So, for the record, SRG Enterprises is NOT Starburst?

Quoted from jonny_eh

So, for the record, SRG Enterprises is NOT Starburst?

Yes, they are not affliated.

Makes sense now since their NIB prices are lower than Starburst's.

Quoted from HP5P

Pinball Outlet is a separate company, Andre i believe is the guy to talk to there.

Glichrist is also a separate company, Tom Gilchrist is the owner.

Neither currently has any affiliation with Playdium/Starburst,

Most of the operators have been absorbed by Starburst but Gilcrest and SRG run their own shops.

As far as distribution I believe Stern will sell to anyone who wants to buy a certain number of machines and does not provide a protected territory. Having said that I wouldn't doubt that Starburst gets a deeper discount for volume making it difficult for anyone to compete. As for the used stuff. Starburst used to sell to route operators (before absorbing most of them, a few still are around) and therefore had the ability to take in more used games. As for the other two I think they just ran their own routes. In fact SRG has on occaison been at Starburst's auctions.

There seem to be very few responses to the original question of what it's like to deal with SRG Enterprises. Here's a summary of my experience.

Years ago when I lived in Toronto, I met the owner (?) Andre at the Toronto Gameroom Show. Told him I was looking for an Indiana Jones, and gave him my contact info. He said he didn't have one at the moment, but would keep an eye open. Two weeks later I get a call saying he's found one and I can come see it any time.

I go check it out: re-import machine from France, not perfect, some playfield wear, very dirty, plays alright. Some issues are immediately obvious to me: fighter plane missing from playfield, slingshot plastics are from a "Congo" machine, lockdown bar is trashed and repaired with screws and solder. I point out the issues, and we agree (verbally) on a price assuming game will be cleaned and these issues addressed. I pay for the game in full.

Two weeks later, I'm still waiting to hear when the game will be ready. I phone and am told any time, so I make arrangements (rent truck) to pick up the next day. I show up at the shop in northern Etobicoke, and find the game looks a bit cleaner but my other issues have not been fixed. I take the game anyway (mistake) since I'd already made transport arrangements, and ask Andre to find a better lockdodwn bar, plastics and a plane and let me know when he's got them.

Get the game home. Find that nothing has been removed to do the cleaning, just a quick job on the visible playfield areas. A week later I get the call about the sling plastics and pick them up. Never hear back on the plane or lockdown bar.

The good: when I was looking for something specific, SRG went to work immediately and called me first.

The bad: once the sale was made, interest in satisfying the customer became non-existent. This isn't that surprising, I think most people would make minimal effort once the sale is made, but this attitude has stopped me from ever considering buying from him again.

My advice: Buy your first game from a collector, not a business. Never buy a game from SRG sight unseen. If you're new to the hobby, don't go alone to look at a game (talk to the Toronto Pinball League). Make sure everything, even small things, is done to your satisfaction before taking the game. Might be difficult to do this, since most games won't get "shopped" without a deposit, and there is no contract drawn up specifying exactly what needs to be done.

Hope that's helpful info.

Great information and valuable advice nasti, many thanks.