But hasn't that changed? There are a ton more hobbyist buying machines than operators. These days I cannot believe they make more money from operators. Maybe for redemption machines, and if that is their core business now, then I can see it. But times have changed and the day of the operator is almost gone.
How Cineplex lost me as a customer...
- Thread starter dnewman
- Start date
But hasn't that changed? There are a ton more hobbyist buying machines than operators. These days I cannot believe they make more money from operators. Maybe for redemption machines, and if that is their core business now, then I can see it. But times have changed and the day of the operator is almost gone.
Vengeance
Well-Known Member
They run every single arcade in every single Cineplex and Famous Players movie theater, that alone dwarfs anything the collector community could even attempt to bring in revenue wise.
It is the #1 reason why Cineplex bought playdium in the first place.
My money is on this is the first step in the process to phase out dealing with the public all together and go straight business to business only
Then I guess they will get out of selling pinball. I don't know about other areas but the three big cineplex's around where I live only have redemption games.
Vengeance
Well-Known Member
Doubtful
They still have a monopoly
They will just work through resellers like Nitro and Pinball Outlet
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If I *EVER* purchase a NIB game, it'll be through a US outlet regardless of the extra work it would take. I'm not interested in supporting their monopoly, or their business practices and I'd end up paying less even after taxes! They clearly don't care about my business so why should I care about theirs?
D
D
SuperPinball
Active Member
I wonder if there is a place in Buffalo that sells Pinball Machines, may be worth the drive.
staydown
Member
warehouse space is cheap and so is transportation... hmmmm "someone" mentioned I should do this a few years ago.
SuperPinball
Active Member
Unless we can find another source for NIB Sterns that is within driving distance, we may no choice but to take it.
staydown
Member
We have bought 2 nib sterns and also an arcade legends 3 from playdium store and we noticed the last time we talked to them regarding a GB pro they were less concerned about the sale and working with us.
If anyone has connections with a us distributor I am only 20 mins to buffalo... how many games can fit in a minivan?
If anyone has connections with a us distributor I am only 20 mins to buffalo... how many games can fit in a minivan?
meegis
Well-Known Member
Lots of us distros will ship free to buff/Niagara.
In fact, might be talking to one soon regarding warranty items. Stern tech support "understands"
I agree with the comments above, re: the individual hobbiest. It seems Starburst isn't concerned with your small order of LED bulbs, $30 worth of rubbers or twelve star posts (two of which will be returned for a refund). If they were concerned, they'd make it more convenient for online shopping and in-store pickup.
I've bought from the Toronto location a handful of times. While Doug and the gang were personable, it was more of a country club atmosphere at the parts desk. And the prices are nothing to write home about (I've heard the flipper rebuild kits are outrageously expensive, and you are definately better off ordering direct from PBR than having SB order it for you).
I can't speak to NIB purchasing as I've not experienced that aspect of SB's business model...but going south of the border for NIB games is definately "trending" in our community.
I've bought from the Toronto location a handful of times. While Doug and the gang were personable, it was more of a country club atmosphere at the parts desk. And the prices are nothing to write home about (I've heard the flipper rebuild kits are outrageously expensive, and you are definately better off ordering direct from PBR than having SB order it for you).
I can't speak to NIB purchasing as I've not experienced that aspect of SB's business model...but going south of the border for NIB games is definately "trending" in our community.
websherpa
Active Member
People forget that Pinball and Amusements Distribution doesn't have it's roots in "respectable" business practice (I should know, my uncle was a distributor on the West Coast in the 70's and 80's). It was all about selling gambling devices and cigarette machines and skirting the location laws, trips to Vegas and Nevada, shady locations, cash business (with lots of coin skimming), low-wage employees and dealing with shady bars and bad business deals. My uncle was reportedly involved with the mob.
Just because distributors started to focus a side venture selling pinballs to the general public (Gen Y types) in the last decade doesn't mean that the people behind the business sector have changed all that much.
In my dealings with amusement vendors and distributors in Ontario, Quebec and B.C. (and I certainly haven't dealt with all of them) they seemed a bit on the shady side at the best of times.
Just because distributors started to focus a side venture selling pinballs to the general public (Gen Y types) in the last decade doesn't mean that the people behind the business sector have changed all that much.
In my dealings with amusement vendors and distributors in Ontario, Quebec and B.C. (and I certainly haven't dealt with all of them) they seemed a bit on the shady side at the best of times.
DRANO
Super Member
It's pretty sad really. If they embraced the local collector community... perhaps even stepping up to host events and ditching these online auctions in favour of going back to their original format, they would be doing a great service to the hobby... which in turn benefits the entire coin op business in Canada as a whole.
I guess when you're only dealing in dollars and cents, these nuanced 'benefits' are lost on you.
I guess when you're only dealing in dollars and cents, these nuanced 'benefits' are lost on you.
tkaye
Active Member
Shame they don't follow this forum like distros in the US follow Pinside. Then they could read this feedback themselves to better understand their true customer base opinion.
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Vengeance
Well-Known Member
Distributors is the US have competition.
Playdium doesn't.
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bstock
Active Member
Can anyone explain to me why this is the case? Why won't stern allow more distributors?
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luch
Super Member
Vengeance
Well-Known Member
Exactly
Playdium negotiated an exclusive contract with Stern Pinball for exclusive distribution rights across all of Canada.
No one else in Canada can do their volume so from a business standpoint, I'm sure Stern is much happier dealing with one Company for any entire country rather than several.
When you have a Monopoly the little guy doesn't matter even a little bit.