Machines on site

monty_a900

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Hello All,

I've been offered the "oppertunity" to place 2 machines in a local (downtown) Laundromat - don't know anything about the place, never seen it. I'm a collector and have no experience doing this type of this. I can fix most basic problems, so feel confident I could keep them running.

I was thinking that a couple of JAMMA 60-1 cabs with at 25cents a go. Lock bar etc ... Nothing too pretty, I expect they get abused. the owner has offered a 50-50 split.

I work full time, so have no idea how much maintanence would be required on these, or how much I would expect to make.

Would welcome any advice; some thoughts

- What type of machine would generate the most cash - Multi game/ racing/ "newer" type cab
- Would I keep hold of the key? How would the pacticalities of sharing the takings work
- I presume I'd have to decare the income on this.
- What are the general problems I'd expect to see? I assume I'd need two working coin mechs in just one bust/ got jammed
- How liked is it that these are just going to get trashed? I know the location isn't exactly the best part of town ;-)

I'm not really thinking about doing this to earn lots of cash, I'm sure that's not going to happen. I would be interested if my costs would be covered with a bit left over.

Bottom line, is this going to be more trouble than it's worth?
 
- What type of machine would generate the most cash - Multi game/ racing/ "newer" type cab
Sit down drivers are what I usually see these days in laundromats. Games like Ms. Pac-Man come in second. I would personally be wary of putting a multicade on location. Would probably generate the most money, but they are pretty much illegal. Your not likely to get in any trouble, but why chance it?
- Would I keep hold of the key? How would the pacticalities of sharing the takings work
Its your game. Unless you are selling it to the laundromat, yes, keep a key for yourself. I wouldnt even give the laundromat a key, and probably wouldnt offer to share any profit made (which wont be much anyway) unless they are leasing the machine from you.
- I presume I'd have to decare the income on this.
You'd have to check county (or city) and state laws on this. Some states require permits and/or licenses on coin-op machines generating a revenue. As far as income tax is concerned, I think youll have to declare it as income unless you make less than a certain amount of profit per year (I believe $600 and under).
- What are the general problems I'd expect to see? I assume I'd need two working coin mechs in just one bust/ got jammed
If your going to do this, I would replace all your mechs with new ones anyway, they arent that expensive.
- How liked is it that these are just going to get trashed? I know the location isn't exactly the best part of town ;-)
A laundromat without supervision on site (and probably without security cameras), you can figure that one out. I'd put in an already beat up game (if possible) and just bullet-proof as much as I could. Unless management is always on-site during business hours, I would put a lockout bar on the cashbox. Cam locks alone wont keep the thugs away.
I'm not really thinking about doing this to earn lots of cash, I'm sure that's not going to happen. I would be interested if my costs would be covered with a bit left over.
Bottom line, is this going to be more trouble than it's worth?
Probably, but if you want to try it with some beat up games and youve made the required steps to be legal about it, then go for it. Ask the Laundromat if you can try it out on a trial basis. If you draw up a contract, make sure you protect yourself (I would want the option to remove my games and/or terminate the contract at my discretion).
 
Be careful using a 60in1 game being they are not legal and you could be fined for not owning the licenses of the games on the board. An "original" PCB and not bootleg is considered a licensed game and suitable for vending.
 
Be careful using a 60in1 game being they are not legal and you could be fined for not owning the licenses of the games on the board. An "original" PCB and not bootleg is considered a licensed game and suitable for vending.


I ran bootleg shit for years. There's no coin-op police on the street beat.
Your biggest concern will be ensuring you machines can take a beating and are secured well.

Another primary focus: coin chutes.
Your games are boat anchors if they won't coin up reliably.
Test at least fifty coins.
Also, be sure your pricing is appropriate.
One coin per play might have been right for 1983.
Average playtime per credit should be 2-3min.
Running a multi-game machine means you have to pay attention to
settings on SIXTY different game variations, if you want to be a
successful operator.
 
Yep-

Don't worry about a multi-game not being licensed- nobody cares except nerdy game collectors. They won't be the ones putting coins in them either.

Don't give a key to anyone. They're your machines. The owner probably doesn't even care about being there when you collect/count the coins. Just be honest and get your crap out of there if you're accused of being dishonest.

Report income and register for tax stickers/licenses as you see fit. Some games won't pull enough quarters in to justify a license.

Don't put anything in there you're not willing to ultimately part with. If it's out of your possession, you don't know what may happen to it.

Leave your number on the game if you want to get calls about selling it or others. Many people will call that can't really afford a game though.

K
 
Forget the 60 in 1 games. Yes, they are nice, and yes, they are illegal. You want to make the most tender from a couple games, Put in the following. 1 Galaga, and 1 Ms. Pac Man. Both should be original and not a single reunion edition. Later, you can swap one out for a Centipede, or a Donkey Kong. From what I have heard, you can expect to get about 30/month out of both Galaga and Ms. Pac. As for the others, I couldn't say. A nice shooter like Raiden might also, net a decent amount. As for the repairs, the only thing you really need to do is play a game and make sure that all the controls work when you pick up your money. That would make you a better operator than most who have games on location.
 
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