Pinball Plus
Marco doesnt make the kits. Might be a supplier issue. be glad someone
is making parts at all for your games.
gearheaddroppings
So you buy parts back in December, wait to install them a few days
before an event and then blame the whole catastrophe on Marco?
Maybe they will go out of business so we aren't bothered by them any
longer...
gbi...@gmail.com
the parts of the kit invidually on the packing slip.
People here are cool with their CS telling this guy to pound sand?
Nice. How about, "Sorry for the mixup, we will get the correct part
right out to you".
Please don't close up shop on account of us needing your business.
God forbid we'd have to go to PBR, Bay Area or Pinball Life, all of
whom have excellent CS.
-Gregg B.
Rick Swanson
> Knoebels around for opening weekend, unfortunately if you were coming
> up to play Theater of Magic it won’t be working, you can thank Marco
> for that. I ordered a flipper rebuild kit for it in December when we
> ordered all of our standard yearly parts for the machines and I put
> them in yesterday.
So, if I'm reading this correctly, you received the parts in December
of 2010, you needed the order to be correctly filled so that you could
open on April 30, 2011, and you first looked to see if your order was
correctly filled on April 27, 2011.
Rick Swanson
Chippewa-Pin
charges a little high, sometimes on certain things. Customer support,
I find them better than most. From a supply standpoint, I couldn't
imagine not having them or Bay Area.
Ken
web site. I check my order, right when I get it. If I waited five
months to check my order, I would'nt expect Marco or anyone else to
take any returns.
My two cents
Ken
Max Badazz
> of 2010, you needed the order to be correctly filled so that you could
> open on April 30, 2011, and you first looked to see if your order was
> correctly filled on April 27, 2011.
I bought a loaf of bread from Hannaford Supermarket back in December.
I just made myself a sandwich today for the long drive to get a pin.
The bread was all moldy. I brought it back to Hannaford with the
receipt but they didn't want to take it back. CS at the supermarket
said "You should have made a sandwich back in December".
Not sure what the issue is here?
Chris (in NH)
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/maxbadazz
SoCalPinballs
I just received an order from Marco that was missing something. I
emailed them late last night and this morning when I woke up I had a
response saying they didn't know how it happened and they will take
care of it. No questions at all. My next email was from them showing
the parts were shipping today. My experience with their customer
service has always been extremely positive.
MrBally
Buy your bread and pinball parts at Sears; Satisfaction guaranteed or
your money back.
Adm56
I think it's pretty clear if you read the original post. One item
arrived 'defective' (unless YOU only expect your roll pins to last a
day or so) and one pawl was wrong (two left...no right). Now he might
have noticed the second problem if he'd immediately inspected his
order, but hard to blame him on the first. Marcos should consider the
size of the original order (I assume it was pretty large...I don't
know what Playland is) and the history of the customer (do they 'cry
wolf' alot?) before telling them to 'eat $%#$' because 30 days have
passed.
I bought some bad flipper bats one time (doesn't really matter from
who but it wasn't Marcos). Plenty of play between the bat and the
bushing but the bats broke where the shaft mounts to the plastic after
about 10 plays. I was PISSED that I'd have to rebuild that flipper
again. Not that much time involved but I had a lot of stuff to work
on. The vendor in that case immediately provided two replacements.
Should they have told me to go to hell if it was 30 days past invoice?
BBQ
JD
They've always showed me good customer service. Long hold times are
pretty normal but when you get on the phone they are good. I think its
Mike and Nancy. I don't like the shipping or the prices on parts but
when I need get that one part, I order from them..... Just like I did
today. Needed a single part that was $35 and ordered $80 worth of stuff.
MOst of which I normally order from my favorite vendor.
-JD-
Cobra99
Wow tough crowd. I have ordered many parts and DO NOT USE THEM RIGHT
AWAY. That is called having an inventory so when something breaks you
can fix it quickly. <sarcasm>The OP is such a NEWB for not checking
the roll pins on his flippers when he receives a package, this is
pinball 101 <sarcasm> You guys pick everything apart
If someone posted it was a bright day the glare blinded him for a sec
***Spring is here***
People would comment 'You shouldn't go out side it's your fault' or
'what a dumb ass for opening his eyes when he walked outside' or 'I
like the sun never had a problem with it and will continue to use it'
Put the sarcasm so some of you will not take it literally.
