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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: thebrownshow on April 19, 2006, 12:15:37 pm

Title: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: thebrownshow on April 19, 2006, 12:15:37 pm: Not sure what they're smoking over there at TNT Amusements (http://www.tntamusements.com), but I saw this one night on our local public access channel, went over to their website to see if I could find a clip. The horror happens about a minute into it.

http://www.uwm.com/10.asx
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: BobbyG66 on April 19, 2006, 12:23:41 pm: WOW, that sucks.

That guy is a tool.
Looks like he is also a diddler, watch out kids.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: PCtech on April 19, 2006, 12:24:28 pm: I couldn't sit throught he whole thing.....what a 'tard. :tool:

That's blasphemy or something.....he says he is a collector, but no collector I know of, would do that to the machines...working or not.' :angry:

When the guy was in his basement w/ his daughter (I assume), I get this wierd (creepy,slimy) feeling....like he stands outside the local elementary, and says "hey boys and girls, want to come over to my house and play some games....I have candy"

Mourn for the games..... :cry:
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: Clonedsheep on April 19, 2006, 12:37:55 pm: :badmood: I don't like this man.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: RayB on April 19, 2006, 12:52:46 pm: Geez guys. Way to go and judge someone.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: ha-Y-n on April 19, 2006, 02:02:00 pm: :o, they should have thrown the arcade on his head :dizzy:

Quote from: RayB on April 19, 2006, 12:52:46 pm
Geez guys. Way to go and judge someone.

Is that you in the clip? sorry :P
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: HaRuMaN on April 19, 2006, 03:22:30 pm: :censored:
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: TOK on April 19, 2006, 05:34:00 pm: The TNT commercials are a goof that have been played for years locally. He's given away hundreds of nonworking machines free or really cheap (he has 9 stripped Outruns and a Crystal Castles for free on his loading dock right now) and also donates dozens of working games to charities so they can either use or sell.

My MAME cab, coin door, and Suzo sticks came from TNT, and I wouldn't hesitate to by from them again.
Just so people know their facts before they judge.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: miles2912 on April 19, 2006, 05:52:26 pm: The fact is that is a horrible commercial. Tossing games off a building?? Someone send them a link to BYAOC so someone can restore it. What a waste.

He might be a great guy but for gods sake hire a deceint PR person.

Don
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: TOK on April 19, 2006, 07:21:34 pm: Its a business for him. Parts are stripped and what is not salvagable is junked. 3 or 4 machines are often used as donors to create a good working machine. Anyone that visits regular arcade game restoration forums knows this. My avatar was created from a real picture of a burning Asteroids cabinet. There are more cabinets than electronics to sustain them.

Those guys consider MAME junk, but part out and destroy cabs every day. I don't agree with it, but realize it is what it is. They can't all be saved, and some really aren't worth saving.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: odysseyroc on April 19, 2006, 08:26:01 pm: Did that remind anybody else of Morries commercial in goodfellas?

(http://goodfellas.martin-scorsese.net/downloads/images/mourie.jpg)
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: Q*Bert_OP on April 19, 2006, 09:55:23 pm: -smurf- :angry:
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: allroy1975 on April 19, 2006, 11:12:37 pm: I called the phone number on the commercial and left a voice mail that went something like this:

you are sick ---daisies---....I don't know how you do things in PA but here in Missouri we don't throw arcade machines off buildings. It's wrong and it makes the baby jesus cry. You don't have to call me back.

then I felt bad when I read how he does give a lot away and stuff..but still...he could have used a stunt machine for his commercial. That Ms. Pac especially was salvagable.

ugh....
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: missioncontrol on April 20, 2006, 12:28:40 am: I lost complete respect for him once I saw them games fo off the rooftop...

efff him he stabbed a mrs. pacman
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: Negativecreep0 on April 20, 2006, 08:42:19 am: "I Love to Watch!"

