Chicago Pinball Expo Feedback

mrbill08

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I attended the show on Thursday. Thank you to the organizers - I know there is a lot of work that goes into planning and running this expo.

Positives:
The quality and playability of the pins was markedly better than last year
Vendor booths and the variety of parts available
WOZ machines
Larger Stern booth with more current machines to play.

Negative (and a large one):
Many machines were being wrapped up and taken away as they were sold.
This was the same gripe I had as last year. If someone brought a game for free or reduced admission and sold it, shouldn't it at least be available for play until midnight that day? It seems very unfair to me. I paid $20 admission and the premise that "well over 100 machines" to play certainly seemed untrue on Thursday.

Bill
 
i talked to someone from Chicago who was playing a pin Fri, and a guy walked up, reached under it, and turned it off WHILE he was playing it, and said "This is sold, game over." and started breaking it down. I was there on Saturday, and lots of empty spaces where pins used to sit.
 
i talked to someone from Chicago who was playing a pin Fri, and a guy walked up, reached under it, and turned it off WHILE he was playing it, and said "This is sold, game over." and started breaking it down. I was there on Saturday, and lots of empty spaces where pins used to sit.

It's good you got to play some quality 'A' title games on Friday night.
 
Absolutely!! Brian was kind enough to have the wife and I over to his place with Seawolf, and let us view/play his incredible collection. By far the nicest pin collection i've ever seen. Thanks for having us over, i look forward to being able to visit again! The only downside is i now want a medieval madness that i will never be able to afford!!
 
I went to the show on Thursday only. Only went to the free-play area and vendor area.

I thought the game selection (variety) was not as deep this year as last year. The games for sale price wise seemed on the high side, with less "deals" to be had. I saw an average looking AFM listed at $10,XXX.

Also, there seemed to be fewer games overall to play with a lot not turned on.

I thought the crowd seemed to be down from last year on Thursday playing pinball. But I spoke with others that thought the opposite. I had no problem playing whatever I wanted. Maybe waiting a game or so at most.

The WOZ machine was cool to see in person. I would like to buy one for sure. The Xmen machine did not give me warm fuzzys, although the ACDC sure did.

Not as many "show" deals as I would have liked. Rottendog had the Best SHow Deals. Pinball life had fantastic show deals a their open house.... But I went to their open house to get them ( it was on the way home, so no worries)

Will I go again? Not sure. I dont really get into seminars. Or at least none interested me. I like playing the pins and meeting new people. And usually I can only get away for one day, so I cant do the whole experience.

For Chicago, I expected more. But I guess if You dig the stern factory tour and the seminars etc, well you are happy.
 
I'd like to make it out to this one year. If you want to play, consider going to PAPA in Pittsburg. I don't think much selling goes on but the machines stay up and the're in good condition.
 
Negative (and a large one):
Many machines were being wrapped up and taken away as they were sold.
This was the same gripe I had as last year. If someone brought a game for free or reduced admission and sold it, shouldn't it at least be available for play until midnight that day? It seems very unfair to me. I paid $20 admission and the premise that "well over 100 machines" to play certainly seemed untrue on Thursday.

Bill

The organizers know this is a problem. They used to be sticklers about games having to stay for the whole show. They also realize with the rising values of many of the games. What if an expensive game sells and then during the rest of the show something rare breaks on it or it gets damaged ?

Not an easy solution.

LTG :)
 
The organizers know this is a problem. They used to be sticklers about games having to stay for the whole show. They also realize with the rising values of many of the games. What if an expensive game sells and then during the rest of the show something rare breaks on it or it gets damaged ?

Not an easy solution.

LTG :)

Not the entire show but until midnight the day of the sale? Hey if it was not for having it at the show, they would not have sold it. If the buyer and seller know this is the expectation, then there should be no issue.

Alternatively, have a seller's section (charge a fee) and a separate free play section. You can have a game in the free play section for sale but the understanding is that it stays for the duration of the show. If it's in the seller's section, it can be enjoyed until someone buys it. I'd be ok with this scenario.

Maybe I am spoiled by CAX. Vids and pins were for sale but nothing left until the end of the show. And there truly were "well over 100 pins" to enjoy.
 
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