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Akron show Pics

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dimperio

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Mar 5, 2005, 6:02:32 PM3/5/05
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I just got back from the Akron pinball and game room show. It was the
closest a show has been to Erie PA, so it was a no brainer for me to
attend.

The majority of the machines on free play were pinball machines, which
was good. There was a big enough crowd on hand that most of the machies
had someone at them most of the time. There were the usual part
suppliers there as well. I was able to find the parts I needed for my
machines without any problems.

The auction was pretty weak. There were probably less than 8 pinball
machines for auction. I don't beleive there was even one DMD game on
the auction block. Quit a few of the games came from the other side of
the hall that were set for free play but they must not of got any
offers on them. I would say that there were probably less than 30 games
for auction all together.

Overall I would say the event was a success and well worth going to if
you live close and enjoy being around the hobby. Job well done for
those involved in setting up the event.

I took a couple pictures while I was in there. The pictures aren't of
anything in particular. The last picture is of the people around the
machines being auctioned.


http://www.galaxian.com/dimperio/akron1.jpg
http://www.galaxian.com/dimperio/akron2.jpg
http://www.galaxian.com/dimperio/akron3.jpg
http://www.galaxian.com/dimperio/akron4.jpg
http://www.galaxian.com/dimperio/akron5.jpg

Does anyone know what pinball machine was the main door prize. I may
have stuck around to the end depending on game title.

turbo

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Mar 5, 2005, 7:16:32 PM3/5/05
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Mike here; I just got back from the Akron pinball show, and I have to
say that I was very dissappointed. It was very small, and they did not
have anywhere near the number of machines set up that they advertised.
Besides that they had very few of the popular titles, and most of the
games were in poor shape. By the end of the first day close to half of
the games in the main room were broken, and turned off. Most of the
games that I played had serious function problems that greatly affected
play. Most of the games I would play a couple of balls, and just walk
away disgusted. M + P amusements had about 12 - 15 games in the other
room, and there repair guy was working on them virtually non stop.
Sometimes there were 4 different machines broken at once. The sales
people trying to sell the games were like vultures, and would pounce on
anyone playing their games, and immediately start shoveling the crap.
They obviously assumed that the people at the show were brain dead
idiots who know nothing about pinball, and were easy pickings. There
was a Twilight Zone in the main room that was the worst 1 that I have
seen in a long time. Cabinet was absolutely trashed, playfield had
massive wear, coin door was trashed, lock down bar was junk, translight
had a huge scratch, ball diverter was completely broken, legs were
junk, and the list goes on, and on. The game partially worked for a
couple of hours, and then broke, and then they removed the balls, and
turned it off. They wanted 2600.00 for the game! The vendors were very
nice, and helpful as usual, but there were only a couple. My basic
overall opinion of the show was that it was put together by some local
vendors to unload some junk games on an unsuspecting, and hopefully
ignorant public. Just my opinion, but I will not go back. Mike.

Back...@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 5, 2005, 7:33:33 PM3/5/05
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Well this was my first show, so I had no prior expectations. I thought
it was OK though. I got to play games I had never seen in person and
will probably never own (Cactus Canyon, MM, etc) and my kid was so
hyped it was hard to get him to even complete a game before moving on
to the next pin! It was great to be able to browse for parts, and pick
up trinkets, etc. I was surprised at the prices posted on many of the
machines...I thought they were some very good deals. Of course I am
used to eBay prices so my view of pricing reality is skewed.

My only gripe was that in the main room the pins were too close
together so people couldnt walk through the aisle without bumping your
ass while you were playing a game. They need to work on the layout.

I will go back next year.

Barry - NY

msalas

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Mar 5, 2005, 7:36:27 PM3/5/05
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I must of went to a different show :) I thought the show was very good
and I will go back. I never got the "vultures" trying to sell me
machines either day. So yeah, if that would have happened to you that
would have been annoying. I picked up some parts from Mayfair and
Classic Amusements. I played the TZ. It wasn't in the greatest shape.
You are correct about that Turbo. However, I didn't notice most of the
stuff (backglass, coin door etc) because I was not at the show to buy a
pin. I was there to 1) play pins, 2) get parts, and 3) talk to other
pinheads. Any one of the three would have been fine with me. I also
drove in from Cleveland so it wasn't a long drive.