One more thing punctuation and spelling police please……STOP
And to stay on topic
I order from other suppliers, since they have better CS and are
cheaper.
Joe Grenuk
> Doubling the shipping rate is gouging. Tripling the actual shipping
> rate is downright criminal.
>
> It's all fun and games until someone's livelihood depends on it..
>
> -Gregg B.
"Gouging"? "CRIMINAL"?
How much time can Marco get sentenced to for such criminal behavior?
Seriously...You build your order. You enter your zip. YOU pick the
shipping option. YOU click "Pay Now". And Marco just gouged, or better
yet, committed a CRIME?
Next time you go to order, if you put in your zip and you can't find a
shipping price you feel isn't a crime perpetrated against you, there
is a little box with an X in it up at the right corner. Click that
one.
Dwozz
> I wonder if I can return this old Hayes Smartmodem 1200?
When I order parts, I usually double, triple even quadruple certain
Items for two reasons:
1. Shipping fees. Helps to place a larger order. Especially things I
know I'm going to need in the future. Bulbs, pop-bumper ring and rod
assemblies, coil sleeves, flipper/slingshot linkage, etc. The usual
wear things.
2. Sometimes specialty parts disappear after a while. Big Shot for Dr
Dude. I ordered 3 when I did. Along with the Mixmaster disc and
stckers. TZ powerballs. etc.
Well, you get the idea.
Are you saying I should go through and test all my ring and rod
assemblies? Bulbs? check every single coil sleeve? install my linkage
and test? upon receiving the order?
(I guess I should..I'm just sayin....)
I think the supplier should stand behind the parts he sells whether he
makes them himself or gets them from another source. At least he
should become aware that HIS supplier may be lacking in QC/QA.
For what it's worth
Dwoz
JDubbbs
and skip the "handling" charge, then all the people who complain about
shipping wont have that bitch to complain about......... They have a
great selection, their website is easy to use and the parts are
shipped the same day if you order in the AM, my last order came in 3
days. When one company dont have the parts i need, i go to the next
company, but when Marco has the majority of it, i eat the shipping
charge and hassle of making an order from the other 3 company's
John
jdubbbs.
apimo...@yahoo.com
them, and so I stopped using them. Plenty of other suppliers.
Rompen
> As some of you may know, we’re in full gear getting Playland at
> Knoebels around for opening weekend, unfortunately if you were coming
> up to play Theater of Magic it won’t be working, you can thank Marco
> for that. I ordered a flipper rebuild kit for it in December when we
> ordered all of our standard yearly parts for the machines and I put
> and no right flipper, not a big deal but a pain since I have to use
> the old part for it. But more importantly, we played two games on it
> and the roll pin fell out of the right side. I looked at the
> assemblys and found the left side was about to fall out also.
>
> I thought that was odd as I’ve never seen a roll pin just fall out
> before. And where it fell I’ll never know, it’s gone. I knew Marco
> was always good about stuff in the past so I called then for a
> replacement and was told since the part was ordered in December
> there’s nothing they can do. I explained how we order all the
> standard parts in December and this wasn’t installed until yesterday
> and it fell apart almost immediately and was told I should have
> installed them in December that way I would have known.
>
> Normally I can only say good things about Marco, and I order a lot
> from them but after this I’m going to be looking elsewhere for my
> parts. The convenience of ordering from them was far outweighed when
> the owner of the place came over to play his newly shopped out game
> and I had to tell him it doesn’t work, the new parts he bought fell
> apart.
>
> So cross your fingers we’ll have enough time to get back to it and put
> the old parts back in but we’re really hustling to get everything
> working for opening day and I don’t know if we will.
>
> Sorry guys,
> Brandon
I've had issues with Marco as well. I ordered rivets, a rivet tool,
and a ramp - and the ramp was out of stock and I specifically told
them on the order to hold the whole order until the ramp came in and
send everything together (because the ramp/flap is what needed to be
riveted). They didn't contact me and instead sent me the rivet, tools
and canceled the order for the ramp saying it was no longer going to
be stocked. I don't know what happened to them. They used to be
much more reliable.