yes don't let your kids near this man. That tupee should be retired along with his senile --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--. Man he is even drinking from the toilet in the one scene............ shame on you....
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: Echo25 on April 20, 2006, 09:49:49 am: Made me cringe to see those machines smashed. As Tok already said he's been doing those stupid commercials for years. Whenever I saw them I couldn't tear myself away from them no matter how bad they were. He does come across very creepy, but in real life Todd is a really good guy - got my Scramble cab from him for free!
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: thebrownshow on April 20, 2006, 10:22:40 am: Yeah, he's really not all that bad of a guy, I was just absolutely shocked to see someone like him do that.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: grantspain on April 20, 2006, 11:49:42 am: More like Big Gay Bear amusements :tool:
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: Dartful Dodger on April 20, 2006, 12:17:08 pm: Lighten up, he said he was going to salvage and sell the cab and pinball at an auction.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: RayB on April 20, 2006, 12:41:16 pm: Lighten up arcade nerds! Go back and take a good look at the Ms Pacs and why he chose to smash the one on the left. It was all faded to hell on all sides, including marquee. The monitor surely didn't work (why would they smash a working monitor?), the joystick was black (which tells me they swapped in a crappy joy instead of trashing the original) and for all we know the boards are probably not even original or complete. For all you know the cab could have been water damaged beyond hope.

In other words: IT WAS GARBAGE!

And he was making the point that he doesn't pawn off his GARBAGE at auctions for some SUCKER to waste his money on.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: grantspain on April 20, 2006, 04:13:51 pm: yeah the guy is a typical amusement operator,just a fat gypo from the fair as we say in blighty-i've worked for people like him all my life,you could trust him as far as you could kick him-oh yes and he is just big gay bear
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: SithMaster on April 20, 2006, 04:27:01 pm: er wait he has cabs on the loading dock that are free?.............................where is he located again?
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: Dartful Dodger on April 20, 2006, 04:33:55 pm: There are fewer and fewer arcade and parts suppliers everyday. Personal attacks on a guy in a field that's drying up isn't helping.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: grantspain on April 20, 2006, 04:43:37 pm: i'm not sure what i said would bother this gentleman too much,anyway if want cabs come to spain i've 6 sega astrocity and god knows how many vids for sale
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: TOK on April 20, 2006, 05:47:08 pm: Quote from: SithMaster on April 20, 2006, 04:27:01 pm
er wait he has cabs on the loading dock that are free?.............................where is he located again?

Southampton PA... Philly 'burbs.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: CheffoJeffo on April 20, 2006, 05:56:04 pm: I'm with RayB on this ... he's given away more cabs than all of us here put together (9 TODAY!) ... and probably had to throw out more because people (many of whom moan about the lack of cheap classic cabinets) wouldn't even pick them up for free.

It's not like there is a great shortage of beat-to-hell Ms Pac cabinets and fried monitors (OK, I did feel a twinge when the Black Knight went over :'().

And you have to at least appreciate the homage to SCTV and Atari (after all,Nolan Bushnell threw cabs off of buildings long before Todd did).

Cheers.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: SithMaster on April 20, 2006, 06:23:35 pm: thats like a 1 hour and 20 minute drive plus maybe 30 minutes for when i get lost. need to contact him about picking up free cabs yey.

when he gives them away does he leave the coin doors or cps? or are they completely stripped?
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: TOK on April 20, 2006, 09:40:31 pm: Depends on what was needed for other machines, but typically stripped. Some have the harnesses and power supplies in them, some have marquees, but usually just bare wood.
The Outruns have the steering wheels removed but pedals are still on them.
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: Daniel270 on April 20, 2006, 10:23:12 pm: I've seen the commercial (in segments) downloaded directly from the TNT website.... I personally like that Todd's willing to help out those of us with our projects as far as needed parts or even selling a vintage or restored machine to help build our collections...