.... And I got to play a lot of Cactus Canyon which I found fun. Not
worth the 7K but how often do you get to play a late model Williams
machines whose production numbers were less or at one thousand. It
certainly isn't on location anywhere I know of.

Back...@gmail.com

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Mar 5, 2005, 7:47:20 PM3/5/05
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>>MM<<

Whoops...I meant TOTAN.

Mac

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Mar 5, 2005, 8:03:22 PM3/5/05
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Hey Turbo, What sweet a$$ pin did you bring to the show to help make it
a better show? You can bet that Im not going to bring my "HUO, or
MINT" piece to any show for the general public to put their sweaty,
funnel-caked greasy paws all over and beat the crap out of. They had a
great showing of pins there in Akron, and hmmm, Where was the TZ on
Sat? Hmm, Must of sold cause it wasnt there.
Mac

abc123...@iquest.net

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Mar 5, 2005, 8:08:50 PM3/5/05
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Thanks for sharing the photos!

Jeff

http://members.iquest.net/~abc123/

Remove the "nospam" from my e-mail address to send me a message.

Old Key West

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Mar 5, 2005, 8:22:23 PM3/5/05
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This also was my first show and I enjoyed it enough to go both days.
Nice FH there on Saturday. I had no "vultures" either and I pretty
much played every machine there.

By the way, the Winking Lizard had a CC on location in Macedonia. I
about fainted when I walked it there. I kept going on to my family how
rare that was and I just got that glassy stare back. Unfortunately it
wasn't there long and was replaced by a LOTR.

Jim

msalas

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Mar 5, 2005, 9:14:26 PM3/5/05
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Anybody stay till the end? I am curious to which machine was raffled
off!!!!

Dave Jones

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Mar 5, 2005, 9:12:20 PM3/5/05
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As another first timer at a show I have to throw my vote in with those
that had a great time. Many thanks to the people who put this together
and a special thanks to all of those who brought games!

Old Key West

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Mar 5, 2005, 10:15:48 PM3/5/05
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It was the Showtime EM on the end of the first row, across from
Mayfair. Actually, a pretty fun game with a dolphin theme. They
picked about 6 numbers until someone won. It turned out to be the
family of the guy that brought the JP.

Jim

Kyle Wren

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Mar 5, 2005, 10:01:36 PM3/5/05
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In article <1110063752....@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, dimperio
says...

I just returned today from the show as well. Kudos to Mike and company for
putting on such an excellent effort for a first time show. For anyone that is
dogging it, let me say I've seen pictures of other first time shows (to keep
this post positive I won't name names), and this show was easily 4 times the
show of that one.

Yea, the auction was lame. Even the auction company was able to admit that.
Auction companies are kind of like weathermen, they can post predictions but in
the end what shows up (or falls from the sky) is out of their control. At least
they didn't drag it out for an hour. In 2 weeks there will be a real auction in
Columbus, and today you could have driven down to Knoxville if all you were
looking for was an auction. I considered that but decided I wanted to support
the show instead, and as a result Rick Swanson probably bought my machine in
Knoxville. :-)

I will be back next year for sure.


--
Kyle Wren
"Worst... Ball... EVER!!"

pinpal Steve

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Mar 5, 2005, 10:23:41 PM3/5/05
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Wow....not sure what show you attended but the one I attended
'ROCKED'...Great job Marvin on putting together such an awesome
event.....pinball hobbiests from everywhere attended and from the
conversations I took part in, everyone was IMPRESSED. A all around
great time and I'm sure next year will be even better. No one should
knock any event like this unless you think you can do better.....and in
that case....go for it! Pinball is a fun hobby and it is only
admirable to applaud Marvin for his hard work in putting this awesome
event together.

Eric A.

