Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

General vintage slot machine related topics.
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badpenny
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Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by badpenny »

Below is a thread that has just appeared on Facebook.
I bring it to everyone's attention as I know some of you avoid FB.
I have removed the IDs of those answering the OP.
I myself placed a small order with him a couple of years ago which did not arrive. I wrote it off under the basis: -
Time of year,
Maybe he wasn't well as he ignored my emails,
It was a small order of little value and was maybe lost in the postal system,
Easier to forget it than get excited.

I got my parts I paid for from Dave Berten! Yes, after I filed a report with my local Sheriff, I stoped by Dave’s home to try to get my parts that I paid for months ago. He didn’t answer the door, so I called the Police. Three officers came and knocked on the door until he finally answered. They showed him my paperwork. He said he sent me the parts but could not provide any tracking. He then gave the officers my parts minus two items that he was out of and replaced them with a $20.00 bill. As I know he has taken money from several other people and has not delivered the parts, this might be what you have to do as well. I also was able to get his phone number if you would like to call him 708-545-3524.

Comments from other FB members in reply

+ I had an issue ordering from Dave last year, but he finally made good. I've actually had to use springs from a Harbor Freight spring kit and parts from Home Depot because I couldn't wait a year for parts and also don't know who else to order from.

+ Still use Dave with no problems

+ Seems kind of hit or miss concerning that from others responses regarding this. I have been told items ordered from Daves Ebay seem to be received faster. 3 months? 6 months? A year I've heard? I would rather go elsewhere if this is the case

+ Ballsy move. Good on ya for getting it taken care of and warning others.

+ Thanks, in the end I really do hope he gets his act together and we can all use him again.

+ A very unfortunate story. I had found Dave extremely helpful and often went out of his way to assist. But about 18 months ago things seemed to go haywire with ebay apparently banning him for a period and generally not responding to messages. I trust whatever is the issue is resolved - he was a good guy for hard to get items.


There used to be a Company called Metal Form Products Co. of N Hollywood CA. That issued a comprehensive multi page catalogue.
I still have my last copy. He only seems to trade via eBay as well now. His eBay name is nimblelass. He doesn't always have stuff listed. However, if you contact him and tell him what you want, he'll do his best. I've dealt with him a couple of times recently, and all was fine. He places the item on eBay "Buy it Now".

I recommend making contact to enquire before agreeing purchase.

BP |/XX\|
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coppinpr
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by coppinpr »

I used to use Dave a lot (and his father before him). He was always very helpful and I always got my stuff, but there was always that feeling that he didn't bother to move very fast or make an attempt to improve the business. The website is perhaps the worst website on the net. As I say, I always got my stuff, but was never confident that I would.
sutty
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by sutty »

I ordered and paid for some springs and screws on 15th April 2021, but have yet to receive them. They are not lost, because after I sent the money, no further communication with Dave has been possible, not even a confirmation of receipt of my order or money, other than the official Paypal receipt, after several requests. He simply hasn't got round to it, for whatever reason, but the lack of communication is intolerable.

Prior to ordering, he was very helpful in suggesting parts, and helping me compile my list, and many emails went back and forth without issue, until we had my full list. After a few weeks I progressed, very politely, just for a confirmation. Then after another couple of months, and then again a few months later, and I am just now trying again, but I also thought I would come here to find out if he was alright, and I'm pleased to find out that he is. I get that people can have issues, and difficulties with life in general, but to not reply has had me frustrated, and also worried for him, so that, at least, is a relief.

I'm glad it would appear he's alright, but it's now almost more frustrating that I cannot get any response from him to my ever so polite progress emails. I mean, I should have been losing the plot, but even now I have just nicely asked for a progress update, or even just a confirmation of my order, so we shall see, but I doubt anything will happen, because it never has before. Pre-order, communication was a breeze, post order, nothing, not a peep. Honestly, I thought something awful must have happened, yet here there are reports of him still trading, and of people having no issues at all.

