Random Price comparison - PBL vs. Marco vs. BAA

Frax

New member
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
2,718
Reaction score
11
Location
Dallas, Texas
Parts being ordered - shipping is to dallas, TX.

6 Fiber pop bumper yokes
6 metal pop bumper yokes
3 555 pop bumper sockets, solid metal tinned leads
3 universal pop bumper caps, 1 red, 1 white, 1 blue

I've separated out the parts, shipping, and expected ship times from the cheapest shipping option available just to see how it breaks down..


Marco - 30.30 + 4.99 shipping = 35.29 (5-10 days)
BAA - 33.65 + 10.71 shipping = 44.36 (3-5 days)
PBL - 27.60 + 6.50 shipping = 34.10 (2-3 days)

So yeah, I'd say Marco has drastically improved on their overall price, while BAA.. I dunno how those guys stay in business frankly, because I've seen several people say their service is completely hit or miss when you have to call them to fix an error. Don't understand why they command a nearly 25% premium over the other two.

I find that PBL's site is also MUCH easier to understand and navigate for me personally. I'd say Marco's redesign is 2nd (Or will be after they fix a few wierd things..), and then BAA's. Between Shuttle and Pinbot there haven't been too many parts any of the above 3 doesn't carry. The only notable one I can think of is that PBL doesn't carry any drop target stickers, and Marco doesn't have the ones for Shuttle, while BAA does...but you can order them direct from Planetary, or off Ebay, or many other places and probably pay less for shipping/handling.
 
Generally speaking I think PBL is less expensive than the other 2. My preference in ordering pinball parts goes:

Pinball Resource (not previously listed)
Pinball Life
Marco
BAA

BAA has a great selection of parts, but they are on the other side of the country from me. It takes there orders 5 to 7 days to arrive. Pinball Resource might be the most expensive of the 3, but I like Steve and Gloria, so...I spend my money with those I like best. Terry at PBL and Rick at BAA are both good guys too. IMHO.

Just my 2 cents
 
Pinball Resource (not previously listed)

You know, I've considered ordering from them in the past. Then I read the "How to Order" page on their website, and decided it sounded too difficult and didn't bother with them. I wish they were setup more like the other companies.
 
With Pinball Resource, if your first order is less than $50 (I think that is the cut off amount), they send it to you and you send back your payment after you receive the order. Along with your first order will be your account number. Once you have an account number, they ship you whatever you order. An invoice comes with each order, and you simply remit payment via check. In my opinion, they are very trusting of others.

Tom
 
You know, I've considered ordering from them in the past. Then I read the "How to Order" page on their website, and decided it sounded too difficult and didn't bother with them. I wish they were setup more like the other companies.

Boo effing hoo. I call the phone number as listed, tell Gloria/Steve what I want, mail off a money order when the stuff shows up. Pretty damn rough alrighty.



03-8063t.jpg


"Rubber Lamp Sleeves/Condoms" is what the page says....

..... so I asked Gloria to send a dozen red and yellow condoms. The WHAAAAT!!!! was priceless.

PBR $0.70
Marco $0.79
BAA $0.75(only has blue)
 
Speaking of bulb condoms/sleeves, I have been looking for these from everyone, and I just can't seem tofind them listed from anyone. I know they all probably have them, but I just can't find them.
 
03-8063t.jpg


"Rubber Lamp Sleeves/Condoms" is what the page says....

..... so I asked Gloria to send a dozen red and yellow condoms. The WHAAAAT!!!! was priceless.

PBR $0.70
Marco $0.79
BAA $0.75(only has blue)

damn, didnt think of that, I asked specifically for the lamp condoms. Ill have to remember that for next time:D

Probably have to do with my location but I usually recieve my order from Marco on the 2nd business day, PBR on the 3rd, and only ordered once from BAA and it took 5 days.
a lot of times who I order from depends on whether its night or day when I do the order. After business hours Ill usually use Marco, during the day Ill shop around, maybe PBR or Arcadeshop. Since theyre so close to me I usually recieve an order from them the following day
 
As a goof, you should check out Mad Amusements too. Another great place to do business with. I wonder how they will price stack up?
 
Boo effing hoo. I call the phone number as listed, tell Gloria/Steve what I want, mail off a money order when the stuff shows up. Pretty damn rough alrighty.

Whatever. I'm just an Xbox generation 20 something, so I guess I'm just impatient and lazy right? Personally, I'll just skip reading a page about how to order from a place and go somewhere else. There are too many other businesses I've dealt with before that take me about 2 minutes to order from. I don't traffic in checks or money orders either.

I've also used Big Daddy amusements and thought they had pretty good prices.
 
Back
Top Bottom