I get a lot of email asking, "Will you come to my home and fix my pinball or coin-operated arcade game?" The answer is YES! And the price is less than you may think.

In-Home Pinball Repair Service.
If you live anywhere around the lower part of Michigan I can travel to your home and fix your pinball or arcade game (EM or Solidstate) in your home or business. This includes the South East Michigan and Detroit metro area like Brighton, Detroit, Novi, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Grosse Pointe, Taylor, Dearborn, Farmington, Shelby, Macomb, Sterling Heights, Bay City, Troy, Royal Oak, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Battlecreek, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Howell, Walled Lake, Pinckney, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Beverly Hills MI, Grass Lake, Livonia, Westland, Ypsilanti, Belleville, White Lake, Commerce, Franklin. Basically from the Port Huron (thumb of Michigan) down to Toledo Ohio, and up to Kalamazoo, and across to Detroit Michigan, and all points in between. This includes the Michigan counties of counties including Oakland, Wayne, Monroe, St. Clair, Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Washtenaw, Jackson, Ingham county and others. Also Toledo Ohio and surrounding areas in north west Ohio.

I specialize in pinball games from the 1940s to present. That means I can fix an old EM (electro-mechanical) pinball, or the most current solidstate pinball games. I also fix old shuffle alley/puck bowling and ball bowlers, arcade baseball pitch and bat games, arcade mechanical gun games, and other similar arcade games. This includes coin operated games made by Gottlieb, Williams, Bally, DataEast, Midway, Sega, Stern, Chicago Coin (CCM), Genco, Mutoscope, United and many others. Newer Solidstate dot matrix display games to the oldest electro-mechanical pinballs.

I bring all tools and parts for your game with me (I would say less than 5% of the time I have to make a second trip back because I am missing a part). And if I can't fix your game there's no charge (assuming you're under 30 miles drive.)

As part of the service I also clean the playing surface and the rubber bumpers (and replace them if they need it or you want it.) This only take a few minutes, and it's easy to do. I will show you how you can do this in the future too. Because keeping the playing surface clean is the best way to keep your game playing great, lasting longer, and of course looking good.

Note I am animal friendly! That is, if you have a dog or cat or two at your home, that is not a problem. I can fix your pinball game at your home with no worry about pets.

Generally a 120 mile trip (each way) is about as far as I can travel to do a game repair (like two hours each way). There is of course an additional cost if you live over 45 miles each way. I have traveled up to three hours each way to fix someone's games. Also I only travel at most 60 miles each way during November to March, because the winter Michigan weather is too unpredictable. So if you are in Kalamazoo and need a game fixed for Christmas, please let me know if possible by October so I can make the trip before the winter weather comes.

I also repair many slot machines (email for more details), ranging from old 1930s-1950s mechanical slot machines, and newer 1990s IGT, Bally, Williams slot machines (for example IGT Double Diamond, IGT Triple Diamond, IGT Sizzling Sevens, IGT Wild Cherry, IGT Red White & Blue, IGT 4th of July, Williams Winning Streak, Jackpot Party, Big Bang Piggy Banking, etc).

Can also repair and fix Chexx and Super Chexx Hockey games (domed bubble hockey) from 1983 (when introduced) to present.

I've come to the realization that, as a repair person, sometimes you just have to "take care of the flock". What I mean is, sometime you have to go out of your way to fix things when the compensation for the work may not be forthcoming. That is, people have a pinball that is broken, they have kids, and maybe they don't have enough money to get the game fixed. So what to do?

If you are in this situation, please contact me. Often I can offer some solutions to fixing your pinball at a lower cost. Just call me and let's talk about it. My pricing has changed in the last year. I think you'll find it very economical to have me come out and repair your game.

I understand money is tight in these economic conditions. Believe me, because the economy is effecting everyone, including me! So if you have a broken pinball, and you don't have $50 to $250 (typical repair cost) to fix it, contact me and let's talk about. I may be able to offer some lower cost ideas to get your game fixed.

Where to Play Pinball in Michigan.
I get asked a lot, "where can I go play pinball in Southeast Michigan?" There are not a lot of spots to go, but there are few:

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, 31005 Orchard Lake rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Crazy Carl's Video, 1340 S. Commerce rd, Walled Lake, MI 48390

Marvin's is of course more than just pinball, it's an *awesome* place in general. There isn't an easy way to describe it, you just have to go and check it out. Marvin usually has about six pinball machine, all being 1990s and newer models.

Crazy Carl's has the largest vintage pinball arcade in Michigan, with mostly fully restored 1970s mechanical style games. If you remember playing pinball as a kid, Carls is a great place to play Michigan pinball. They also usually have new Stern pinballs and classic video games too. And Carl's also has other games too like a ball bowler.

Feel free to send me an email at cfh@provide.net or call me at 248-390-5382 to discuss your needs. Please only call if you are in the Michigan/NW Ohio area. That is, I really can't help fix your game if you live in California. (Well unless you want to fly me to your location!) Also if you have a broken game you want to get rid of, I do sometimes buy games. This includes pinball machines, gun games, bowling games, slot machines, and Chexx hockey games. But frankly I would rather fix these games in your home if at all possible.