David Gersic
> As some of you may know, we?re in full gear getting Playland at
> Knoebels around for opening weekend, unfortunately if you were coming
> for that. I ordered a flipper rebuild kit for it in December when we
> ordered all of our standard yearly parts for the machines and I put
> them in yesterday. First of all the kit came with two left flippers
> and no right flipper, not a big deal but a pain since I have to use
> the old part for it. But more importantly, we played two games on it
> and the roll pin fell out of the right side. I looked at the
> assemblys and found the left side was about to fall out also.
Dude, it's a roll pin. Head down to your local hardware store, or even
to a local Lowes or Home Depot, and get yourself a few new ones. They're
less than a buck. You don't have to shut an entire game down for a
roll pin.
--
| David Gersic http://www.zaccaria-pinball.com |
| Pessimist: "Can't get any worse..." Optimist: "It can! It can!" |
| Email address is a spam trap. Visit the web site for contact info. |
David Gersic
> I had a high end MM that I went and did a service call on . Were from
> PBL flipper kits. Seen it m,ore than once roll pin falls out . Now on
> new flipper kits i put a little epoxy on both sides of the plunger
> where the roll pin goes tio seal it in place. I wont ever need to
It's a roll pin. It shouldn't ever "fall out". If it's so loose in the
hole that you don't have to remove it with a hammer, either the hole is
to big, or the roll pin is too small. Either way, you need a larger
diameter roll pin.
--
| David Gersic http://www.zaccaria-pinball.com |
| AIRLINE VIRUS: You're in Dallas, but your data is in Singapore. |
John T.
pinball.com> wrote:
I understand how the OP could be upset.
I'm sure he could install A new pin but....
It appears to me that he makes A large seasonal order at the end of
ever year.
So I would classify him as A good regular customer of Marco's.
He calls to complain A few months later about one small part and is
told to pound sand.
This would throw me for A loop as well!!
In this day and age ,it is all about customer service.
Maroc's could have avoided this whole post by just sending out some
small replacement parts.
You know the story....An unhappy customer will tell EVERYBODY....A
happy customer May not mention it at all :):)
-John T.
fordiesel69
as I am certainly guilty of it many times, pick your battles wisely.
Parts for our machines simply are obsolete. We should be happy we can
even get parts at all.
You can thank the dishonest folks for the fact the told you no. Some
people install the part in december, bust out 2000-3000 plays and when
it breaks in april, try to get it replaced and say it was just
installed. Not saying you did, but I can assure you there are people
out there that simply do not care about morals and they destroy it for
those who are honest.
dsybok
"ArcadeUpkeep" <Brandon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fda11db7-a53d-4ada...@k22g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
I thought that was odd as I’ve never seen a roll pin just fall out
before. And where it fell I’ll never know, it’s gone. I knew Marco
was always good about stuff in the past so I called then for a
replacement and was told since the part was ordered in December
there’s nothing they can do. I explained how we order all the
standard parts in December and this wasn’t installed until yesterday
and it fell apart almost immediately and was told I should have
installed them in December that way I would have known.
Sorry guys,
Brandon
I have to agree with Marco, there are not many industries where you can
order spare parts and the warranty starts when you decide it starts. They
have no control over how you stored or cared for the parts in the ensuring 5
months since you bought them. While you may not have been at fault, they
cannot control all customers and how the store parts so as a fundamental
rule, companies never replace parts on an open ended basis just because "I
didnt install it until last week".
It should be encumbent on you to order it when you actually need it, or
indeed, inspect and test the parts when they arrive so that you could have
requested replacements then.
After all, how long is acceptable? 5 months, 5 years? See where that leads a
business?
D
homebrood
Bash Marco-Bash the Marco bashers....do-dah, do-dah
Bash Marco-Bash the Marco bashers....oh-de-do-dah-day!
Gonna play all night, gonna play all day, if anything breaks in this
damn machine, Marco's gonna Pay!
This is getting old real fast!
