Putting together a pinball parts order sucks.

shardian

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Video games are simple. You can look at a vid, and in 5 minutes know exactly what you need.

Pinballs...not so much. First off, you usually can't be sure of everything you will need until you tear the game down. I'd prefer to order parts ahead of time. Next, there are multiple parts suppliers, but it is almost a guarantee that not one of them will have ALL the parts you need in one clean order. Even if they do, another place will probably have a few of the parts cheap enough to justify splitting the order between 2 or more suppliers.
This fact forces you to basically create an order at all of the suppliers, and then pick/choose from whom to get what. It's enough to make my head assplode. Even after all of this, it is almost a 100% guarantee that I will end up forgetting, or later needing a $2 part.

Aren't pinballs grand!
 
And you'll always forget to include something or notice two more needed items the next night. The only way I have ever found to get around this is just to order 2x as much of each item as I need. That way the next time I need one I probably have it on hand.
 
I also just learned that pinballlife doesn't save your cart with your username. Boy does that suck. Hopefully it lasts in my queue on the home pc...
 
Been there and done that. For every shop job I think I end up with 3 rounds of parts orders, no matter how hard I try. You just can't order everything needed for a shop job ahead of time because you can't discover everything until the game is stripped. You might get luckier since that POTC is newer, you probably won't find as many surprises.

It does blow...

All this pinball talk though is making me really want a pin again!!!

Wade
 
I feel your pain x10.

I'm at the point now where I have a pretty good stock on hand but there's always something I seem to need to order for every restoration.

I haven't really worked on any pins this summer but winter is coming. Time to start putting in orders!

I love restoring pinball machines and dealing with parts is just part of it. It doesn't really even bother me any more. I just put the restoration on hold and wait for what I need. I'm not in a rush these days. The only part that does bother me is when I'm overcharged for shipping. Which actually happens a lot.
 
I also just learned that pinballlife doesn't save your cart with your username. Boy does that suck. Hopefully it lasts in my queue on the home pc...

I shut my home computer off last night...cart is empty...I'm pissed.
I hate you pinballlife!!!!! I hate you with a passion!!
 
It's not possible to hate Pinball Life.

I've never had it delete my cart contents before, so that's an odd one. I guess anything can go screwy online though.
 
It's not possible to hate Pinball Life.

I've never had it delete my cart contents before, so that's an odd one. I guess anything can go screwy online though.

I emailed terry about it. Apparently the fact that I already had the cart filled before I created my account meant that it would not save.
 
Get a notepad, make a list of stuff, and do it over a few days time....

I just placed an order with Marco for 4 of my pins at just under $400 total.

Alot of little things add up fast.

-Mike
 
They have a few parts that no one else has. Other than that, I don't use them. Why? Here's a prime example.

Coil link/plunger
Marco: $10.75
Bayarea: $7
Pinballlife: $3.75

Yep, Marco has some high prices, I don't buy from them unless it's my only option.
 
You see if you'd collect Gottlieb machines, you could buy ALL your parts from Pinball Resource.
I buy most parts there also. Always a good experience. I also like marco for certain things and they ship quick usually at my door in two days.
Glennon
 
Anyways, put in all of my orders today. I had to order parts from pinballlife, bayarea, and Marco. Believe it or not, there were a few things at Marco cheaper than Bayarea. I changed my drop target decals and POTC rubber kit over to them, to go with the VUK switch I think I need.

All in all, I am out $130 for everything I need to fully shop out LW3 and POTC.

Sidebar: I have noticed a hole below the flippers on both games. I assume this is for a rebound post? Why is the hole there, but never in use. I don't think it is even mentioned in the manuals. Anyways, I ordered 2 mini posts/rubbers to put on both games. I always like having the chance to save a down the middle shot.
 
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