Skeeball Maintenance (my friend's making money idea)

[mmmPeanutButter]

Ok, my friend was planning on buying a skeeball machine and putting it in a bar.  He would collect the money and give a percentage to the bar. 

He was asking me my opinion on the idea and I think it's a good idea, but my main concern is the maintenance.  He doesn't have any technical experience at all.  When the machine needs service, he'll need to get it done right away or else people will get pissed always seeing the "out of order" posted on the machine.  He would need to get a local gaming place to service it.

How much regular maintenance is required?

I assume it is a pretty simple machine, so would the maintenance be relatively inexpensive?

Also, they were quoted $1,300 for a full-sized machine (shipped).  Is that in line?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

[Karetaker]

If he knows nothing, his best bet would be to get a spare board and a spare ticket dispenser. These things of course cost money and might not be worth it. For service I charge a $50 service charge and $50 an hour. For someone like this I would charge a $75 service charge and $75 an hour. I don't think your friend will end up getting rich off of this venture.

As far as the $1,300 for the machine, it's impossible to say not knowing anything about the machine.

If he is planning on doing redemption with it he is also going to want to check out the law in his state. The machine in and of itself may not be illegal, but the way it's run can be, depending.

[Stobe]

Drinking + Skeeball = Often-Broken skeeball.

What will people turn in tickets for?  (Unless its in Nevada?)

-Stobe

[Q*Bert_OP]

You could put in a ticket emulator board, and have it for amusment only, like the one at da local theatre...

[DreamArcades]

Step one put skeeball in a bar, step three profit. But what's step two?

Seriously though, I don't see alot of profit in Skeeball. If I did I would have gone into the skeeball business, I love skee ball.
Of course if it's really a killer skeeball idea, you might not want to share it, so jerks like me don't steal your great idea.

Anyway, I guess I'm just sounding a note of caution.

BTW: In CA these skill based games are generally legal.

[mmmPeanutButter]

I share some of your reluctancy also.

...but the machine has just been purchased.  A 10' Skeeball for $1000. 

I think they'll be able to turn a profit on it.  But if worse comes to worse, they're only out $1000.  And if it fails, they can put the skee ball in their apartment.

I don't think they'll use the ticket dispenser.  They might have a high score list and they're talking about sponsors too. 

I don't know...  we'll see.

I'll keep you guys posted.  Thanks for the replies.

[ChadTower]

You could put 4 cabs in 10'...

I used to spend a lot of time drunk at a skeeball arcade... let me tell you, drunks and skeeball = baaaad idea.

[jjd]

As a former bouncer, the idea of a skeeball machine in a bar scare the bejeezus out of me. 

Beer bottles are tough to throw accurately, but heavy wooden balls are not.   At least at a pool table, there is a taboo about picking up the balls making them less likely to be thrown.   But the skeeball player will have them in their hand ready for throwing. 

Through a mirror, off a head, etc. etc. etc. 

Yikes.

[Stingray]

A skeeball in a bar. Better buy a lot of extra balls, I can see those walking away if the machine isn't monitored closely.

-S

[ChadTower]

And make sure you clean them constantly, since billy bob is going to stick them in his pants 45 times a night and yell "HEY LOOK SELMA I GOTS WOODEN BALLS".

[DreamArcades]

I'd try to get the bar owner to indemnify you (or your friend). IE, if someone gets there face broken by a Skee ball his insurance covers it.
In most states you can file for a LLC for a few $$$ (not CA) and get some protection as well.  Usually means they'd have to sue the LLC. It's a good way to protect your house in most states.

If you are in CA don't file for one unless you are serious. There's an $800 tax just for the pleasure of doing business in CA.  That's in addition to the state fees and regular taxes, which are calculated on your gross, not net.

isn't it great leaving in the people's republic or California! 

[Ken Layton]

That price must be for a used one. In general, depending on make & model of course, a brand new Skeeball costs between $4,500 and $13,000.

Some states have laws/regulations restricting these kind of machines. Don't forget taxes and licenses too. This isn't going to make you much (if any) money. In a tavern environment you'd be better off operating a pool table.

[Stingray]

Really? I had no idea they were so expensive.

-S

[unclet]

If you went with the older Yellow/Red SkeeBall machine (ie: Model-H, etc..) then you should be able to get a nice working one for around $700 to $800.    I got my Model-H for $500 and put $50 in it making it look like new again. 

The constant rolling of balls would not bother me in a bar setting, but the siren which goes off when the player reaches 150 would ...      I would make sure the sound is turned way down (the machine is loud) and the siren is unplugged.

[Effayy]

In my city, there's a bar here that has a miniature bowling lane in it.  It's not skee-ball, but it uses the same balls, I believe...

Anyways, from what i can tell, there haven't been any serious incidents with the machine yet, and every time I'm at the place, there's usually a few groups playing, too... So who knows, it could end up being quite popular for ya.

- FA

[paigeoliver]

Really? I had no idea they were so expensive.

-S

They are really heavy duty, pretty much the best built arcade games around, they are expected to see 20+ years of service, not 3 years like normal arcade games.

Do you actually have a bar owner who?