Tom
pj
> As some of you may know, we’re in full gear getting Playland at
> Knoebels around for opening weekend, unfortunately if you were coming
> for that. I ordered a flipper rebuild kit for it in December when we
> ordered all of our standard yearly parts for the machines and I put
> them in yesterday. First of all the kit came with two left flippers
> and no right flipper, not a big deal but a pain since I have to use
> the old part for it. But more importantly, we played two games on it
> and the roll pin fell out of the right side. I looked at the
> assemblys and found the left side was about to fall out also.
>
> before. And where it fell I’ll never know, it’s gone. I knew Marco
> was always good about stuff in the past so I called then for a
> replacement and was told since the part was ordered in December
> there’s nothing they can do. I explained how we order all the
> standard parts in December and this wasn’t installed until yesterday
> and it fell apart almost immediately and was told I should have
> installed them in December that way I would have known.
>
> from them but after this I’m going to be looking elsewhere for my
> parts. The convenience of ordering from them was far outweighed when
> the owner of the place came over to play his newly shopped out game
> and I had to tell him it doesn’t work, the new parts he bought fell
> apart.
>
> So cross your fingers we’ll have enough time to get back to it and put
> the old parts back in but we’re really hustling to get everything
> working for opening day and I don’t know if we will.
>
> Sorry guys,
> Brandon
Just bought a membrane switch for a Riverboat Gambler a couple weeks
ago from Marco. It arrived damaged, but after an email and picture of
damaged part they sent another. No problem. I think that is good
service. P.J.
Rompen
If you're looking for parts, I would recommend Competitive
Products. http://www.competitiveproducts.com/list.php?id=22
They don't have nearly the inventory of Marcos, but for things like
flipper assemblies, I have not found a place that has better prices.
pins4fun
Marco Specialties don't skimp on cost to help out customers. Nancy
sent me a replacement part OVERNIGHT (no shipping charge to me) when I
told her I had the wrong part. I told her I had the wrong part the day
after I received it, not six months later. IMHO, folks at Marco are
really nice and decent people who deserve better than being maligned
for not acceeding to all of our unorthodox requests. They're doing a
fabulous job providing first class service and underwriting the cost
of carrying a large inventory to to accomodate us. Thanks Marco and
Nancy.
yzfguy
I was playing funhouse three nights ago when Rudy's eyes decided to
crap out. Ordered the replacement part that night, got it today, and
Rudy can once again blink! Crazy fast service. I opened the mailbox
and thought "No way is that the pin stuff already," but there it
was.No complaints here.
PapaJohn
Well, I buy from Marco quite often. I'm using them a lot lately now
that I'm working on my newly aquired Stars. Two days to the west
coast and no problems at all. Suppliers make mistakes and they are
discovered by the users. Good thing we have this site to bring the
problems to light. Marco is a major supplier, be glad they exist.
John
AVP Pinball Division
news:87e72634-61a8-4a4b...@t19g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> It's Business 101 to respond to criticism. If the company won't
> directly remedy the situation, sometimes a public post is the best way
> to shake the tree in my experience.
Yeah it's always good business for the seller to replace parts that are four
months old.
Better go bash Stern again. They only warranty the PCBs and DMD for NIB
games.
--
Pistol Pete
AVP Pinball Division
news:fda11db7-a53d-4ada...@k22g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
> Brandon
If a new-in-box game doesn't come with a warranty on playfield parts what
makes you think an aftermarket supplier is going to address a four month old
order? At the very best you should expect a 30 day warranty. Any order
should be inspected as soon as it arrives otherwise you're taking chances.
Others have posted that this might be a manufacturing issue since more than
one supplier is selling kits with problems. I think if you contacted
MarcoSpec to advise them of a manufacturing problem you would have done much
better.
Pee -><----- wind. 'nuff said.
BTW you can find roll pins at any Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware store.
--
Pistol Pete
AVP Pinball Division
news:1ee8e603-8308-4407...@k5g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
> I bought some bad flipper bats one time (doesn't really matter from
> who but it wasn't Marcos). Plenty of play between the bat and the
> bushing but the bats broke where the shaft mounts to the plastic after
> about 10 plays. I was PISSED that I'd have to rebuild that flipper
> again. Not that much time involved but I had a lot of stuff to work
> on. The vendor in that case immediately provided two replacements.
> Should they have told me to go to hell if it was 30 days past invoice?
