FAQ For Slot Machines
How do to decide which vendor to purchase from?
The key to purchasing a slot machine is being sure that support is provided throughout the life of the machine, which can be up to 20 years. A good test is to call a vendor requesting tech support and see if they are willing to take care of you. Some vendors do not support their products once they have your money even though they say they will. Some vendors do not have anyone on staff that can troubleshoot or fix problems. This is very common.
How does Francesco's Game World differ from the rest?
Well there are other professional slot machine vendors that provide quailty products and services, we are not the only one. Our prices tend to be lower though because we do not have the added cost of a large showroom and we buy directly from a broker. We only have a warehouse. We believe in customer support and answering any questions. We have one of the top technicians in Ohio that knows slot machines inside and out. Ideally we want to make sure that you are as happy months after your purchase as you felt the first day with your new machine.IMPORTANT!!!!!
Please read this entire page before buying a slot machine from ANYONE - including us. It is important to know what you are buying and who you are buying from.
Consumer ALERT
Be forewarned that internet sites can easily mispresent information about their company and products. Things to check: if the website claims they have a showroom with over 500 slot machines, verify that. Each machine occupies 3 square feet multiplied by over 500. Imagine the overhead cost needed and then add on the staff area, etc. If possible, visit the facility and verify that all claims are true. You may find that they only carry 20 machines. If the website claims they have a large staff, verify that the staff exists. Do they actually work on the machines? Some may have staff but they only do the shipping, not the repairing or supporting. Some will claim they have technicians from casinos. Although this is difficult to verify, ask to speak to the technician(s) to get an idea if they have the knowledgebase to provide support after your purchase. If they claim they sell 100's of slot machines per year, how many people do they staff to support those warranty and service calls? A vendor may sell many machines but cannot support warranties because of improper or misrepresented staffing. How long before the machine is shipped? Some will claim the following day but actually ship it a week later and then add on the standard 5-day shipping time to that. Get it in writing. Bottom Line - when making any large purchase - do the research. Would you buy a car without seeing it or believe everything someone tells you over the phone? No. Slot machine sales are no different. Get the facts. If the vendor mispresents one thing, know they have and will mispresent others. Will they still take care of you as promised AFTER they get your money?
Our statement to you
We have a warehouse with a constant combined stock of 30-50 machines depending on the season. We constantly restock as the need arises. We do not have a showroom. We make the slot machine cabinets at the warehouse and also supply other vendors who cannot make their own. We purposely have very low overhead costs so that we can pass these savings to the consumer. Showrooms are nice but costly. Machines are always available for viewing or inspection prior to purchase. We ship door to door using 5-day economy which means a six day turnaround. All shipments can be tracked via the internet. Unless stated specifically otherwise we always ship the machine the day after the purchase. We refurbish and support our own machines, no third parties. We also refurbish, ship, and provide technical support for other vendors who cannot do it themselves. We are not a large company nor do we claim to have a large staff. We have been in business for many years and continue to maintain a low overhead. We believe in good and fair business and will not make any claims or promises that we cannot keep. All vendors buy slot machines from brokers - all slot machines are used - all need refurbished before selling to the public - all should have warranties because they WILL need service at some point. Cars need maintenance, slot machines need maintenance. Whether it be a blown bulb or a question about the jackpot reset key, you will be making that second call to that vendor needing support and answers to your questions. Will other vendors be there for you? We will!!!!
Are all casino style slot machines used?
Yes. This is true for all vendors. New slot machines are sold to casinos only. Most slot machines on the market now are 7-11 years old.
Are all casino style slot machines the same from vendor to vendor?
Yes. Once the casino retires the slot machine it is sold to a broker. The broker then sells it to a distributor. Rarely are these machines in working order. They must be refurbished before reselling. We are a distributor and get the machines directly from the broker, we do our own refurbishing, and we sell directly to the public, no middle men, no third parties. This is why our prices tend to be lower.
What is a broker?
A broker is someone who has a gaming license to purchase gaming equipment from casinos. Casinos are regulated to sell only to brokers. Some vendors will claim they are a broker and deal directly with the casino but brokers do not sell to the public. This can be researched further by contacting your local Gaming board.
Is there such a thing as a Certified Technician?
Yes. Some vendors claim they have certified professionals but no certification exists within their company. Most trained technicians are in Nevada working for casinos. Casinos are regulated by the Nevada Gaming commission such that no slot machine can be altered in any way without stiff penalties or loss of their gaming license. The training needed to refurbish slot machines released by the casinos includes programming chips, replacing chips, repairing motherboards, flashing bill validators, changing the sensitivity on coin mechs, or any other component that might change how the machine works or plays, just to name a few. If a machine breaks and the casino can't fix it, they sell it to a broker. Those who sell slot machines do need this expertise because they have to be able to fix any problem. Our staff was trained by a graduate from a school in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Do all vendors have a DOJ certificate?
No, even though they may advertise that they do. If they do, a copy of the registration number assigned to that company should be posted on their website. Check with the department below to get the facts. U.S. Department of Justice 10th & Constitution Ave., NW Criminal Division Gambling Registration/OEO Keeney Building, Room 1038 Washington, DC 20530
Why do the prices vary from vendor to vendor?
All machines are the same. They all need refurbished and are then sold. The difference is being able to refurbish the machine within the company and the quality of work. Some vendors only sell slot machines but cannot fix them. Some vendors will advertise a low price only to reveal later that the slot machine will not take coins or bills and may even be gutted.
What questions do I ask before purchasing a slot machine?
1. Do you refurbish the slot machine yourself? 2. Does the slot machine take quarter size coins (avoid dollar and fifty cent size coins as they are cumbersome and costly to fill the hopper. The larger coins are also harder on the hopper because of the added weight)? 3. Does the machine have a bill acceptor? 4. Ask for references of other satisfied customers. 5. Most importantly.....do not believe everything you read or hear. I once heard a vendor tell a customer that Donald Trump had played the very same machine she was looking at. This of course was not true since each slot machine changes hands at least twice before the vendor gets it.
What are the most common technical problems with casino style slot machines?
1. Jammed bills in the bill acceptor. The bill acceptor should be cleaned every few months if used heavily. 2. Blown bulbs - each machine has 3 flourescent kitchen/bath bulbs that are readily available at any hardware store. They are easily replaced and cost @ $5.00 each. 3. Dead battery on the motherboard - a battery can be obtained from the vendor or your local hardware store and can be replaced by using a soldering iron. Or the motherboard can be shipped to the vendor for replacement. 4. Adhesive holding the reel strips together comes apart - Use a strong clear tape as a replacement.
What are error codes?
All casino style slot machines will display an error code if there is a problem. Error codes are numbers displayed on the front door when something is wrong. This is where after-purchase support is important. Be sure the vendor you select has the in-house capability to know what the error code means and how to fix it quickly.