Some of you guys are way too harsh on him.....
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: ArcadeNoob on April 21, 2006, 01:34:00 am: At the end, about 9 mins in.....a Ms Pacman with fire coming out the coin door? WTF?
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: cool69rtcharger on April 21, 2006, 02:14:16 am: Quote from: ArcadeNoob on April 21, 2006, 01:34:00 am
At the end, about 9 mins in.....a Ms Pacman with fire coming out the coin door? WTF?
it looks to be the same one that was at the start that they tossed off the roof
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: HaRuMaN on April 21, 2006, 05:39:41 am: I could almost forgive the Ms Pac, but then he had to go and throw a pin off the roof... :hissy:
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: PCtech on April 21, 2006, 11:42:05 am: Quote from: RayB on April 20, 2006, 12:41:16 pm
Lighten up arcade nerds! Go back and take a good look at the Ms Pacs and why he chose to smash the one on the left. It was all faded to hell on all sides, including marquee. The monitor surely didn't work (why would they smash a working monitor?), the joystick was black (which tells me they swapped in a crappy joy instead of trashing the original) and for all we know the boards are probably not even original or complete. For all you know the cab could have been water damaged beyond hope.

In other words: IT WAS GARBAGE!

And he was making the point that he doesn't pawn off his GARBAGE at auctions for some SUCKER to waste his money on.

OK, OK, so the guys given away free cabs, and donated machines to charity...that is a really nice thing to do....Good KARMA to him for that. :notworthy:

BUT, he did dump cabinets (junk) off a blds, and set one on fire? :angry:
I sure that was impressive (to someone who doesn't LOVE or work on these machines)

Sorry....even if it was Mother Theresa pushin' em from the top of the blds, and the Pope setting them on fire...it would still be wrong.....WRONG I tell ya' >:D :police:

Glad to hear he is nice (but sacreligious/creepy) guy though. If he opens a spot less than 10 hours away from me, where I can come pickup free cabs....I will happily start bashing the folks who call him sacreligious, and creepy
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: MameMaster! on April 21, 2006, 04:23:02 pm: wow...it's so odd. I finally watched the scene you guys were talking about...and I was actually horrified.

I'm really suprised at how strong my reaction was.

Man....my poor old pathetic Star Gate probably would have had the same fate....it's a good thing I took it in and resurrected it as Mame Invaders
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: CheffoJeffo on April 21, 2006, 05:06:14 pm: Quote from: PCtech on April 21, 2006, 11:42:05 am
I sure that was impressive (to someone who doesn't LOVE or work on these machines)

One thing that I have come to realize is that people who actually do "work on these machines" a lot are much less apprehensive about destroying the crap. Witness the regular parting out and cabinet destruction that happens among long-time collectors.

A year ago, I would have thought trashing a beat-up MsPac was a mortal sin ... today, I do not.

Some stuff just isn't worth saving ... why are you so angry at the guy who realizes that truth ?

If you want to be angry at somebody, be angry at the guy who let the machine get to the point where it wasn't worth saving. Be angry that emulators and multigames make the classics less valuable so that guys like Todd can't make money restoring them.

Or just be angry at the suit and hair ... that would at least make some sense.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: nipsmg on April 21, 2006, 05:09:33 pm: Quote from: odysseyroc on April 19, 2006, 08:26:01 pm
Did that remind anybody else of Morries commercial in goodfellas?

(http://goodfellas.martin-scorsese.net/downloads/images/mourie.jpg)

how NOONE ELSE reacted to this is rediculous. This is EXACTLY what I thought of. I literally burst out laughing when I saw this pic , and I'm at work right now.. :)
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: Santoro on April 22, 2006, 04:06:05 pm: I got a free cab there one time. Nice guys mostly.

Not sure about the Pin, but the Ms Pac was crap. If you look closely there was no monitor as they pushed it off the edge. They try to get rid of stuff for free all the time (check usenet,) but if he had no takers and was gonna dumpster it anyway, what the hell? I have seen his warehouse, it is chock-full. He probably couldn't fit it in.

