What's the difference between Refurbished and Restored?

[LuckyDog]

On a newly acquired, old draw poker machine, what started out as a cleaning to get rid of some heavy smoke odors, has turned into a complete refurb / restoration. Couldn't do a good job of cleaning with everything in place so I found myself gutting the entire cabinet.  Even the wiring harnesses were grungy.  Now that it's gutted, I'm unsure as to what level of effort to go through putting it all back together.  Plan to sell it when it's finished.  I take a lot of pride in my work, and always try to do things right.
 
Curious as to what are the details that determine when a machine has been refurbished versus Restored?

What steps or condition are in a restoration, that a refurb doesn't ? 
 
Thanks

[jay]

Retired Slot Machines in the eyes of the casino - once they are turned off treated as scrap. They are in the way, impeding revenue that could be gleaned from live units. Unless your one of the mega resorts like the Venetian or MGM there is no extensive back room in which to store these. They have the slot techs run through them, and extract player tracking, any parts they may want for the bench, peel off any kind of asset tag on the sides usually destroying the finish and then the orangutans' are brought in to move them off the floor right into a waiting truck. They casino has paid for them to be removed. The moving company likely sends them a bill for the destruction and recycling based on weight then offloads them to the highest bidder who then spends as little time as possible making them parts complete (not necessarily working) and then sells them in 20-lot bulk to the resellers, who buy them for like $50/ea. Quick cash all around. Depending on the reseller they drill/remove locks, replace broken glass, test the machine, new locks installed, externally spit shined and sold for $1000-$2500 depending on model or theme. This is what would be called refurbished.

Your doing a full restoration which is a labor of love as the internal guts of these things are usually nasty from all of the liquor spilt, second hand smoke and whatever funk has accumulated, spawning a form of life in its own eco-system.

If you put this into the context of a car - you can buy a 1988 Olds Omega for $150 and make it your winter beater, or with minimal investment your daily driver. You can also buy one from Barret's auction fully restored for $28,000. 

There are more buyers of a "cool" working slot machine at the low end than there are of the ones fully restored. Just depends on how long your prepared to sit on it.   

 

[LuckyDog]

If you put this into the context of a car - you can buy a 1988 Olds Omega for $150 and make it your winter beater, or with minimal investment your daily driver. You can also buy one from Barret's auction fully restored for $28,000. 

There are more buyers of a "cool" working slot machine at the low end than there are of the ones fully restored. Just depends on how long your prepared to sit on it.   
 

Great explanation, and a very good point.  Thanks!

[dahondaboy77]

i purchased a "carefully refurbished" machine from a reputable seller recently and have since done a full resto on it as it arrived in dirty poor condition. deck had not been wiped off or even air blown in the cabinet, electrical taped jumpers and connections and four dead or dying fans sticky with cigarette smoke.  i was quite dissapointed for the price i paid and to have had to dump so much time and money into it myself to make it clean and reliable

[LuckyDog]

That would sure be disappointing

[Yoeddy1]

Two totally different meanings.  Restored is factory fresh.  Refurbished is working, but condition will vary.  No vendor will ever meet the expectation of restored, but if they say it’s been refurbished, ask the questions around functionality and cleanliness.

Caveat Emptor.  This hobby has some great vendors, but there a LOT of bad ones out there.

Jason

[Stayouttadabunker]

...i purchased a "carefully refurbished" machine from a reputable seller...

"Reputable" means whoever told you THAT, was full of ...well...hot air!     

[LuckyDog]

Thanks guys.  Looks like refurbishing is the path to follow.

[hemiroid]

Refurbished has 11 letters...
Restored has 8 letters...
...so the difference is 3 letters 

[shortrackskater]

Refurbished has 11 letters...
Restored has 8 letters...
...so the difference is 3 letters 

 

[dailey]

Yoeddy1,

I disagree. Years ago I bought a couple of machines from 'Bettor Slots' and they exceeded my expectations of restored. One was an S2000, the other a Game King. They were both clean and as close to factory fresh as you can get. They were flawless and stunning!!!   

[Yoeddy1]

Yoeddy1,

I disagree. Years ago I bought a couple of machines from 'Bettor Slots' and they exceeded my expectations of restored. One was an S2000, the other a Game King. They were both clean and as close to factory fresh as you can get. They were flawless and stunning!!!

Yeah, I would agree with you there.  Jim is an impeccable seller, and his stuff was always minty fresh.

Jason