would be insurmountable. I have
thought of only a few reasons:
(1) To safeguard the operators
from the high pressured sales-
man who is only interested in
burning them with junk.
(2) To create a bigger demand for
the best equipment thus result-
ing in a substantial savings to the
operator and at the same time,
creating more income for the
participating operators.
The financial arrangements of
a program of this magnitude
truly scares the hell out of me, to
be quite frank. I feel that the
biggest companies would pro-
bably cooperate with at least one
piece of equipment to this lab,
however the inferior companies
would not want to participate.
Those are the companies that
equipment would have to be
purchased from.
It is my suggestion that an
operator membership be estab-
lished. Each participating opera-
tor would be charged a member-
ship fee (ex. $500 a year). For the
$500 paid, each operator would
receive:
(1) A list of the best equipment
produced.
(2) A list of the best equipment
produced with specific defective
parts.
(3) A list of the companies that
will supply a better part for the
best equipment thus saving the
operator many hours of not only
downtime, but also future service
calls.
(4) A list of equipment through
technology and craftsmanship
that are not acceptable.
(5) Troubleshooting procedures
on various types of equipment.
This would save operators
many hours of needlessly looking
for problems. Anyone could pick
the best pieces of equipment and
give them a rating A,B,C,D, or
F; but if there isn't a group that
gives solid facts as to why a
specific machine is rated A or F,
what makes you believe the
·operators will believe you?
Another thought I had was
that I feel your publication
shouldn't be used to release this
information. The operators that
are aggressive and conscientious
about their industry and are
willing to help finance the sug-
gested lab should be the only
ones made aware of the good and
PLAY METER, October, 1979
bad equipment.
Thank you.
terial.
However, Jack, I don't like to
share the rewards of my writing,
good or bad, with others, and to
assume from my article, as you
did, that "operators in this
business" have "typically (a)
warped, moronic mentality" is a
grave injustice to a lot of fine
people who have never seen my
typewriter.
How about an apology, Jack?
Michael F. Shafter
American Vending Company
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Son of Sam revisited
In reply to Jack Guarnieri of
Brooklyn (PLAY METER, July
15, 1979), his objections to my
use of Son of Sam in a satirical
context may be valid, and, as he
requested , I apologize to anyone
who found it inappropriate ma-
DickWelu
Red Baron Amusement Center
Dubuque, Iowa
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