01/02/10 Pinball Repair Update.
Give me a call with your pinball repair needs. I would be glad to help. Note I can compete with anyone in the Detroit area on price. Got through the holidays so things are "normal" again and not so hectic.

Arcade Video Game Service.
Though I do not specialize in coin-operated video arcade games, I do sometimes repair classic arcade videos like Pacman, Ms.Pacman, Centipede, Millipede, Galaga, Qbert, Defender, Stargate, Robotron and other similar era coin operated arcade games. I don't stray too far outside of these games though, as video game repair is not my specialty (pinball repair is my strength.) But often I can repair a Ms Pacman or Centipede.

Q) When do you usually schedule repairs?
A) I generally try and schedule repairs for 10am on weekdays. I do weekends repairs too (Saturday or Sunday at 11am or so), for those that need it. Basically the only time I generally don't fix games is the evenings (I like to be around for the family). But please call or email to discuss your situation. I can work around your schedule!

Q) How much does it cost to fix a game at my house?
A) This is difficult to determine without seeing the game, but I can give a range of what most games cost to repair (cost based on time). Generally speaking, 95% of all repairs fall in the $50 to $250 price repair range. There are some caveats to this. For example, if you have more than one game obviously this usually takes more time. Older games (1950s/1960s) can also take longer to fix. Shuffle alleys and Ball bowlers from the 1950s and 1960s tend to take the most time. Solidstate pinballs from 1977 to 1985 with batteries on the computer board sometimes cost more to repair. I know now you're asking, "Batteries? Why would my game have batteries, and what does that matter?" Well most solidstate pinballs do use batteries to store high scores and book keeping functions. And the batteries can leak their corrosive fluids and ruin connectors and even eat the computer board (this is why I usually mount remote battery holders on many games I repair to prevent this problem in the future.) If the batteries have leaked, and the computer board must be replaced, this obviously will cost more (I do usually carry spares with me though.) But please keep this in mind - have you called a plumber lately? I know I have, and just to get a plumber to your house is about $100 minimum. So by comparison, in-home pinball repair is a bargain.

Q) Will my pinball repair require multiple trips? What Lead time is needed for an appointment?
A) Ninetyeight percent of the time I can repair your pinball in one trip. No one likes return trips, especially me! I usually book appointments about one week in advance.

Q) Would it be cheaper for me to bring my game to you for repair?
A) The short answer is NO. On the rare occasion it has happened (like people from Canada sometimes bring games to me), but generally it's just not necessary. When moving a game, there are lots of considerations too. You have to disassemble the machine, get it out of your house, put it in your vehicle, and drive it. And then do it in reverse after the repair. And there is a good chance the game will be damaged in the process. Moving a pinball is no easy task. If you break the irreplaceable score glass your valuable pinball is now nothing more than $50 worth of parts. And in the process of moving or setting up the game once it's fixed and back at your house, there is a chance it could be mis-connected, damaging the machine. Or worse, damaging YOU while moving the 300 pound monster. So in the end, is it really worth it? Wouldn't it just be easier (and cheaper!) to have me come out once and fix it at your home? YES.

Q) A local repair shop is asking me to remove a board or to bring the entire game to them. Wouldn't that be cheaper?
A) Again the answer is NO it would not be cheaper. Removing a suspect board and sending it away for repair is a risk. When (if) you get the board back, you have to plug it back in correctly, and there may still be a problem elsewhere in the game, which damages the board again. It makes far more sense to have the whole game to repair. So what about bring it to a local shop? Again, do you really want to move a 300 pound pinball? Or pay them to pick up/deliver it? I can guarentee it won't be cheaper to bring a machine to them!

Q) How much are parts?
A) In most cases parts are pretty reasonable and not expensive. I generally don't charge a lot for parts. I should say that some custom parts are expensive, like digital orange score displays, but most everything else is pretty reasonable.

Q) How much do you charge per hour?
A) I get asked this a lot, and frankly it's difficult to answer. I always give people a price range for repairs, as discussed above. And if the repair turns out to be time consuming and takes a long time, I will try and stay in the stated price range. In these cases obviously I'm working a lot cheaper "by the hour" than a standard repair. The point I'm making is that I will put a price ceiling on nearly all repairs, so the budget is not blown, regardless of how long the repair takes. It's best to discuss this on the phone for your particular situation, so give me a call and we can talk about it. Basically the more time I'm at your home, the less the hourly rate becomes.

Q) Will you clean my game too?
A) Yes I will. I always make sure the playing surface of any game I work on is clean. It's part of the service I provide, and frankly it only takes a few minutes to do this. I also like to show the customer how to keep their game clean.

