I live in Switzerland - so please apologize if I am using sometimes the wrong grammar
At the age of 50, my wife and me started collecting slot machines two years ago. We didn't know much about slot machines. Since childhood, I was impressed by the Watling Bird of Paradise. We were on vacation in the United States and I saw such a machine in Ebay. A dealer was selling a quarter Bird of Paradise. I was impressed by the different colors and so we purchased this machine. Unfortunately I forgot to ask some very simple, but important questions as
- Is the machine an original or a reproduction? If original, what is the serial number?
- Are the cash box and back door and lock(s) original?
- Are there any non original parts on the machine?
As I had to learn later from members of this forum my Bird was painted the wrong way and the back door and key wasn't original. Well, it could have been worse.
There was another very rare machine we were interested in. But as a member of this forum, I asked questions to the seller and as the answers weren't honest - we decided not to buy. A very good decision as it turned out later.
Well, the mistake with the quarter Bird is my problem. Of course it would have been best if the seller told me about the non original things. But in the end I have to blame myself. I learnt it the hard way and purchased an additional original backdoor with an original lock and key.
So what did I learn?
I want honest people telling me the truth about the slot machines I am interested in. I want the seller to declare everything that is not original.
I want to know what I buy.When it comes to sell a machine in our collection and it turns out that there is something wrong with declaration and some parts are not original, we are not authorized to blame the buyer. On the contrary - we should say "thank you" to the person who told us about the inconsistencies and tell all about it to the next person who is interested in buying our machine.
Sometimes it is hard to hear the truth about a machine in a collection that started with our grandfather. What if this machine is a fake? Of course I wouldn't destroy it. But I also would not try to sell this machine without telling everything I know about it.
I am very happy, that some members in this forum are teaching me to ask questions and improving my knowledge about slot machines, even if it is tough to hear the truth.
Markus