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Mar 5, 2005, 11:32:31 PM3/5/05
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On 5 Mar 2005 16:16:32 -0800, "turbo" <h...@comcast.net> wrote:

>Mike here; I just got back from the Akron pinball show, and I have to
>say that I was very dissappointed. It was very small, and they did not
>have anywhere near the number of machines set up that they advertised.

What show did you attend and how many pins were advertised and
where???? I counted close to 70 pins on the main room side alone that
doesn't include the corner of pins in the second room for sale or the
row of DMD pins in the second room.

>Besides that they had very few of the popular titles, and most of the
>games were in poor shape.

Yeah the taxi, pinbot, getaway SWE1, RFM, Shadow, JM,Breakshot,
Gorgar, Jungle Lord, SPP, Comets, older EMs, etc. all sucked,
RIGHT???? How bout you get a few pins shop them to the gills like some
of us do and then set them on Free Play for all to play and hope to
make a couple bucks and if not haul them back home just to stick them
on EPAY. Which is where shitty comments like your's make the ones like
myself feel this is what we should have done in the first place!

>By the end of the first day close to half of
>the games in the main room were broken, and turned off.

They were shut off because it was time to go or they were sold! What
kind of crap are you trying to stir up here? I really don't get it!

>Most of the
>games that I played had serious function problems that greatly affected
>play. Most of the games I would play a couple of balls, and just walk
>away disgusted. M + P amusements had about 12 - 15 games in the other
>room, and there repair guy was working on them virtually non stop.

So he should have left them broken? Many of the problems related to
resets due to voltage drop on the system in the building. All of the
extension cords plugged into the same outlets did nothing for the DMD
games so they shut a few off so the rest could play!

>Sometimes there were 4 different machines broken at once. The sales
>people trying to sell the games were like vultures, and would pounce on
>anyone playing their games, and immediately start shoveling the crap.

I'll tell you what here is a little clue for you....If you feel like
you're being pressured...now here is the tricky part...tell the person
"no thank you or just checking it out...thanks anyways." I know that
might be a bit tough but hey it can't hurt can it???

>They obviously assumed that the people at the show were brain dead
>idiots who know nothing about pinball, and were easy pickings.

Maybe not all but I sure can think of one that I fell was right about
now!

>There
>was a Twilight Zone in the main room that was the worst 1 that I have
>seen in a long time. Cabinet was absolutely trashed, playfield had
>massive wear, coin door was trashed, lock down bar was junk, translight
>had a huge scratch, ball diverter was completely broken, legs were
>junk, and the list goes on, and on. The game partially worked for a
>couple of hours, and then broke, and then they removed the balls, and
>turned it off. They wanted 2600.00 for the game!

There is a thing called haggling that goes on at these shows....You
need to check into it. If you think ANY of these games went for their
asking price your sadly mistaken!

>The vendors were very
>nice, and helpful as usual, but there were only a couple.

Couple?!?!?!? There was 1 booth that had 3 separate business sharing!
Marco, Mayfair, the t-shirt guy, the repair guy at the far end, the
game room guy with the slots and game tables, Classic Arcades, Pacak's
booth, and then the 3 business sharing the one booth. Yeah, that's a
couple....


>My basic
>overall opinion of the show was that it was put together by some local
>vendors to unload some junk games on an unsuspecting, and hopefully
>ignorant public. Just my opinion, but I will not go back. Mike.

This is the best news I read from your post. This was the first year
this thing was held. I think Mike and everyone else that came out did
a grrrreat job! I can't wait until next year!

--
Eric A.
eavedesi...@comcast.net
313-268-0541

Mr. Propane Torch!!

ELV!S,TZ,Cy(l*ne,GOR,FH,STTNG,RFM,BH,HS,HS2,B@by-P@c M@n,St&Sp,Strgte,BK
Remove NO_SPAM_ to reply

videoga...@yahoo.com

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Mar 5, 2005, 11:43:48 PM3/5/05
to

I just returned also and the show was great. Eric, that is an awsome
looking Jungle Lord. You did a grreat job on that and the Gorgar, well
it was also VERY nice. Vendors were very helpful and prices from them
were good also. Great Job marvin. I will be back next year.

