Jammaboards.com was who I purchased the joystick from. They did make it right and shipped me a new bat top. I haven't received it yet, but it's on the way. Funny thing was I wasn't planning on using the joysticks I ordered from them anyways. I already ordered some Happ Competition joysticks from other sources (Happ, Arcade Emulator). I just wanted to see what these metal shafts looked like.
On a related note I have been ordering a lot of equipment from a lot of different people and I have found that there are many bad vendors out there. I don't know if it is because they are doing this part time and simple questions are just "beneath" them, but if you can't resound to email in a timely manner (within 48 hours) then maybe you are in the wrong business. Here is my current list of suspects and my thoughts on each.
Suzohapp.com - As far as price and selection these guys are the best. Shipping prices and shipping tactics suck. (e.g. I placed an order for ~$100 worth of products. everything was in stock when I placed the order, but when they shipped it they shipped most of the order less a power supply and charged me $35 for shipping. Then a couple of days later they say the power supply is now back in stock and ship the $22 power supply and charge me $25 to ship it). My advice, buy from them only if you can not find it elsewhere (score 3/5)
Arcadeemulator.com - I placed 3 orders (2 online and 1 via email/paypal). They are OK. Their shipping speeds are kinda slow. I placed an order on the 14th but it didn't ship til the 17th! Another one of my orders was placed on the 15th and I got delivery notification on the 21st, but the package wasn't picked up til the 23rd! Their Pre-Sales communication is fine, but god forbid you should ask them about the status of you order. I got not one response to the 3 or 4 emails I sent. Atleast they only charged me $8 to ship the same power supply Happ charged me $25 to ship! Use these guys if you are not in a hurry and don't mind unanswered emails (score 4/5)
Jammaboards.com - These are the guys that like to cram things into little boxes... Not a bad thing if they were selling sardines, but sending me an f-ed up joystick is not cool. After submitting a ticket and waiting for 48 hours for a response then sending an email inquiring about the ticket a new stick is on the way. Other than their substandard shipping practices these guys are great. They ship fast (within 24 hours), their prices are good, and they respond to emails (with a little prodding!). Buy from these guys because they have some things others don't (score 4/5)
Paradisearcadeshop.com - So far they are the best of the lot. Decent prices and shipping speeds, and their communication is great! They respond to emails within hours if not minutes. They even offered to hand deliver products to my office (Only because we are on the same island, so I won't fault the other vendors for not offering to do the same). They don't have everything, but if they have what you need you can't go wrong! (score 5/5)
Groovygamegear.com - Only placed 1 order from them (recently) because I could not find
this anywhere else. They say it is shipping soon so... yay! So far, so good! Because they had what I was looking for: (score 5/5)
Emdkay.net - I don't know what the fark is wrong with these guys but apparently they don't want any work because they never responded to a single inquiry. I sent messages upon messages on his stupid website that don't like Safari (which is kinda dumb since most real graphic artists use mac). I posted private messages on this board. I emailed him but and still nothing... nada... zilch! He must be too busy building
pinball machines for his GI-Joe's!! (score 0/5) coincidentally the 0 is also the same amount of my money that is heading their way!
Gameongrafix.com - Sent these guys a similar request for quote not unlike the one I sent to emdkay.net. By the time they responded nearly 48 hours later I was already committed to using someone else to do my artwork. Seriously, if you are going to drag your feet you will be left in the dust. But hey at least they responded all be it short and sloppy... (score 1/5)
Basementarcadegrafx.com - Sent these guys a question and he came back with a through detailed explanation. Asked more questions and received even more detailed information. This guy treated me like he wanted my business, and that's all I want.... well that and stellar/professional/rugged artwork that belongs on an arcade machine! If the quality of his work is as good as his customer service then this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. (score 5/5) <-- subject to reevaluation upon receipt of artwork!
ok that's all for now...
BTW, as far as progress on my cab goes... I have nearly everything I need (save better speakers, case fans, cold cathode lights) and the correct buttons... I ordered Happs competition convex buttons but really wanted the concave Ultimate buttons... FML!
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