Sounds like you installed them in a reasonable amount of time, saw what was
happening with them and immediately contacted the vendor.
If you didn't install them for four months do you think you would have
received the same service?
--
Pistol Pete
puckstop
Never had a problem with Marco. "poor planning on your part does not
constitute an issue on someone else's part"
David Gersic
> I understand how the OP could be upset.
I understand him being upset, yes. But what I don't understand is the
whole "oh, no, a _roll_pin_ is going to take down my whole game, ruin
my week, and cause untold pain and suffering" thing. It's a roll pin.
That's like complaining that the valve cap on your car is missing. Just
go get another one.
And roll pins should be *tight*. If it's falling out, as described,
then somebody screwed up somewhere. Replacing it with the correctly
sized roll pin should take care of that.
> I'm sure he could install A new pin but....
> It appears to me that he makes A large seasonal order at the end of
> ever year.
> So I would classify him as A good regular customer of Marco's.
> He calls to complain A few months later about one small part and is
> told to pound sand.
> This would throw me for A loop as well!!
I wouldn't have even thought to complain about this, personally, but
yeah, I agree, the complaint could have been handled better.
--
| David Gersic http://www.zaccaria-pinball.com |
| Meddle not in the affairs of wizards, for <<poof>>...ribbit. |
kruzman
> Their shipping rates are enough of a deterrent to go elsewhere. Its
> apparently costing them enough business that their CS is suffering
> because of it.
>
> Last order I placed from them they charged me $15 for shipping. The
> package I received was the smallest flat rate box in existence, with
> the parts wedged in as tightly as possible. It included a flipper
> rebuild kit, which the bag it was in was all perforated with loose
> parts rattling around. Who knows if all the stuff is even in there.
> It wasn't even a quality bag. More like those cellophane bags that
> come with products that include 'Made In China' on the box. They
> saved a bundle on packing material, too. There wasn't room in the box
> for them to add any.
>
> Doubling the shipping rate is gouging. Tripling the actual shipping
> rate is downright criminal.
>
> It's all fun and games until someone's livelihood depends on it..
>
> -Gregg B.
Shipping for pinball parts is high in other places also. I had a 12"x
8"x5" box shipped from PBR and it cost $17.85. sucks. must be price of
gas? I ship a pf thru fed ex now for 25 bucks just about anywhere if I
put it in a single cardboard box. I decided to only buy from shows
now. If it breaks, its gonna have to wait!
seeburg220
pinballs for my A13 -- and fast !
kmoore88
ArcadeUpkeep
flipper assembly from Marco. I originally made this post because I
was frustrated and a little offended by the attitude I got when I
called Marco about a replacement. I was told it had been too long and
that was that. A few hours later I attempted to log on to Marcos site
to check how much I had purchased from them, as someone had mentioned
on here and found my account was locked out with a message that I
should call them. I did call them and again talked to Holly, who told
me they saw this post on RGP and because of it they locked my
account. Once again the tone was quite rude.
A few days later I got a call from Nancy asking if I had received my
replacement part, I hadn’t at the time but I have now. She was very
polite and even asked about our opening weekend, which was a success.
She then asked if I would post on here that they sent the replacement
part, which they did, and I am more than happy to do.
Brandon
nixonrules
kmoore88;1687299 Wrote:
> On Apr 28, 8:17*pm, pins4fun <pins4... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
> > On Apr 28, 3:37*pm, Dwozz <Dw... (AT) excite (DOT) com> wrote:
> > really nice and decent people who deserve better than being maligned
> > fabulous job providing first class service and underwriting the cost
> > Nancy.
>
> +1
+2: I recently received an order for full rubber kit that was the wrong
color. I sent an email, and they had the correct kit in the mail the
next day at no charge to me. I agree their shipping charge is high if
you only order one part, so I try to order multiple items and avoid
single items unless it's an emergency.
--
nixonrules
This USENET post sent from http://rgparchive.com
Jesse Wilson
the light orders. I am about to order what equates to $20 in sleeves and
springs and other very light plastic items. Total weight wouldn't even
be over 8oz and I am stuck paying $11 to ship it.
cody chunn
-cody
"Jesse Wilson" wrote in message news:j58j0k$g85$1...@dont-email.me...