A. Wants a SINGLE Skee Ball machine?
B. Doesn't ALREADY have equipment from another operator in his bar.

Skee Balls are USUALLY installed in banks of multiple units, and not just single units.

Also, you don't normally see them outside of staffed arcade locations because they require a lot of babysitting (balls end up on top of the safety net, stuck places, etc.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Really? I had no idea they were so expensive.

-S

They are really heavy duty, pretty much the best built arcade games around, they are expected to see 20+ years of service, not 3 years like normal arcade games.

Do you actually have a bar owner who?

A. Wants a SINGLE Skee Ball machine?
B. Doesn't ALREADY have equipment from another operator in his bar.

Skee Balls are USUALLY installed in banks of multiple units, and not just single units.

Also, you don't normally see them outside of staffed arcade locations because they require a lot of babysitting (balls end up on top of the safety net, stuck places, etc.

Well... the machine has been purchased.  They are just looking for a place to put it.  I don't know if that is the order I would have done it in, but no matter.

They have a place to store it, so they'll be ok until they do find a place.

I'll report back when something happens.

Thanks for all the input.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Well... he ended up buying a second machine.  And they found a bar that's going to change some things around to accomodate them both.  Plus, they got the bar to agree to a 20% share of the earnings (so my friend gets 80%)... which I think is amazing.

I'll keep you posted.

[ChadTower]

Wow, didn't expect that.

[paigeoliver]

Wow, didn't expect that.

I did not either.

Of course I will be more amazed if they turn a profit. I have spent plenty of time in pubs, and from what I have seen the only things that ever get any play are pool tables and dart boards. Skee Ball is not exactly condusive to being played while drinking.

[ChadTower]

You could say the same about pool and darts, really. 

[Karetaker]

He'd better have a strong relationship with the bar owner at that commission rate. Is their an Operater already in this location with a juke, pool, mega-touch or whatever? If so, he is going to view this as a hostile act of aggression. Unless of course the bar owner asked him for it and he wasn't interested in putting a skeeball in.

[ChadTower]

The op may view it as a benign act of aggression, though.

[Karetaker]

True, he may.... I wouldn't. I don't care if someone puts in a machine from the 1940's.... I would view it as an aggressive act.  Unless, like I said if the location owner asked me first and I turned it down. Which if some bar asked me for a skeeball I would pass, and maybe that operater did.

I put an ATM in a location that had four operators in it. One had the juke, one had the pool table, one had the Mega-Touch, and then me with the ATM. I couldn't believe it! Do you think they viewed me getting my foot in the door as an act of aggression? If they were smart they did. One by one I took the location over. I didn't ask the location to put the machines in, they asked me. I simply "out serviced" the others. There was only one "true" operater in that location. The others thought it would be a little side gig for them. Someone doing it on the side can't compete with someone who lives and breathes it.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Today is the big day.  They're picking up one machine and bringing it to the bar.  The second machine is being dropped off.  They'll be up and running tonight.  Once I get confirmation it's a go, I'll let you know where it is so you can give all your money to my friend.   

clue: it's in the north-east.

[ChadTower]

If it's within a reasonable distance from me, I'll go play.  I like skeeball and I like beer.

[mmmPeanutButter]

If it's within a reasonable distance from me, I'll go play.  I like skeeball and I like beer.

They're having tournaments called "brew-skee ball"  get it?

And they'll be using slogans like "live skee or die!"

As you can tell, they're pretty pumped.

[ChadTower]

So why not tell us where it is?  Are they afraid we'll show up and give them our money before the machines are ready?

[mmmPeanutButter]

So why not tell us where it is?  Are they afraid we'll show up and give them our money before the machines are ready?

He just wants to make sure everything is in ok.  It has been a bumpy road.

[ChadTower]

Yet it IS a bar, so there would be no reason not to visit it even if the machines aren't in, yes?

[Level42]

1) What is skeeball ?
2) Am I the only one who is disgusted by mmmPeanutButter's moving icon ?

[Stingray]

1) What is skeeball ?

Seriously?



-S

[Level42]

Ah OK...

BTW I seriously think that moving icon is breaking rule #3 of this board....
mmmPeanutButter please change it or I will report it to Saint, sorry but my little boy of 3 is watching this screen while I'm working on it. If I start up a violant game, it's my choice and do that when he's either away or sleeping.

[ChadTower]

This guy isn't going to report the location anyway, so we'll never see these machines if they are in action.

[mmmPeanutButter]

This guy isn't going to report the location anyway, so we'll never see these machines if they are in action.

Sorry Chad... the grandmother died and I had to fly out east for a few days.


But I'm back.


The machines are at Ace Bar in New York City.

531 east 5th street between Avenue A and B.


(Evan's my friend...  he's tall, skinny and had a beard.  Say hello)

[ChadTower]

Condolences on the passing of your Grandmother.  That is a good reason for not being around here.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Not a bad high score.  Ace Bar record (for now)

 

(the machines are discussed in a blog here)

Seems like things are going well.  The next step: bill validators.


(edit: fixed photo)

[ChadTower]

That looks like a basement.