I dunno. The pin upsets me more, but I am sure it was crap too.
Title: Re: Why I'll never deal with TNT Amusements...
Post by: Otraotaku on April 26, 2006, 12:54:11 pm: Quote from: PCtech on April 19, 2006, 12:24:28 pm
I couldn't sit throught he whole thing.....what a 'tard. :tool:

That's blasphemy or something.....he says he is a collector, but no collector I know of, would do that to the machines...working or not.' :angry:

When the guy was in his basement w/ his daughter (I assume), I get this wierd (creepy,slimy) feeling....like he stands outside the local elementary, and says "hey boys and girls, want to come over to my house and play some games....I have candy"

Mourn for the games..... :cry:
\

unless you have the money to do it to those games... :P
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: PCtech on April 26, 2006, 04:11:32 pm: Quote from: CheffoJeffo on April 21, 2006, 05:06:14 pm
Quote from: PCtech on April 21, 2006, 11:42:05 am
I sure that was impressive (to someone who doesn't LOVE or work on these machines)

One thing that I have come to realize is that people who actually do "work on these machines" a lot are much less apprehensive about destroying the crap. Witness the regular parting out and cabinet destruction that happens among long-time collectors.

A year ago, I would have thought trashing a beat-up MsPac was a mortal sin ... today, I do not.

Some stuff just isn't worth saving ... why are you so angry at the guy who realizes that truth ?

If you want to be angry at somebody, be angry at the guy who let the machine get to the point where it wasn't worth saving. Be angry that emulators and multigames make the classics less valuable so that guys like Todd can't make money restoring them.

Or just be angry at the suit and hair ... that would at least make some sense.

Cheers.

Now that I think about it, when I did work for a distributor (about 15 years ago), he had warehouses full of broken equipment...I can remember rows of Asteroids, and Space Invaders. I always wondered why he kept all of them. I guess once you have a ton of games, you really need to be more piratical with space and time.

And my anger is mostly from Nostalgia/Jealousy, but I probably would not feel that way if I owned lots of games, and if it was my job, instead of my hobby.

Yeah, that's gotta be it. I've been working on PC's for about 15 years, and would have no qualms about smashing the :censored: out of a computer.

It's still wrong though! >:(

;)
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: RayB on April 26, 2006, 05:55:41 pm: Quote from: PCtech on April 26, 2006, 04:11:32 pm
I guess once you have a ton of games, you really need to be more piratical with space and time.

And my anger is mostly from Nostalgia/Jealousy, but I probably would not feel that way if I owned lots of games, and if it was my job, instead of my hobby.

Yeah, that's gotta be it. I've been working on PC's for about 15 years, and would have no qualms about smashing the :censored: out of a computer.

It's still wrong though! >:(

You're missing the point. It's not a question of being desensitized, or owning lots of games. The Ms Pac he smashed was WORTHLESS. Even among collectors here (southern Ontario) many project cabs have been offered up for free with NO TAKERS. After months of frustration, the owners just smashed them up (one guy burned a cab) cuz they needed to get rid of them. If you can't even GIVE something away, what else can you do?!
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: thebrownshow on April 26, 2006, 07:07:23 pm: Ah quit defending him and let people get upset about it. Sheesh, it's a Pac-Man cabinet, it's supposed to have a little special place in our hearts. Take your logic out of it and get fired up like the rest of us, damnit! :P
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: TOK on April 26, 2006, 09:19:52 pm: There are two games I flat-out hate, and they're Pac Man and Crystal Castles. They should all be thrown off the roof. If they threw them off the roof onto a row of mint conditions Mappy's, that'd be OK too. ;D
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: Q*Bert_OP on April 26, 2006, 11:28:26 pm: Quote from: TOK on April 26, 2006, 09:19:52 pm
There are two games I flat-out hate, and they're Pac Man and Crystal Castles. They should all be thrown off the roof. If they threw them off the roof onto a row of mint conditions Mappy's, that'd be OK too. ;D

