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Rol a top

PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2016 2:13 pm
by rhodesbennett
Hi, I am looking for a 25 or 50 cent Rol a top which includes a working gold award and skills stop features. May have other features such as mint vendor. Mechanism clean and operating smoothly. Prefer all original with original backdoor, lock, key and cash box but negotiable if does not meet all of these criteria. Thanks, Dan

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 6:02 pm
by Dave
Be careful of any $.25 RAT you buy with skill stops. The vast majority are converted french machines.

Just like http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slot-Machine-An ... 1991277096 is.



In addition, to this machine being converted it has other issues. I had a chance to buy this one along with a bunch of others in a collection. Many of the machines were either reproduction or all jacked up and I don't buy that kind of stuff.

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:10 am
by SLOT DYNASTY
Dave wrote:Be careful of any $.25 RAT you buy with skill stops. The vast majority are converted french machines.

Just like http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slot-Machine-An ... 1991277096 is.



In addition, to this machine being converted it has other issues. I had a chance to buy this one along with a bunch of others in a collection. Many of the machines were either reproduction or all jacked up and I don't buy that kind of stuff.


WOW! $8,500 for a Fake. That's really pushing it. And they say it is "All Original". Yeah Right!

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:17 am
by rhodesbennett
Dave and Slot Dynasty: Thanks for your input on this! I had been following this machine on Ebay. I am new to antique slot machines and I am looking to purchase my first machine. This seller on Ebay, Zygmunt and Associates, is listed as being a reputable dealer in "Slot Machine Buyer's Handbook" which I had just finished reading so I thought I was in good hands in contacting him to discuss the machine. He offered to lower it to $7,900 with free shipping but I would never make such a purchase without getting the feedback from the forum members and doing further research. It is too bad that there is so much apparent deception. I will continue to be very cautious before making my first purchase. I am also going to broaden my search to other machine types. My top priority is to find an original, restored machine and not a reproduced machine. There is an auction of coin op machines coming up in Vegas May 14-15, so I am looking forward to reviewing the catalogue. If you have any other suggestions on resources in finding an honest machine please let me know. Cheers, Dan

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:34 am
by Frank
Dan - that ROT is what I call "overly restored" cute, flashy to the eye, but overdone. May be a french machine as well. I think for $3,500 you could find an original if you look. The Vegas auction charges 20% buyer, 20% seller, 8% sales tax - I'm turning to eBay more and more.

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:46 am
by rhodesbennett
Thanks Frank for you input on this! Greatly appreciated! Dan

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:33 am
by Dave
FYI, this machine has been listed on eBay many times.

If it is such a great machine it would have been sold by now. Good machines at fair prices don't last.

One other thing, this machine is not a total reproduction. It is a machine that has been converted and plated which is the last thing you should do to a Rol-A-Top. It would be virtually impossible to undo this "restoration".

If I were you, I would drop the requirement of the RAT having skill stops and being a $.25 or $.50 model. Those are very hard to find. I have never seen a $.50 RAT with skill stops and I don't think I have ever seen a legitimate $.25 RAT with skill stops. Most $.50 RATs are late model machines and were made long after the skill stop feature lost favor.

Watlingboy had a really nice all original $.05 RAT with skill stops a year or so ago and I am still kicking myself for not buying it.

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:03 pm
by rhodesbennett
Thanks Dave! I really appreciate the feedback and advice. I will definitely broaden my search for different denominations and different manufacturers. I know out there, some where, will be the right "first" machine. Patience is a virtue.

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 3:52 am
by SLOT DYNASTY
Dan:
Welcome to our Forum Group.
It is a good thing to be 'patient', when it comes to buying your first machine, and others after, for that matter.
You came to the right place, by looking into this Forum. There are many poor souls out there, that found us
too late, or worse yet, not-at-all.
I have always said that, "any newbie getting into this hobby, and not familiar as to what is a good original or
restored machine, should buy a grubby example, that needs restoration, so that you can be assured that it is
legit". Regardless of being a new or old collector, I DO NOT like seeing someone getting snookered by all of the
reproduction and Crap machines, that show up on fleaBay, as well as live auctions. Many sellers know full-well
what they are selling, but will not put forth an honest description. If you are not yet familiar with how many
different model machines have been reproduced over the years, then start asking. One model in-particular, is
the Mills "Golden Nugget". Originals were made in three different versions, in very low numbers, and very few
exist in collections today. The Repros can be spotted immediately by those of us that know them. NOTE: 99.9%
of all "Golden Nugget" machines on eBay, and live auctions, are FAKE. You can read all about them, and see pics
and videos on this site. Dave has done a terrific job, in describing many of the Repros & Fakes.
Good luck in your quest, to becoming a coin-op collector.
Bill

Re: Rol a top

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:08 am
by rhodesbennett
Thanks Bill! I really appreciate the feedback and great advice. Dan