Watling rol-a-top

[larry]

I bought it 30 years ago at the Pasadena coin op show and now want to sell it and am suspicious that it is a repo--I can find no serial numbers and the front casting is not attached to the pay-out tray--it has venders so I thought that was the reason for the casting not attaching. The inners look good to me although it plays so poorly I never used it and it was more a decerator piece.
One other thing I notice the escalator has a 25 stamp on it but it is running nickels

Any tips on what to look for as I want to sell it on Ebay but want to be honest in it's presentation

[watlingboy]

With a few pictures, we can probably answer your questions.

Watlingboy

[larry]

how do I post pictures?

[larry]

It was the last one posted on Ebay--blue with plated casting non working mint vendors--not sure if you can see the photos yet. Buyer did not pay so I am wondering??

[drwstr123]

???

[larry]

Not a checkerboard but the blue bird of paradise that was up last week

[Bucky]

EBay item 290732830444
seller whalemanlarry.

I believe this is the one.

http://www.ebay.com:80/itm/ws/eBayISAPI ... true&rt=nc

[larry]

bucky
yes that is the slot & yep that is me! So everyone out there who are far smarter than I--is it real or not?
check Buckys link for photos
Thank You in advance
Larry

[Dave]

Regarding it being real, well, kind of.

The reel strips are not correct because they are Mills Strips.

The handle is not correct for a Rol-A-Top.

The paint scheme is all wrong and I don't think Bird of Paradise machines were ever vendor machines (not positive on this though).

The style of case is correct for a Bird of Paradise.

The mechanism is a Rol-A-Top mechanism.

The back door looks like it is a Watling.

Not sure if the top casting is a reproduction. I know reproduction Bird castings were made but the ones I have seen are really ugly.

It is good the machine has a Rol-A-Top mechanism and not a Mills gooseneck mechanism which is what a lot of the really ugly and bad reproductions have. I think most of those atrocities were made by Royal Bell back in the 1980s. These are the ones that usually have the coins glued in the escalator glass.

I think you have a machine that was made from parts of other Rol-A-Tops.

[larry]

Dave
Thank you for your observations--anyone else wish to chime in?

My question now is how do I fairly market it on Ebay? Do I call it a half breed? I have recieved bids in the 3000/3500 range till my buyer backed out--does that seem fair? I have had this a long time and am downsizing and moving so it has to go.

Can I use the forums expertise in my Ebay marketing without nameing names? You guys say no and I will not even mention you.