Slate
I have ordered thousands from them.
My only wish is they would have better shipping. I too paid $15 for a
small box shipped normal mail. I at least expected Priority that why I
ordered it to get it in 3 days. Instead it took over a week. Plus some
of thier prices are quite high.
Other than they they are great.
While I am at it I wish coin taker would lower his prices. I stopped
buying from him. At 1.19 per led it adds up. Found another place for
under .70.
He has great stuff but pricey.
Good prices and cheap shipping (realistic shipping) will get the
masses and get you out of the specialized market.
seymour.shabow
pinball parts now? (because of cheap shipping??)
I gotta laugh every time someone posts that marco has high shipping.
ALL the pinball supply shops have high shipping - maybe it's not high.
Maybe that's actually what shipping costs when you add in buying packing
materials etc. - last time I checked you couldn't get free priority mail
bubble wrap from the post office.....
Jesse Wilson
shipment.... Terry at PBL has fair shipping prices and his unit prices
are lower then Macro AND he manages to stay in business. Go figure.
$11 as the cheapest shipping option is a little excessive imo. Build the
shipping costs into your unit pricing(which is why I figured their
prices were higher than other places) and charge a realistic shipping
amount so people don't feel taken for a ride on the back end.
Just my 2 cents.
seymour.shabow
>
> No you're right that bubble wrap costs $12 on top of his $3 first class
> shipment.... Terry at PBL has fair shipping prices and his unit prices
> are lower then Macro AND he manages to stay in business. Go figure.
>
> $11 as the cheapest shipping option is a little excessive imo. Build the
> shipping costs into your unit pricing(which is why I figured their
> prices were higher than other places) and charge a realistic shipping
> amount so people don't feel taken for a ride on the back end.
ends up being the only place to get whatever part you think you need for
your machine, do without. Pretty simple, really. If his business drops
off enough, he'll either change or go out of business, or sit around
wondering why he doesn't have more business.
Seriously, though, all the suppliers have their little "quirks" when it
comes to how they do things. I've abandoned carts and orders on all the
major sites at various points because it just wasn't worth what I was
ordering to complete it. Terry used to lose my large orders because his
shopping cart system timed out after 30 minutes-1 hour, emptying the
cart. He's since fixed that.
Jesse Wilson
> Jesse Wilson wrote:
>>
>> No you're right that bubble wrap costs $12 on top of his $3 first
>> class shipment.... Terry at PBL has fair shipping prices and his unit
>> prices are lower then Macro AND he manages to stay in business. Go
>> figure.
>>
>
> Sure, he carries maybe 5% of what Marco does though.
lowest pricing on what I have bought in the past, realistic shipping
costs, A+ customer service with prompt responses and even accommodates
the occasional special requests when he can.
>
>> $11 as the cheapest shipping option is a little excessive imo. Build
>> the shipping costs into your unit pricing(which is why I figured their
>> prices were higher than other places) and charge a realistic shipping
>> amount so people don't feel taken for a ride on the back end.
>
> Don't buy from marco, ever, then. Vote with your dollars. If marco ends
> up being the only place to get whatever part you think you need for your
> machine, do without. Pretty simple, really. If his business drops off
> enough, he'll either change or go out of business, or sit around
> wondering why he doesn't have more business.
obviously that's where I am going to get it. If their shipping was more
reasonable then they would not be my last resort when I need something.
>
> Seriously, though, all the suppliers have their little "quirks" when it
> comes to how they do things. I've abandoned carts and orders on all the
> major sites at various points because it just wasn't worth what I was
> ordering to complete it. Terry used to lose my large orders because his
> shopping cart system timed out after 30 minutes-1 hour, emptying the
> cart. He's since fixed that.
realization that they might be better off in the long run changing the
way they do things on their own. I'm not a fat Linda, I do not feel the
need to boycott someone just because their shipping is high or they
might do something else that is different from the way that I would do
it. I never insinuated that it was the end of the world or a crisis of
epic proportion, just an observation regarding their shipping
policies/pricing in response to other comments about Macro. If I ran a
business I wouldn't want people getting the impression that I was
profiting off of the shipping charges.
