1975
How It All Began
It all started out as a genuine interest in how these games worked as a kid back in 1975 when I was 10 years old (that’s me on the right at age 10).
I received my first pinball machine as a requested gift, giving me a starting opportunity to get familiarized with how these, and later other coin-op games worked.
My first pinball machine back in 1975:
1968 Gottlieb “Fun Park” Add-A-Ball model.
The Story Continues
A Lifetime of Experience
When I became old enough to work, I decided that this was what I wanted to do as a full-time job.
In addition to everything I learned by working on my own games in the 70’s, I learned a great variety of additional repair techniques from multiple companies that I've worked with through the years.
Unlike other 'repair people' out there, my real-world experience comes from my work for 5 different amusement operators in Connecticut over the years. I worked on actual games that were maintained for public play.
I have experience servicing a variety of arcade venues, large and small. This includes the nation's largest and longest-established Coin-Op Distributorship, Betson Enterprises, at the former Milford, Connecticut branch office (which closed in 2000) as well as in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania branch office, King Of Prussia, PA.
I also performed extensive work for a classic coin-operated game refurbishing & restoration company in PA for home market sales.
Repairs & Service
Professional Home Arcade Experience
Even before the internet, I would go out to perform home service repair calls in the area, on my own.
Back in those days, the amusement companies that I worked for would occasionally sell older games to the local home market.
The amusement companies did not want to be bothered with actually repairing games they sold to the “home market” even if they said they would, publically. Home sales were just a way to unload old and worn-out equipment to make way for new equipment purchases.
Somebody had to fix those games! And that somebody was me.
These service calls were always offered to me to perform on my own time and I took it upon myself to set up appointments, go out and complete them.