Q) Do you warranty your work?
A) YES. If the same problem that I fixed happens again in a reasonable amount of time, there is no charge for me to come out again and fix it. Obviously there are some caveats to this. I should state some obvious things first, like pinball is very "mechanical." Meaning you're kicking around a three ounce steel ball, so things DO break. There's no way around that. To expect a pinball game to remain "perfect" indefinitely is frankly not realistic. Also most games I'm fixing are 15+ years old. Keep in mind that these games were designed for a 5 year life span! My point is, pinballs do break. I try and be as pro-active about repairs as possible. But I can't predict the future and what will happen in one week or one year.

That all said, there is one more point I would like to add in regards to my warranty. If the game breaks again shortly after I repair it, you should call/email ASAP. I can't read minds, so if the game breaks again, please call or email! I *will* take care of issues quickly. But I can't do that if you don't tell me they exist.

Q) A local shop is willing to fix my pinball, but I have to bring it to them. Won't this be cheaper?
A) Heck No! Trust me on this, the shops in the Detroit and in particular the Walled Lake area that offer that service will NOT cost you less. Besides the fact that you have to disassemble and move your game to AND from their shop, the bills that I have seen reflect much higher repair costs than I do repairing your game at your home. Add to that the cost of a good chiropractor, and the fact that they may have your game for *months*, well, you get the point.

Q) I have lost the key to my game. Do you have a "master key"?
A) There really is no such thing as a master key. But I can usually get into a locked game without too much trouble.

Q) Can I watch when you fix my machine at my home?
A) Yes you can. A lot of people watch and learn some things about pinball machine care. I'm happy to share this kind of information. That's another reason why having me come to your home to fix your game is better than dropping it off at a local repair shop.

Q) Are there any spray lubricants or contact cleaners I should use on my game?
A) NO. Nothing from a spray can should be used in pinball. Chemicals can not fix a mechanical problem. If a repair guy shows up with WD-40 or Contact Cleaner, it's time to find a new repair guy! I fix problems correctly, not by spraying WD-40 (which isn't really a lubricant anyway.) Did I mention spray fluids are flammable too? (Yes you can start your game on fire rather easily with spray fluids.)

Q) Do you have any references?
A) No problem, I can provide references. I have also written extensively about pinball repair in the pinrepair.com web pages, and I write for an magazines. I've even done webcasts on pinball repair and history, and some pinball repair videos. I also speak at pinball conferences across the country from Seattle to San Francisco to Chicago to Pennsylvania.

Q) Do you have any pinball games?
A) Yes of course. In fact, I probably have more games than I'm willing to admit. (I'm just not some yonkel that fixes games yet doesn't own any.) I probably have the largest pinball and EM arcade game collection in Michigan, with games ranging from the 1930s to present.

Q) I have several old broken pinballs from the 1960s and 1970s that have been stored in our barn for 10+ years. Can you fix these?
A) Yes I can. But please have them set up on their legs and the inside vacuumed (especially if stored outside, mouse house!), so I can get right to fixing them. Hopefully water, rust and vermin are not big issues.

Q) I live in Lansing and have a Bally Bobby Orr Powerplay pinball from 1978. Will you come to Lansing and repair it?
A) Yes most certainly. Lansing is within my travel area and I am very familiar with that era of Bally pinball.

Q) I have a 1993 Bally Twilight Zone pinball that turns itself off during play when I press both flippers. Can you your fix this?
A) This is a common problem for Twilight Zone, and yes I can fix this.

Q) I have a 1980 Gottlieb Haunted House pinball that has not worked in 5 years. No one can repair it so it works more than two weeks. Can you fix it?
A) Haunted House is a great pinball, very enjoyable. I am very experienced with older solidstate Gottlieb pinballs, and yes I can fix this game at your home so it is reliable.

Q) I have an older 1972 Gottlieb King Rock EM pinball. It was the game in our house when I was a child, and hasn't worked for 20 years. I am now 40 years old and would like to have it working for my children to enjoy. I live in Port Huron. Can you fix this machine? Do you carry parts with you?
A) Yes I certainly can fix it. And I carry all the parts I would need with me for your game. I have lots of experience with older Electro-Mechanical (EM) pinballs, and Port Huron is within my travel area.

Q) I have a 1963 Chicago Coin Grand Spare Lite ball bowler. It has not worked for about 10 years, and we can not find anyone to fix it. I am located in Farmington Hills, can you repair it? Do you carry the parts?
A) Yes I repair ball bowlers and shuffle alley bowlers from this era, and I carry the parts needed.

Q) I have a 1977 Bally Eight Ball pinball. One repair guy told me it's too old to fix, and would be unreliable. Do you agree?
A) No I don't agree with the 'unreliable' statement at all. Though this is an early solidstate pinball, and it may require some work, I find after repair this series of early solid state pinballs run very reliably. So yes I would be happy to repair this game in your home.

Q) I have several an IGT Triple Diamonds slot machine. It displays a "12" in the score area, and will not accept money. Can you fix this?
A) Yes I can. Email for details but I do work on many new and old slot machines.

Q) I have several old EM pinball games from the 1960s and 1970s. Will you come to my house in Brighton Michigan and repair them?
A) Yes most definately. I love working on the older Electro-Mechanical EM pinball and EM arcade games.