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Anyone else been following the "War"?

Sam C

Sam C

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Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
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Location
Kettering, UK
Not sure if anyone has been following this but it is an interesting talking point. I don't know who follows the American pinball restoration/restoring business but there are 2 quite prominent parties quite close to each other. TNT Amusements and GRC (Game Room Collectibles).

Channels are here for the uneducated ;)

TNT
GRC

These 2 seem to have been at each other throats quite some time, particularly GRC who seem to bash TNT whatever chance they get (which after a recent video posting is why I unsubscribed from their channel, also their videos are awful in comparison to TNT owner Todd's showmanship). I can't seem to find a lot of information on what sparked this whole thing off however, I'm not sure if it is the proximity of their businesses or something else but you always see it in their videos.

Myself I think GRC do fantastic restoration work but it takes an incredible amount of time and they charge absolute top whack for one of their games, probably because they are a smaller operation and go over every game with a fine tooth comb. TNT on the other hand are amazing because they do a very good restoration job and fixes in a short space of time and don't charge well over the odds for it. I also have a soft spot for Todd as he is a natural host and always has something interesting to say and his videos are usually short, sharp to the point and follow a pattern, whereas GRC ramble on for 20 minutes or so pretty much about nothing and sound bored the entire time. None of them seem to have any charisma in front of the camera.

Personally I will keep watching Todd's videos because they are regular, it is a range of items (not just pins) and he is a far more interesting host and the team are also more interesting. Like I say I am not sure if anyone else has come across this 'war' but it is certainly interesting. Anyone fancy chiming in? I'd be interested to know what sparked this whole thing off myself.
 
Have watched a fair few of the TNT videos and don't mind them at all (gotta love Wallace too, he's the man!). Watched a couple of GRC ones and noticed the little snarky remarks they make about TNT which just seems a little bit petty and childish to me. In business, the best way to beat the 'competition' is to ignore them.
 
Same here, I think I watched one video ages ago where Todd said 1 thing very briefly about GRC and that was it, he has never mentioned it again. GRC on the other hand seem to take every chance they can to take a shot at TNT. I saw a video where they did up a JY and renamed the dogs collar to say "TNT". Their most recent video "Expert Pinball Buying/Selling/Service Advice" was basically 7 minutes of "Don't buy from TNT" even though they never mentioned the name it was very obvious they were talking about them. In this one particular instance it was because a lady had an STTNG and tried to sell it to TNT but got a bit of a rude response, I chalk it down to the fact that TNT is a large business compared to GRC's small operation so the chance of this happening is much higher, and who hasn't had a snarky/rude response from a business once in a while? It happens.
 
Ooh... those GRC videos are painful to watch. Some of them are just... well... odd. Like talking whilst driving along in their van. And definite undertones of sniping at competitors. Some of the technical vids are a bit random too. TNTs vids are packed with info! I've watched this video again and again to learn the rules for my VECTOR:

 
I love the TNT videos, always interesting and enthusiastic. Not overly familiar with the GRC guys, they sound kinda... catty though.
 
A company should trade on it's own merits, not pull others down to their level.

TNT - i am a YouTube subscriber already. It's easy viewing, light hearted, Todd's a good front man and seems to have genuinely fond memories of most games. Feel informed and/or entertained after most videos. I don't care if they do great/crap work as I'll never buy anything from them.

GRC - Wasn't subscribed and after watching a couple of videos i'm still not subscribed. I'll never buy anything from them.
 
Plus 1 for TNT. Love those vids. Corny as hell but who cares.

GRC!! Well I don't think I've ever watched a vid in its entirety. Condescending and smug. Chat **** all day. Not very entertaining.
 
TNT for the win! I love the 'cigarette holder' intros! Gets me everytime. Todd is a ****ing hero.

GRC really annoy me for many reasons. But the main one is that they use the 2 girls to front a lot of their stuff because they assume that us pinball nerds are all such ****ing saddos that we've never seen a female before and we will just totally lose it. Seriously though, it's all a bit much. They prace around in front of the camera like they are a couple of super models and that we are all obviously madly in love with them.
Girls!!!!!! Actual Girls!!! Playing pinball! OMG! Quick! Fetch me my level 9 Dungeon Master costume. etc etc.....




Just saying.
 
Last edited:
Fintan Stack said:
TNT for the win! I love the 'cigarette holder' intros! Gets me everytime. Todd is a ****ing hero.

GRC really annoy me for many reasons. But the main one is that they use the 2 girls to front a lot of there stuff because they assume that us pinball nerds are all such ****ing saddos that we've never seen a female before and we will just totally lose it. Seriously though, it's all a bit much. They prace around in front of the camera like they are a couple of super models and that we are all obviously madly in love with them.
Girls!!!!!! Actual Girls!!! Playing pinball! OMG! Quick! Fetch me my level 9 Dungeon Master costume. etc etc.....




Just saying.
Click to expand...

Level 9!? You ****ing hero. That's nearly 10.
 
The girl in the top GRC intro video on their channel home page is very irritating. She seems to be rather drunk. Totally set the wrong atmosphere for getting my attention to watch their pinball stuff. Todd N. Tuckey is way more interesting. His business seems more to do with keeping operators running as well as selling privately so most of the stuff isn't high-end restoration, just work-a-day service and maintenance. Far more practical and useful.

Did anyone spot the "Y" and "Z" drawn with Sharpie marker on the VECTOR drop targets? ;)
 
I have seen a lot of Todd videos and they are a little cheesy I can watch them for a while.
I had to follow the GRC link as I have never seen any of their stuff and that girl appears stoned. Not sure why they feel that conversation needs to be initiated by a voice behind the camera trying to wind people up. Also not sure why they are using their female staff in that way, by all means have woman who are attractive to host things but they seem to be flaunting it just a little. But then a lot of men are dumb and it might help them part with their money. ;)
 
Most American pin restorers think they are the second coming of pinjesus and will go out their way to let you know it. Ego's as big as houses I tells ya.

That said, the entertainment value of their laughable characters has me gobbling up those tnt vids like smarties. :rofl:
 
Well I watched the latest TNT video featuring Rollergames this morning and the music is now well and truely wedged in my head, refusing to leave! :rofl:
 
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