Refurbishment of used slot machines and risks in purchasing

[Simple Sam]

I’m trying to make a decision about buying a slot machine and most likely will end up with an IGT S2000 or possibly an S+.  There’s a lot of websites, including vendors on this website that advertise “refurbishedâ€� machines. As an example, the Slot Machines Ltd website describes their “refurbishmentâ€� as; updating the validator, blowing out the interior, replacing light bulbs, putting a new battery in it, clearing it, and putting keys in it. 

I don’t know if other vendors do a more extensive “refurbishmentâ€� (they don’t describe their process) but I’m guessing what Slot Machines Ltd describes is adequate to get a machine from a US casino (is that the source for the high volume vendors?)into good enough shape for a casual user.  Perhaps other vendors do more refurbishment such as replacing worn parts, polishing chrome or replacing yellowed buttons.

My question is what kind of risks am I taking by buying a sight unseen refurbished slot machine from one of the lower priced/high volume vendors on NLG?  Are these good serviceable machines that a casual user is going to be happy with?  Are these machines robust and not likely to have problems? Are typical problems readily fixable by a novice? Why are the casinos getting rid of current model (IGT S2000 specifically) slot machines?

[bhinkley]

There isn't much more to refurbishing.  The shop I work at also scrubs the interior and exterior to remove smoke residue, but that description of slot machines ltd is more than my experience shows most shops would do.  I prefer the s2000 models myself, but both are strong platforms.  The s2000 isn't really a super current machine model.  Most casinos just upgrade machines every 6 years or so

[Neonkiss]

Personally I wouldn't buy a machine sight unseen. Ask for pictures if you cant visit the shop and see in person. Make sure the pictures are of the actual machine and not just stock pictures. Next check the vendors warranty. Some will offer 1 year where other are as is. Remember if your having the machine shipped it will cost you a hundred or more dollars so shipping it back as an unsatisfied buyer will be more.
Changing light bulbs is cheap unless your talking about LED's so see what type of lighting your getting. The xenon bulbs in the reels can be $3.00 ea and a machine has 18 of them for a 3 reel machine. Other machines have led backlighting for the reels and they are part of a circuit board and can not be changed individually.

Cleaning of a machine is a broad statement. That can be running a vacuum through the insides or literally washing it out with a degrease to remove the nicotine. I've had machines so filthy that I though about just throwing them out and other that were 6 years old and still looked new. It all depends on the casino and if the have a maintenance program or allow smoking on the casino floor. Nicotine can be very nasty and have a lingering smell.

I suggest to buy from a sponsored vendor and ask many question.

[FORDSBS]

   with Neon

[PLUNGER BOY]

I would contact Yoeddy on this forum . I hear he is trying to sell a old 3 credit round top S2000 mummy machine . It's not a very desirable game but you could change it out later . Lol    P.B 

[jay]

Why casinos get rid of machines is a somewhat complicated answer ....

When I buy expensive computer systems like a Vblock for 1.5mm I get a 3 yr maint program and then year 4 its 600K.... assuming that I plan to hold on to the system for another 3 years the vendor can easily convince me to spend another 1.5mm of capital on an updated model vs spending 1.8mm of operating funds (over 3 years). Casinos have similar considerations.

Casinos often lease their equpment from the manufacturer. Say the list price for a new slot is 10K a 3yr operating lease would work out to about 7800 + interest. The benefit of an operating lease is that the entire cost can be written off against the taxes. However if you keep it 3yrs + 1 day this then reverts to a capital asset and they can only write off 20% per year of the depreciated value meaning they have to pay Uncle Sam back 2000 in tax plus penalties. They also now have an increased asset base on the books which is not good when you are talking about publically traded companies. The manufacturer on the other hand has made their profit on the machine because 10K is the over priced value that they don't expect anyone to pay. The manufacturing model is insented on selling new product so the old machines are sold off enmass. Often as low as $50 per machine. Its cheaper for the casino to do this as recyling of this would cost vs receving a revenue stream. When the wholesalers like slot machine ltd buys machines its by the container full (600+ machines) They probably get 50% of the machines in working order but still must clean, and strip parts like player tracking.

For most of these dealers their target market is the overseas market like the caribiean where every all-incusive has a casino. They would sell 50-100 machines at a time.  Selling to a consumer is just a side business.

[BR549 Auto Sales]

Hey Sam, do you have a brother named Simon? Lol. Actually I have bought several unshopped machines from Chris at Slot Machines LTD, and always had great results, he's a really good guy to deal with and has good prices. I'm sure other vendors on this site are just as good but I just speak from my experience with him.

[Yoeddy1]

I would contact Yoeddy on this forum . I hear he is trying to sell a old 3 credit round top S2000 mummy machine . It's not a very desirable game but you could change it out later . Lol    P.B  

Yeah, who would want a clapped out boring game like that?  Why I bought that crummy machine is beyond me.  

Jason

[Simple Sam]

I'm not trying to single out Slot Machines Ltd; they just had a specific description of their refurbishment process.  I assume they are similar to their competition like Ohio River Slots, Ohio Gaming, AZ Slots and Colorado River Slots (Rocky Mountain Slots, London Bridge Slots).  I'm trying to get a feel for what a $500 to $700 refurbished S2000 is like.  Are they 1) worn out, cosmetically challenged devices, or 2) good functioning with minor cosmetic wear and tear, or 3) excellent condition with just slight cosmetic wear or 4) something else?  Can anybody describe their experience with any of the previously noted vendors?

[jay]

I purchased my first two slots from a much less reputible dealer (pre NLG).

1. My reel strips were on wrong on one slot, on the other I had the wrong reel strips for the game.
2. One one of my machines the coin comparitor was a non-comparitor manual IMONEX, replacing this later with a real coin comparitor I found that several wires had been cut and shorted to allow the IMONEX to function.
3. The coin divertor - which is solinoid controlled was also wire tied back on the Imonex since the coin comparitor was not there to control it. Subsequently I found that it had burnt out.
4. One of my hoppers had a bad hopper brake. I fixed this with a spring from a PEN. Both of my hoppers needed new hopper knifes.
5. When I cleaned out my hopper one had a huge amount of old coin wrappers and crap under the coin wheel.
6. These being S+ machines, mine had a bit of wear on the upper crome. I presume this was caused by people breaking open rolls of quarters.
(good case for tito)
7. I had holes in my player tracking plate where the player tracking stuff had been taken out, and nothing put in place to cover them...

The good - I learned a ton about slots as the dealer would not return my calls.
The bad - I had no one to blame but myself.

Any of the dealers that have NLG banners have been given those banners - not sold, not because of donations, but because they were earned by being good and decent to NLG members and I can assure you that none of the problems I described would befall you buy purchasing from any of them.

[Yoeddy1]

For your reading pleasure...can't believe that was almost 4 years ago already!

http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=4021.0

Luckily everything was resolved, but it was a painful road when I was starting out.  We live, we learn, and we all start somewhere.  Do your homework, get photos and/or video, and understand the fine print. 

Thanks,
Jason

[slotsteve]

sam if you can't find a good slot cheap  in area you live in something  is  wrong your better hitting local dealers than having shipped  , cash talks

[stayouttadabunker]

haha! Jason, the 1st thing I sent ya was the FAQ!!   

[Frank A]

As stated herein, buy from one of our member dealers and you can't go wrong. Joey is great !
Frank A