Hi from New Zealand - should(n’t) I buy this UPC100?

[Ross S]

Hi Jukebox Addicts!

What a great site.

In New Zealand our EBay is called TradeMe. On the site is a UPC100. The starting price is NZ$1000 (about USD$700). The description is brief, to say the least, ‘110v lights up [we run on 240v in NZ] but Not going, needs a lot of work, missing keys [apparently just those that open the unit], had plans of doing it up, need the space’.

Here’s the link to the listing: www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/gaming/arcade-pinball-machines/other/listing/3541903208

The jukebox has been listed several times and no bids so the seller might accept USD$400-500. Also, because we are 1000s and 1000s of miles from anywhere, things here are more expensive.

I’ve never restored or owned a jukebox and may have pushed the buttons on one a few times while a visitor the US. So novice is really an appropriate description. But I do love vinyl and have a large collection of 45s, many once’s used in jukeboxes. I’d like to listen to them more and what better way than on a jukebox…

I’m handy, and logical, but not an engineer or electrician and never restore an amp,
Etc. we all start somewhere…

In NZ there is no or a tiny secondhand jukebox market - all replacement parts and manuals and even expertise would need to be sourced from oversees…

It seems from my cursory reading of the internet and posts in here these are not popular jukeboxes to restore (and it also seems possibly more difficult to source parts)

So that’s a long preamble to a very sort question: should I buy this jukebox and try, or given the model and the tyranny of distance to NZ is this on the balance of probabilities a recipe for untold frustration, and possibly divorce?

I really don’t know.. and would greatly appreciate your thoughts and wisdom?

Thanks

Ross

[Ron Rich]

Hi Ross,
United was a minor player, for a few years in the jukebox market. The company was actually started by a great gentleman that I worked for ( long after he had sold the company) in San Francisco, CA. Anyway I would dis-courage that purchase, as parts are just about un-obtainable, even here !
Ron Rich

[Ross S]

Thanks Ron

That is what I suspected and it’s really helpful to have that confirmed. Will keep my eyes open for another opportunity.

All the best

Ross