Repairs
Click here to view my Repair Chronicles
Every machine is different. We may not have every part for every machine necessary. Therefore we may have to come back for another visit, but will not charge a second trip charge.
RATES
Trip charge is $150 including the first hour of work.
Additional repair work is performed at a rate of $100 per hour.
Parts are also charged as used.
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CHARGE
Please count on a repair averaging about $250. I will provide an estimate over the phone. I will also provide a better estimate when I come out. As stated in the next paragraph, since I choose which repairs to do, you can just about be assured that if I come out, I can fix the machine.
DISCLAIMER
We reserve the right to choose not to repair a machine if you live too far away, have a machine that is too difficult (and/or not worth my time or your money), or any other reason that would cause me to lose more money and time than I would earn.
HOURS
Our repair hours are normally in the evenings and on weekends. Hopefully our repair schedule matches when you are not at work.
INFORMATION
Although we fix many different types of pinball, video and slot machines, we specialize in Solid State and Electro-Mechanical (EM) Pinball machines. Solid State means games with a computer from 1977 onward. Electro-Mechanical pinball machines are from the early 1970s and before that are all mechanical.
If we cannot fix the machine we will charge a nominal fee of $25 to cover time and gas.
WARRANTY
We warranty our repair work for 1 month.
REPAIR OPTIONS
1. We come to your home to fix a machine. These are quoted at the above rates. Count on a 2 to 3 hour repair charge. (Most Common Method)
2. You bring the machine to us. We charge you at the above rates. This way we can figure out problems 5 minutes here and there if necessary. Why do we charge a higher rate for the first hour even when you bring the machine to us? We have to spend the time to bring the machine into and out of our shop.
3. We take the machine from your location and fix in our shop. This is for very hard to fix or long fixes. We can research the issue, test the problems and order the parts. We can work on a fix 5 minutes here and there and get the machine working. Minimum charge for this service is $750. This includes two trip charges (within 50 miles) and up to 3 hours of repair work. Additional charges apply to parts. If we can solve the problem in less than 3 hours, we will use the extra time to clean the playfield. We can also clean the playfield, change the lights, replace the rubbers, etc for an additional fee.
NOTE ABOUT REPAIR - ESPECIALLY ELECTRO-MECHANICAL PINBALLS
Once a machine is repaired, you will get to use it. Maybe even for the first time in years. We will make every effort to completely test the machine before we leave. However, once you really start playing the machine, other problems may appear. We will fix them, but you must understand that these are new, additional problems and not a continuation of the original problem. This is the reason there are so few people willing to repair older pinball machines. People will assume that the machine was not completely fixed and will expect the person to come back and fix a totally different problem.
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SLOT MACHINES
We CANNOT fix Electro-Mechanical Slot Machines. (Based on talking with other people that repair slot machines, it seems like no one bothers to work on these since they are not worth the time to repair.) [In other words, if you go to an auction and find one not working and they say it just needs a minor repair, they are lying. Do not buy the machine unless you want a pretty heavy paperweight.]
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
These are just pinball machines. If the weather is bad or may be bad, I will not schedule repairs and will reschedule repairs. It is not worth dying over or messing up my car. I look forward to April...
EBAY
I am being silly here, but wanted to add the following subtitle to the repair header at top:
(Also known as "I just bought 'the perfect pinball from eBay working 100%' and now I really need it fixed)
Think of us when you need a machine moved or shopped!
Please click on the Contact menu above to contact us. If you email us, please provide as much information as possible.
Moving a Machine
Minimum cost for moving a machine from one person's house to another person's house is $350. These moves usually take at least 3 hours. Part of this time includes showing you how to use the machine and doing minor repairs and changing lights. If more work is needed, additional charges apply at $100 an hour. Any parts are also extra.
Finishing a Delivery
Minimum cost for finishing a delivery is $175. This includes one hour of time. If additional time is required, additional charges apply at $100 an hour. Any parts are also extra. Finishing a delivery means that you may have purchased a new machine on the internet and it was delivered to your garage and you need it moved to your basement. (The additional cost above the usual first hour rate includes the use of my equipment and using my truck [to carry the equipment] rather than my car.)
If you live in or near Manassas
Please consider using:
Pinball Paul in Manassas - Excellent Pinball, Video, Jukebox Repair - Voice: 703 361-0420 Pager: 703 817-6117 pinballpaul@verizon.net