Mike

Josh

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Mar 6, 2005, 1:21:40 AM3/6/05
to
Thanks for the pics. Looks like a pretty decent show. If it's like other
shows around, they take a few years to build up. It doesn't happen
overnight. It's nice to see another show started. Always a good sign.

Josh
http://www.pingeek.com

"dimperio" <tdim...@northwesternrec.com> wrote in message
news:1110063752....@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

mrcrazy

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Mar 6, 2005, 2:03:45 AM3/6/05
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I couldnt of said it better, guys. I brought 14 pins:
kiss, fireball classic, fireball II, JM, Black Hole, Fish Tales, SWE1,
Dr Who, Judge Dredd, 8 Ball, Taxi, Pinbot, Whirlwind, & a flash. I
also got a table with some guys & couldnt of been happier. Not only
did I sell some games & parts to local pinheads, more importantly I
got to bs with alot of cool guys into the same shit as me that I
probably never would have met. I had more fun playing games with guys
& looking at everyone elses stuff that the other guys in the booth
were getting kinda pissed at me cause I wasnt at the booth!!!!! I
thought it was a fantastic show, lots of great machines & I think
Marvin did a GREAT JOB & will be there with another truckload next
year FOR SURE!! The auction was a dud I will grant you that, but hey,
its the first year this was put on & with minimal advertisement.

Now im tired & I wanna go to bed, you guys know the drill: load
truck-unload at loaction-stand & haul all day-tear down-load
truck-drive home-unload truck-drive to rental place-drop off
truck-drop off buddy-drive home..............................

nighty night,

Greg

Ken

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Mar 6, 2005, 9:26:54 AM3/6/05
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I thought it was a good first time auction. The place was a little small
for the amount of machines set up, but hey no problem, it felt like I was
at my old neighborhood arcade...I thinks that's what Mike was going for...a
little nostalgia maybe. I took my daughter with me and she was so
impressed, even though I had to carry her around because she thought it was
a little noisy, but she enjoyed it. I'd like to see the show come to the
Cleveland area, maybe alternate cities. I know a great place that would be
a great location to have a show. I can't wait for the next shows...

SilverUnicorn

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Mar 6, 2005, 8:58:13 PM3/6/05
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I'm happy for all those who had fun at the show. Others say not so, but
here's one thing:

Perhaps people (the operator of the show) will see what a challenge it is to
run a show.

Every year, I hear a certain someone bash this and that about another show.
Perhaps all the bickering about this was bad and that was bad can come to an
end. Not everything will be 100% perfect with any show.

Thank you Mike, for beginning another Pinball show. We need more shows to
keep the hobby alive. I respect you for getting into the pinball show
business, and wish you continued success in all your future shows to come!


Chris


"dimperio" <tdim...@northwesternrec.com> wrote in message
news:1110063752....@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

JHo...@msn.com

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Mar 6, 2005, 9:53:19 PM3/6/05
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Had an excellent time at the show. I was only there for about 3 hours
on Saturday, but the trip from Toledo was worth it. Got to play an
excellent CC, FH, TOTAN...a nice Fireball Classic, the Getaway I plated
was pretty lame, the Kiss machine was fun, played a Black Hole I'd
never seen before...all in all a good selection of pins and a great
time. Picked up some decals from Jeff at Classic Arcades (nice guy,
great decals), lots of parts from Mayfair...thanks to all for putting
this on and the great turnout of vendors and machines.

John

Pkn...@gmail.com

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Mar 7, 2005, 6:49:53 PM3/7/05
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> M + P amusements had about 12 - 15 games in the other
> room, and there repair guy was working on them virtually non stop.
> Sometimes there were 4 different machines broken at once. The sales
> people trying to sell the games were like vultures, and would pounce
on
> anyone playing their games, and immediately start shoveling the crap.

The tech had one hell of a time working on the m + p games. They had
dasy chained two pronged electrical cords togeather to hook up the
pins so there was not a good ground. I was shocked by the popeye pin.
(I'm Sueing! JP). Got the machines home and opened them up. I was happy
with my buy. I do admit the guy was pressuring on the sales end.

~Duke

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