Excuse me, but FU#K U :soapbox:
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: PCtech on April 27, 2006, 08:49:51 am: Quote from: RayB on April 26, 2006, 05:55:41 pm

You're missing the point. It's not a question of being desensitized, or owning lots of games. The Ms Pac he smashed was WORTHLESS. Even among collectors here (southern Ontario) many project cabs have been offered up for free with NO TAKERS. After months of frustration, the owners just smashed them up (one guy burned a cab) cuz they needed to get rid of them. If you can't even GIVE something away, what else can you do?!

I think I get it, I just never been offered a free cab, or seen a totally "worthless" cab (although I heard they exist). I do live in Indiana, which may have something to do with it. Nobody offers up free cabs here (that I'm aware of). I guess maybe if I had seen more of it, it would't be so shocking. :o

Also I've only been building/restoring cabs for about 6 months, and can't seem to find/afford the things I want (including a cab). :hissy:

But, If I had the inventory/crap that guy has, I might try something flashy like that to get attention/marketing, if I had to make space.

Plus, I showed the video to my wife, and she said I should do the same thing to my current (10% done) project (she's so supportive) :soapbox:
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: PCtech on April 27, 2006, 08:54:26 am: Quote from: TOK on April 26, 2006, 09:19:52 pm
There are two games I flat-out hate, and they're Pac Man and Crystal Castles. They should all be thrown off the roof. If they threw them off the roof onto a row of mint conditions Mappy's, that'd be OK too. ;D

More blasphemy!......a$$hats unite...assemble the mob!
:blah: :angry: :badmood: :hissy: :dizzy:

;)
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: missioncontrol on April 27, 2006, 10:16:23 am: he only hates them because he sucks at them....

I guess we should pity him
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: RayB on April 27, 2006, 11:54:59 am: Quote from: PCtech on April 27, 2006, 08:49:51 am
Plus, I showed the video to my wife, and she said I should do the same thing to my current (10% done) project (she's so supportive) :soapbox:

Oh that's harsh!! Throw HER off the roof ! ;D
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: TOK on April 27, 2006, 03:22:49 pm: Quote from: missioncontrol on April 27, 2006, 10:16:23 am
he only hates them because he sucks at them....

I guess we should pity him

Bunch of chick game lovers. >:D
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: nullb0y on April 27, 2006, 04:58:57 pm: omg.... dude this is the worst thing ever
i love how 9 min into the film a miss pacman bursts into flames
but we shouldnt go destroying pinballs
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: MrTroy on April 30, 2006, 12:50:48 am: wow. I never saw this video. But I have met the guy before.... I'll tell you guys what. GO there and actually talk to the guy and you'll see why he did what he did. He gave me 4 free cabinets. I wish I could make it sound worst and say they were empty, but he put in extra stuff just for no reason. He has to get rid of a certain amount of things every year. I guess it's easier to get rid of things by throwing them off of buildings. I thought it was awsome. Mainly cause I hate Ms Pac-Man. :)

Go TODD
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: TNT Amusements pushes a cab off a building
Post by: PCtech on May 01, 2006, 08:21:34 am: Quote from: RayB on April 27, 2006, 11:54:59 am
Quote from: PCtech on April 27, 2006, 08:49:51 am
Plus, I showed the video to my wife, and she said I should do the same thing to my current (10% done) project (she's so supportive) :soapbox:

Oh that's harsh!! Throw HER off the roof ! ;D

She'd probably let me.....we have 4 kids, 3 are toddlers.....we've decided the only reasonn we don't kill one another is because the one left alive would have to take the kids. ::)

kinda strange type of "insurance", but it keeps her from cutting my brake lines or something... :cheers: