2004 BYOAC Tokens SOLD OUT!!!

[Santoro]

Update 11-15-04

SOLD OUT.  Thanks everyone.  If you still need tokens, check out the MAME tokens in my sig.

Dave


-------------------------------
I am accepting orders for the Custom BYOAC Tokens that we discussed here.  They are .984" solid brass Tokens, approximately the size of a US quarter and look like this:


Here is our original rendering.  Check the sticky thread in the artwork forum  if you want more details on how we arrived at the design.


Disclaimers:

Be sure to read the prohibitions, observations, and restrictions list below the table.  Note that it is possible that the postal agencies might think that your shipment contains coins (which are prohibited by many countries,) so do not be surprised if the package has been opened and inspected when you get it.  

That is what I have been able to determine as the process and costs.  I have never shipped internationally before so if I stumble across any unanticipated charges I reserve the right to request payment for any unforseen expenses. (of course you will have the right to refuse and request a refund if you do not agree to the new charges.) [/color]

These tokens should be usable in many quarter mechs with minor adjustments, but I do not guarantee this. It is your responsibility to consult the documentation for your mechs or ask in the forums before ordering.  Some good information is in this post.   Here is how I did mine.   Please don't email asking me how to do it see these threads.

If your personal check bounces, you will have to pay any charges I incurred because of it.  I will not hesitate to make public the identity and/or nick of any persons not acting in good faith in this respect.
[size=-2]

{edit 5-13-03 - added bounced check disclaimer.}
{edit 5-13-04 - lowered shipping to 6.50 based on Priority Mail vs UPS. No one has ordered yet. Also added "solid brass"}
{edit 5-17-04 - reopened pre-ordering, updated text with new info.}
{edit 5-18-04 - added request for Nickname, clarified ordering process, included design decision & pictures.}
{edit 5-20-04 - added Tilz's payment info directly to this post.
{edit 5-21-04 - added that there are enough pre-orders and that I will be ordering, and that cab side design is final.
{edit 5-22-04 - added international instructions, moved the pac-logo explanation down}
{edit 5-25-04 - updated the international calculation to cover all of Tilzs' fees.  I had underestimated the fees. Updated probable order date to 5/27. Changed "Pre-order" to "Order.  Clarified that there are still plently of tokens."}
{edit 5-28-04 - changed art finalization date to 6-2-04}
{edit 6-13-04 - changed that orders with unspecified metal type will get 1/2 of each brass and nickel.}
{edit 6-28-04 - Included reference to lead proofs, removed text about the fact that I 'will be' placing an order.}
{edit 7-9-04 - Added real photos.}
{edit 7-12-04 - Raised US shipping by 1.25$ as my estimates were way off as to the geographic distribution of orders.}
{edit 7-13-04 - Changed text to reflect the fact that the brass ones are in.}
{edit 7-23-04 - Removed stuff about when the tokens will arrive( they are here.)}
{edit 7-29-04 - Noted that Nickel Supplies are dwindling}
{edit 8-12-04 - Overhauled ordering methods, twice}
{edit 8-31-04 - Reflected that Nickel sold out.}
Additional Search Engine Keywords: Mame Arcade
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[patrickl]

I will take PayPal, but only from your checking acct.  No Credit/Debit PayPal payments can be accepted!!!!  Please send Paypal Payments to tokens@santoro.com.

I will also take checks or Money Orders.

How would international buyers pay?

[Santoro]

Drop me an email with where you live and I will look into it.

[microwrx]

Damn.  Oh well, if you ever decide to change your PayPal account to accept credit card then let me know.

[Santoro]

Anyone with Credit Card processing capabilities want to be a reseller?

Edit: Also, you might be able to get a money order with a credit card.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Anyone with Credit Card processing capabilities want to be a reseller?

Paypal lets you set up two accounts (despite what the rumor is).  You can upgrade a second account and the credit card people can pay there... just make sure that the people paying with credit card pay more to cover the fees (like $0.35 + 2.6% or something like that).

[Santoro]

Is that legal?  I am pretty sure it isn't legal for merchants to pass through Credit card charges directly to customers in the US.

[SirPeale]

It's not legal in the US, no.  Check your PM.

[DPsx7]

If anyone can set up a way to pay by card, then I guess I'm in. Sucks that they'd charge extra just for CC abilities. I wonder if there's a reason, or if it's just because they can.

[Santoro]

If anyone can set up a way to pay by card, then I guess I'm in. Sucks that they'd charge extra just for CC abilities. I wonder if there's a reason, or if it's just because they can.

It is the credit card companies, they charge a percentage af the transaction as a fee.

[JustMichael]

What some merchants do to get around this is offer a "cash discount" when you pay with cash or debit cards.

[mp2526]

It's not legal in the US, no.  Check your PM.

Actually I believe the no surcharge law expired in 1984, however, these states have banned surcharges with state laws.

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
New York
Oklahoma
Texas

Visa and MC regulations prohibit surcharges and Amex doesn't explicitly prohibit, but it discourages it and prohibits it when a merchant accepts Visa and MC as well to keep entry barriers from affecting their business.

But as already stated, the loophole is to offer a discount for cash.

[Tilzs]

I have a merchant Paypal account and can accept credit cards.

[MrBond]

Just throwing this out:  If you really really wanted to pay by credit card you can buy a money order by credit card through www.payingfast.com.   I have done this in the past and it worked great.  Registration is free, but for the $43.50 tokens/shipping, it would cost an extra $3.95 to use their service.

[BASSOFeeSH]

I have my checking account hooked up to paypal so it's not a problem, but I just want to make sure I understand.

If I have a paypal account & transfer $$ to you AND take the funds from my credit card, then YOU get charged?

[Santoro]

I have my checking account hooked up to paypal so it's not a problem, but I just want to make sure I understand.

If I have a paypal account & transfer $$ to you AND take the funds from my credit card, then YOU get charged?

I would have to have a Paypal Merchant account to take that payment (which I don't) and yes, they would deduct ~3% of the sale.  That's why lots of small businesses don't like taking credit cards.  It is net-net, the same as me getting paid with a credit card.

[Santoro]

Just a note that Tilz pointed out to me that the USPS is a better bargain in shipping than UPS.  Since no one had sent money yet, I have lowered the shipping to $6.50.

[Tilzs]

I can accept Pay Pal credit card payments for Santoro via my PayPal merchant account. I get charged a fee by paypals for this, which is directly passed on to you (merchant account has fees for getting money)


The fee you need to send is

43.51 USD send payments to tilzs@hotmail.com

Be carefull however, if you don't need to send a credit card payment, send your paypal directly to Santoro. My merchant account has a fee if you use a credit card or not so tokens will cost you 43.51 if you send money though me.

[TheGatesofBill]

I'll send you a payment once I make a deposit, I don't have enough in my account right now.

[SirPeale]

That's the one thing I despise about using PayPal.  If you have a premiere or merchant account, you get stuck with a fee regardless of where the funds came from.  Credit card, existing funds or bank funds.

I know they've got to make money, but come one, they're making money on the interest from holding the funds, as well as credit card transactions.

[DPsx7]

So it's only $2 extra to use a card if I send it to Tilzs, and he'll send the funds for the tokens? That doesn't sound too bad I guess.

Though I have another question that I don't think was answered before. Is this the set price, or could it be cheaper if we get enough preorders? (Ya know, like a bulk discount. I don't know whether the coins will be sent from someplace, or sent to Santoro and he sends them out later. I guess the second one, but wanna be sure.) Also, if a single person orders more than one batch, would it be any cheaper (shipping or otherwise)? Thanks for any info.

[Santoro]

So it's only $2 extra to use a card if I send it to Tilzs, and he'll send the funds for the tokens? That doesn't sound too bad I guess.

Though I have another question that I don't think was answered before. Is this the set price, or could it be cheaper if we get enough preorders? (Ya know, like a bulk discount. I don't know whether the coins will be sent from someplace, or sent to Santoro and he sends them out later. I guess the second one, but wanna be sure.) Also, if a single person orders more than one batch, would it be any cheaper (shipping or otherwise)? Thanks for any info.

That's how we are getting the low price we are.  I am buying at least 5000, then distributing to the group.

[mmmPeanutButter]

I've got a question...  the first run of tokens will cover the cost of the dies?, right?

Then after the first run, I imagine that the dies remain at the mint, but who owns them?

Like if I wanted to do my own run of 5000 tokens in 6 months and use the dies is that fair game??

 

[DPsx7]

Ok, that's what I guessed Santoro. But again, if a single person (like myself) decides they're good enough to order more than one set, can we save on shipping or something? I'm not sure if I'd really need 2 sets, but I'll ask anyway in case I wanna convert more of my quarter stash for whatever reason.

[Santoro]

Honestly, no.  I don't have the time for haggling on each of these orders.  There are going to be 25-50 of them. No offense or anything, but we are talking about buck or so max you might save.

[Santoro]

Like if I wanted to do my own run of 5000 tokens in 6 months and use the dies is that fair game??

The mint holds the dies for the buyer (in this case me.)  Business-wise, I could not make the dies available to anyone else untill all of my Tokens are gone, lest someone else produces a batch and competes.  I would have been screwed for trying to help out the group.

I think the fair thing would be to allow key people to use them (the winning artists, Saint, me) after the original batch sells.

I can't make them available to everyone because I would need to be on the phone with the mint every other day giving permission for someone to order their lot of 1000.    To give you an idea of how much of a problem this will be, six people have asked for access to the dies today alone.  

And frankly, I don't think giving an opinion or two in a thread entitles anyone to use them.  I think that should be reserved for the people who worked hard on them.

[MonitorGuru]

Just throwing this out:  If you really really wanted to pay by credit card you can buy a money order by credit card through www.payingfast.com.   I have done this in the past and it worked great.  Registration is free, but for the $43.50 tokens/shipping, it would cost an extra $3.95 to use their service.

PayingFast.com is BELLY UP.   They tried to auction their business + domain name on eBay and got nowhere.  They are closed to accepting new orders.

The only one left is www.BidPay.com , now called Western Union Auction Payments.  (Which causes confusion when on every "contact member" email on ebay states "NEVER pay for an item with Western Union Money Grams" so buyers think you're trying to scam them sending them to WUAuctionPayments.

Anyway, BidPay was first, PayingFast tried to compete then went belly up, and now it's back to just BidPay.

I have accepted over 90 payments from BidPay in the last 3 years and only 10 or so from PayingFast.

BidPay is a great service. Puts the convience charge of credit card on the BUYER and not the SELLER.

[Santoro]

Pre-orders have reopened.  Thanks for your patience!

[saint]

Got my 3 sets ordered! Cheers!

--- saint

[patrickl]

Good to see the credit card payments were settled. I still need to figure out the shipping costs though.

I picked "Package" and then "Netherlands" + 3 pounds,  from the USPS international calculator and got a list of methods and prices ranging from $5 to $53). I guess USPS Airmail Parcel Post at $17.50 would apply best?

[TheGatesofBill]

I want 100 and 100. Still haven't made a depost yet, but I should be able to get to it soon.

[RacerX]

Just placed my order!  Thanks to Santoro for organizing all of this, and thanks to Chris and Pixelhugger for your great artwork!

[DaveMMR]

Ordered -- can't wait to see them!  

[KevSteele]

Ordered 4 sets.

(and 5 coin mechs from happs, and reject insert labels, a coin box for my cab, and...well, you get the picture $$)

I hope this becomes an annual tradition.

Kevin

[Chris]

Good to see the credit card payments were settled. I still need to figure out the shipping costs though.

I picked "Package" and then "Netherlands" + 3 pounds,  from the USPS international calculator and got a list of methods and prices ranging from $5 to $53). I guess USPS Airmail Parcel Post at $17.50 would apply best?

Looks like it.  I just checked both UPS and FedEx, and their cheapest options are about $60.  Yeesh.

[microwrx]

I've never had any problems with getting stuff to Australia with USPS and they tend to be cheaper.  I usually go for EMS as it's generally only a buck or two more expensive.  In my case 6lb (2 sets) to Australia is just over $40.

[dag2000]

just ordered a set of each metal.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I knew how to say "We Design Therefore We Am" in latin

[Santoro]

Good to see the credit card payments were settled. I still need to figure out the shipping costs though.

I picked "Package" and then "Netherlands" + 3 pounds,  from the USPS international calculator and got a list of methods and prices ranging from $5 to $53). I guess USPS Airmail Parcel Post at $17.50 would apply best?

This is probably fine. Let me go down to the post office today and double-check that that is the best way to do it.  I have never shipped internationally before and I want to be sure.   I will post here after I speak to them.

[JoyMonkey]

If you get enough orders, won't the price go down to reflect the bulk rates? According to Hoffman's prices, if you get 25 orders of 200 tokens, the price goes down to $13.80 for a set.

 

[Chris]

If you get enough orders, won't the price go down to reflect the bulk rates? According to Hoffman's prices, if you get 25 orders of 200 tokens, the price goes down to $13.80 for a set.

 

We're doing custom work on both sides, with stippling and (for part of the order) nickel plating.  Stippling and plating have extra charges.  The minimum order for all that is 15,000 tokens, so that's 75 orders just to meet the minimum.