I do have a Facebook account, though I almost never use it, so I should be pleased to see a link to his page on here, if that's where the information was found, so that I could find out more about what is going on. I don't like calling, and especially as I'm in the UK. I'm more one for written communication. I did just try searching for him on Facebook, but had no success. That's probably a reflection of my own inabilities to use Facebook though, rather than anything else.

Can't open a Paypal dispute, with it being too long, not that I really want to anyway. I really only want my order, not least because I don't really know where else to get them.

EDIT: Has his website gone? I'm struggling to find that too now.
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coppinpr
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by coppinpr »

The website seems to have been removed.
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badpenny
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by badpenny »

sutty wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:22 pm ....... I should be pleased to see a link to his page on here, if that's where the information was found, so that I could find out more about
what is going on. ..



EDIT: Has his website gone? I'm struggling to find that too now.
No it's not his Facebook page. I just found it on Facebook. It was one of the specialist collectors pages.
Three days ago his website said he was taking no more orders, today it is inaccessible. So I guess my quote from the original poster "As I know he has taken money from several other people and has not delivered the parts, this might be what you have to do as well. I also was able to get his phone number if you would like to call him 708-545-3524." Just about said it all really.

BP :didact:
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treefrog
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by treefrog »

I have only ordered one item from him, many years ago a Mills slot machine manual, which had been photocopied so many times it was illegible and went in the recycling bin.

There have been problems for many years and we have seen people ask questions on this site and more often over the years on the American Forum, just search berten. https://www.coinopcollectorforum.com/in ... 84f22039c5

Site has been down before as well.

Too be honest you can get screws and springs from other sources, Also most of the parts were now reproduction with rough casting parts needing finishing, as original parts seemed to be largely exhausted.

I have been terrible when helping people out over the years, responding to emails and getting around to sending stuff out, but I guess I am not a business and any business the most important thing are your customers, no idea if this was a hobby or full time for him. Anyway, we lack good resources of spares and advice in this area and hope he sorts things out or others fill the gap !!CHEERS!!
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by luckytanner »

Hi All,
Ordered a few parts for a Jennings Standard Chief I’m restoring on October 3rd 2021. No reply after literally scores of emails to Mr Berten. I have ordered a few things over the years with various degrees of expediency. A particular order took nearly a year for a good friend due to sob stories as usual just like my present order. One is not impressed….. 🤬🤬
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by jra »

Hi All,
First of all seasons greetings to everyone. I tried to contact Dave Berten a couple of months ago but, like you people, had no luck. After many attempts, I received a reply saying he no longer uses his normal way of contact but to use (thunderfivefive@aol.com) which worked for me.
Regards JRA.
sutty
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by sutty »

Thanks for all the further information, and the recent suggestion of an alternate email address. I'll give it a week, and then forward my entire mail thread onto that email address and see what happens. It's encouraging that you got a reply. Let's see what happens.

and yes, Happy Christmas one and all.

Cheers
Sutty
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by sutty »

Scratch that, I'll do it right away, because I just received a bounce from his usual address. It says it's temporary, and my server will continue to try, but still, I doubt it is, so I'll try the new address. The address I was using was mrslot1 at aol dot com

The reason for the bounce, temporarily suspended due to an unusually high number of user complaints. :!?!:

Thanks again.
sutty
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by sutty »

Sorry to place a third post in a row, but as a matter of interest, having just sent my reply, the thunder five five email address, just provided above, is the address he gave me, to which I should send my payment, way back in April 21. It should have occurred to me to try sending a reply to that address, since it is likely that it is monitored much more closely, with it being his 'money' account. I thought I recognised it when I first read it above, but I have just seen it confirmed on my paypal receipt, which I was checking.

Again, thanks, and let's see.
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by stoxman22 »

He took $250 off me promising he had sent the items fedex. He told me that at least 4 times on email before I realised he was either a crook or there were other issues. It's not the money it's the machines that are on hold for part to turn up....
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

Post by 13rebel »

I ordered some springs from Mr Slot last year and despite taking three weeks from dispatch going to various places in USA then Japan they arrived safely. Sounds like I was lucky.
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Re: Sad Story regarding Mr Slot

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