Okay, here is the update. I got the package on the 6th and opened it like a little kid on Christmas morning. Everything was as requested except I got two 1 player buttons and not the 2 player button I thought I had ordered. I will post some pictures of the packaging and contents of my order next post. The packaging was okay, nothing special, not a lot of padding but it probably didn't need much with what I ordered. Not sure if the mistake was mine or not on the 2 player button as no receipt was included in the package and my paypal receipt did not include an itemized list. One minor quibble was that I did not receive an emailed itemized list of confirming my order. Might have caught this mistake (as it turns out it was my error) if I had gotten some confirmation outside of paypal.
Also, something rattled around inside the trackball and the roll on it was not smooth. I know I ordered the cheap, MAME trackball but this did not feel right even for a cheap knockoff.
http://www.dirtcheaptrading.com/arcade-parts/arcade-controls.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=80&category_id=2So I emailed Dirtcheaptrading and asked about this on Wednesday night, June 6th.
I quickly got a response from Justin at Dirtcheaptrading the next morning explaining that 1) I had ordered two 1 player and no 2 player button -DOH!-
(he included my order receipt in the email) but he would exchange it for me and 2) the MAME trackballs were good but I should not expect HAPP quality feel in it.
I decided to plugged the trackball in and my fears were confirmed as it only worked in one axis.
So on Thurs, June 7th, I emailed Justin back and proposed that I send the extra 1 player button and broken trackball back at my expense if he would send the replacements, 2 player button and new MAME trackball, at his expense. He quickly agreed and this morning I sent them to him priority mail.
My take so far:
Products: 5 Stars
Pricing: 5 Stars
Processing/Shipping: 5 Stars
Packaging: 3 Stars
Communication: 5 Stars (All responses have been super fast and I know this is huge for these small shops.)
Returns: 5 Stars
I do not expect these small shops to give Amazon like customer experience but so far dirtcheaptrading.com has done an excellent job with customer service. Great experience even with the minor slips on my part and the defective trackball. The prices are great, best I have seen on what items they carry. I would definitely order from again.
I will update with pictures of the order and results from my return soon.