It’s the slow winter months, and you may be contemplating a game purchase or two. Perhaps you’re thinking, “I’ll wait and see what this year brings. I can make it through another season with the games that I have.” Henry Ford once said, “If you need a machine and don’t buy it, you will find you have paid for it, but don’t have it.” Indeed, wise words in a competitive world. Bringing customers into your business and keeping them is more about what you offer than when.

As always, money is tight and a game is a game, right? Sure, and a Rolex is a watch and so is a Casio. They both tell time. There is often a difference in the prices of very similar games. You may do yourself a disservice by purchasing low-cost imitations of popular games. Often the lower cost is achieved by using lower-quality parts, which reduces durability. Not a problem if you don’t mind frequent downtime and ordering parts. But you save nothing on the purchase if the game’s downtime erodes your revenue month after month. Here is some food for thought on what to look for in a quality product.

Game Construction
Whatever can break most likely will. When looking at a product, imagine the “testing” that rambunctious kids will put your game through. The Samsonite gorilla commercials should come to mind. A game cabinet made of plywood, preferably exterior or marine grade, resists the cracking and swelling that over time can physically ruin an otherwise popular game. Plywood is stronger than particleboard.

Water games and whacking games should use industrial grade A/C water pumps and air compressors that can hold up to the long operating days of your facility. High-grade laminates hold their color better than painted wood and have easy cleanup. Look at a game inside and out. The components should be stout and easy to get to. Don’t be afraid to rough up the game a little to feel how sturdy it actually is.

Game Maintenance
Most facilities do not have a highly trained technician keeping things up and running. You most likely have a handy kid who put a big stereo in his Honda fixing your equipment. Game components must be easy to get at and repair. If the game is difficult to fix, Honda kid will most likely leave its repairs for last. A difficult-to-repair game may sit out of order for days while your tech works on easier repairs. If the game is broken, it’s not bringing in money.

The circuit boards should be clearly labeled with connector locations and fuse values. They should also have LED self-diagnostics to verify functions. The manufacturer’s technical department should be available and experienced at troubleshooting problems over the phone. When looking at a game, ask yourself, “How many of these games are in operation after five years? Buy cheap only if you plan to replace your game every couple of years and love the ongoing headaches of downtime. Buy the durable game if you need the game to pay itself off and keep generating strong revenue for years to come.

Game Features
A game should meet your needs, not the manufacturer’s. It should be completely adjustable for coin acceptance and ticket payout and have accounting features. This allows you to adapt to your market, season, or any promotions you offer. Does the game have digital sound or overhead lights that will attract the player’s attention? Can the colors be customized to your decor or the game branded to your facility? A game can add presence and help create a name for you and your company with branding options, even if you are a small operator.

Above all, look hard for the differences in quality among games and manufacturers. When purchasing new equipment remember—it’s not the initial purchase price that makes you money; it’s the operational dependability and ongoing popularity that put money in the cash box.