It's probably better for some of the smaller sites that they don't
change their practices anyway. It's price that lead me to terry's site
and it's his customer service and continued competitive pricing that
keeps me there.
Anyway, thanks goes out to Micro as well for supplying the essential
parts that keep this hobby humming along!
jarbyjibbo
--
jarbyjibbo
Jesse Wilson
LoL Macro even! All that TZ playfield talk has Micro on my brain....
shardian
Every pinball parts supplier has been attentive to any issue I have had.
I've only had two semi-difficult issues, and both were with marco. On
one, I order a healthy supply of fuse clips for Data East pins. The
picture on Marco's website was wrong, so I got the wrong clips. I talked
to CS, and they said tough luck. I at least asked them to fix the
picture so no one else would make the mistake and they said they would.
They never did last I checked...
The other issue was the common one here. I ordered a coil, some random
pf parts, some lamps, a ring kit, and a Slugfest Control panel overlay.
Paid about $15 shipping, and they CRAMMED it all into the smallest flat
rate box. I was astounded! The coil was pressed up against the overlay
and gouged it badly. I was quite irritated that they packed so
carelessly just to save a few dollars when I quite clearly paid for
quality shipping. I have no problem paying $15 for shipping, but I do
expect at least the packaging to be prepped properly. I contact CS, they
asked for a picture. I sent a picture and they promptly sent me a new
CPO and obliged me in sending it properly in a cardboard cylinder
shipper - all at their cost.
Side note, the CPO is junk quality and the lamination separates badly
from the printed overlay. That's a quality issue with the product (not
marco) and it seems quite a common one. I've lived with it because I
don't want to go through the effort again.
So yes Marco made good on that issue with me, but I still hesitate from
using them because the practice of cramming into that small package
really bugged me when I paid a premium even for the proper packaging. I
don't know why any vendor would do that. :confused: It just costs them
money in damages!
--
shardian
wbradley
Marco seems more expensive than others to Canada. However they do carry
a wide selection of parts. I don't think people should overplay things
here. Buy from whomever you want.
I just don't like paying a markup on shipping.
All the vendors have their strengths and weaknesses.
--
wbradley
Slate
> seymour.shabow wrote:
> > Jesse Wilson wrote:
>
> >> No you're right that bubble wrap costs $12 on top of his $3 first
> >> class shipment.... Terry at PBL has fair shipping prices and his unit
> >> prices are lower then Macro AND he manages to stay in business. Go
> >> figure.
>
> Regardless, as long as he has what I need I buy it from him. He has the
> lowest pricing on what I have bought in the past, realistic shipping
> costs, A+ customer service with prompt responses and even accommodates
> the occasional special requests when he can.
>
>
>
> >> $11 as the cheapest shipping option is a little excessive imo. Build
> >> the shipping costs into your unit pricing(which is why I figured their
> >> prices were higher than other places) and charge a realistic shipping
> >> amount so people don't feel taken for a ride on the back end.
>
High prices are one thing, its understandable and somewhat accepted
for places like Marco that offer a huge selection of parts. I can live
with that and will order select parts from them.
But shipping is clear cut. When you ordered a bag of screws and the
shipping is $17 and not even for priority mail, something needs to be
changed.
Ebay sellers used to pull that shit where the price was much lower
than everyone else and then the shipping was $50 to make up for it.
Good thing Ebay got wise and posted the rates in clear site.
Bottom line wheater you agree with shipping or think bubble wrap is
expensive, the universe will sort itself out and people will shop
elsewhere not matter how petty the reason is.
I am also one of those who have shifted most of my purchases to Terry.
I do have to add I also buy a lot from Mike. Good thing is those 2 are
not in direct competition as they seem to have very little overlap in
the inventory. Mike has a ll the hard to find plastics, ramps, etc
(plus he is fair with shipping) and Terry has all the other stuff Mike
does not and visa versa.
Between the 2 of them that 99% of my business. I must have spent 9k
plus this year alone in parts.
Frank Furhter
competition, little market, and little volume to justify paying for
'free shipping and materials' with massive margins due to scale of
business. In the end, live with it or live next door to the suppliers.
--
The Frankster, a playfield prankster
Once upon my crank her ballpark shrank.
http://PinWiki.org, Prep-H for pinballers.