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The president of COCA contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be willing to talk about reproductions at the next COCA meeting.

I really wasn't planning on going to Chicago but decided to go after all and give the presentation.

Slot Dynasty just updated his article about reproductions.

I sure don't consider myself an expert on the subject but am willing to try and educate others about reproductions. I will be pulling a lot of information from what others have posted on the forum.

If there is anything specific you want mentioned please reply to this thread.

Dave

I think this is a great idea. COCA really ought to not only sponsor Dave's presentation, but provide annual updates as well!

Suggestions for Dave:
1) Repeat all of the fake-indicators you list in your Mills Silent video on YouTube, maybe as a PowerPoint presentation. That information has been invaluable to many, many people, though apparently still not enough of them. What's really hysterical is right now there's a guy posting YouTube videos of the fake Weagles he's trying to hawk, and search results bring his fake promos up right alongside your warnings to avoid them!
2) List/illustrate the details to watch out for among some of the most common fraudulent retrofits, such as the Jennings Victoria/Witch conversions. Tips on spotting recasts and how the frauds rape the machines to install them would also be helpful.
3) Maybe add a little good news: list some of the valuable makes and models that haven't been or can't be faked-- and aren't likely to be "remanufactured" anytime soon.
4) Personal note: brace yourself for angry words from collectors who just can't admit to themselves that they've been had, and perhaps even from con "artists" in attendance who can't admit to themselves (or to anyone else) that what they're doing is immoral.

These are only suggestions from a very casual collector. While Dave humbly claims not to be an expert on these matters, I think nearly everyone on this board thinks otherwise!

Dave wrote:The president of COCA contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be willing to talk about reproductions at the next COCA meeting.

I really wasn't planning on going to Chicago but decided to go after all and give the presentation.

Slot Dynasty just updated his article about reproductions.

I sure don't consider myself an expert on the subject but am willing to try and educate others about reproductions. I will be pulling a lot of information from what others have posted on the forum.

If there is anything specific you want mentioned please reply to this thread.

Dave

marsonion wrote: That information has been invaluable to many, many people, though apparently still not enough of them.

For instance, here's a guy who could use some help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnZxIuDfA4

Two Cherries-- Check!
Glittering gold finish-- *ahem*
Quarters pasted into the "escalator" window-- OOPS!

This sounds like a great opportunity. Since its inception, COCA has failed miserably in meeting one of its four basic purposes: Promote fair, ethical practices, etc (See “About The Club” on COCA website). The club has done nothing for years in this regard. However, recently they had John Papa do a video on spotting fakes after also speaking at a meeting. It was posted on the website’s home page for a short time, but is now buried in the articles section. Now they’ve invited you to speak, so this may be a good sign indeed; perhaps COCA is turning in the right direction under new leadership or something.

I recommend:

You really don’t need to spend any time on how to spot a fake; the audience is knowledgeable and is well aware of the problem. For any newbies present, point out where they can get that info; your videos and this forum.

Info on fakes SHOULD be on the COCA website; links to your videos, articles by you, Bill and other experts should be readily available, even to nonmembers. A newbie visiting the site should become aware immediately from the home page that this hobby has a BIG problem. COCA takes ads promoting VCA and Chicago Show; all such ads should carry a warning (like a pack of cigarettes); fakes are routinely sold there.

Cover what this does to newbies; the recent posting here by Gingerjake (under ebay; More BOGUS Trade Stimulators on ebay thread) is a typical example. Most newbies we never hear from, they just drift away.

Some of the conmen bastards will probably be there; talk to them directly. Perhaps you can find out where their mothers went wrong; did they never learn lying, cheating and stealing is fundamentally wrong, or do they not have, or care, what is right or wrong. Not only is their greed leading them to do what is morally wrong, it is actually illegal to intentionally mislead a buyer (fraud is not protected by “Buyer Beware”); it is just one of those many white collar crimes that almost never gets prosecuted, if even reported.

Don’t let them off the hook with “every hobby has its bad actors or that’s just human nature.” I am in a couple other hobby groups and it is far worse in coinop than I’ve seen anywhere else. Other past posts to this blog attest to this; some have pointed out how many hobby groups do not tolerate conmen among their ranks and remove them from membership. COCA should be doing that as well.

Good luck and have fun!

nvmos2 wrote:You really don’t need to spend any time on how to spot a fake; the audience is knowledgeable and is well aware of the problem. For any newbies present, point out where they can get that info; your videos and this forum.

Looks like they might really want Dave to talk about it anyway. In the latest COCA meeting announcement, Dave's presentation is entitled: "How to Spot Reproduction Slot Machines."

BTW, anybody have any explanation as to why this otherwise typically fake Gnuggit on eBay has a check-detector rod in it?
Item# 171155872329
Wasn't expecting to see that...

Understandably, the organizers of the meeting would not like their main speaker putting a damper on the back slapping.

How to spot a reproduction?
Easy answer: Go to any show or auction advertised by COCA and look for machines sold by the following COCA members; _________, ___________, ___________ etc.
(fill in the blanks)

Actually, it would be interesting to know how many guys who build/peddle the fakes are COCA members.
I'm sure however Dave handles the presentation, it will be good.

Ref; the Golden Nugget;
I emailed the seller and (politely) asked how he knew the machine was original.
His answer rudely told me to mind my own business.
He sold an "ORIGINAL" 25 cent Golden Nugget High Top back in January for $2200.

Well, the talk is over and I didn't need to go into the Witness Protection Program afterwards.

I think the talk went very well and was very well received. I attempted to record the talk but after about 25 minutes my camcorder quit recording. Probably filled up the memory card

I had 20 copies of Slot Dynasty's information about trade stimulators. I decided not to put them on the tables ahead of time. Well, those 20 copies were gobbled up immediately after the talk.

After the talk, a lot of people came up and said it went very well and they thanked me for giving the talk.

Bill P asked if I could email him the slides as he would like to put them in an upcoming issue of the COCA Times. I told him I would. I will also post them here after I return from Chicago.

It will be interesting to see what comments I get from folks tomorrow.

Now, let's hope tomorrow will be productive and I find something cool to take home. Not holding my breath though.

Dave

Good to hear that it wasn't a tough crowd.

Best of luck with the presentation. Brace yourself indeed for the naysayers in the crowd, and last year there was a group. Overall everyone appreciates honest information.
George

I was at the show on Friday. The folks that I spoke with were impressed with Dave's presentation. Bill roll call was taken but the Vegas chop shop was no where to be found. I didn't see any "Taverns" as his table either.
Ron