From: Randy Subject: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:33 AM OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting them to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or some other interesting story. Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they told me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last month!!! ARGH!! Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask to speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is that each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take pictures of the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting joysticks, etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the joysticks are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may reach them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with phone number, etc). Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said it is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood at 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has on us! Randy From: Kev Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:43 AM Well I think I could show up with a pile of smashed up junk for a photo op & a few dollars. Shake hands with the smasher guys & go home happy with a load of rescued games. Might also be smart to educate them to the dangers of smashing monitors. Kev mowerman@erols.com PS. This is not that uncommon of a mentality in the business. They are thinking that they don't want anyone using their old equipment to compete against them. I knew a company that would remove coin doors from any game they home saled. From: MIKE SNIDER Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 12:03 PM Randy wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > them > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > some > other interesting story. > > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > told > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > month!!! > ARGH!! > > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > to > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > that > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take pictures > of > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > joysticks, > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > joysticks > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > reach > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with phone > number, etc). > > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said it > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > at > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has on > us! > > Randy > This has been going on for years here in California.......I stop by there about once a month to see if anything has changed, but no such luck. Talked to corporate many times.......they always say the same.....they get destroyed and make the employees that do it take pictures to prove that they are destroyed.....will not change policy. -- Thanks Mike (559) 665-5032 My Home Page for Arcade Games http://www.thegrid.net/snider1/rudedog1/rudedog1.html From: Rob Carroll Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:29 PM Probably for the same reason that Compaq had to destroy all the Gateway computers and montiors when they bought the company I worked at... they need to claim these for some tax thing or other. All I can say is, I'm glad my boss turned a blind eye to the pillaging that went on when we got the news that PERFECTLY GOOD equipment was to be palleted, wrapped, sent to Houston and destroyed. Boy, this text looks clear on this beautiful Gateway CrystalScan17. Tee hee. Too bad about the vids, though... we should try and do something. Rob P.S.-Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! and so on and so forth... NEVER WORK FOR THEM. MIKE SNIDER wrote: > Randy wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... > > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > > > > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > > them > > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > > some > > other interesting story. > > > > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the > control > > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > > told > > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > > month!!! > > ARGH!! > > > > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > > to > > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > > that > > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take > pictures > > of > > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > > joysticks, > > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > > joysticks > > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > > > > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > > reach > > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with > phone > > number, etc). > > > > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said > it > > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > > at > > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > > > > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has > on > > us! > > > > Randy > > > > This has been going on for years here in California.......I stop by there > about once a month to see if anything has changed, but no such luck. Talked > to corporate many times.......they always say the same.....they get > destroyed and make the employees that do it take pictures to prove that they > are destroyed.....will not change policy. > > -- > Thanks Mike > (559) 665-5032 > > My Home Page for Arcade Games > > http://www.thegrid.net/snider1/rudedog1/rudedog1.html From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:00 AM Lets just say for now that I and some outher people "as a groop" are looking into this matter, more to follow in a month or less. On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 22:29:39 -0500, Rob Carroll wrote: >Probably for the same reason that Compaq had to destroy all the Gateway >computers and montiors when they bought the company I worked at... they need to >claim these for some tax thing or other. All I can say is, I'm glad my boss >turned a blind eye to the pillaging that went on when we got the news that >PERFECTLY GOOD equipment was to be palleted, wrapped, sent to Houston and >destroyed. > >Boy, this text looks clear on this beautiful Gateway CrystalScan17. Tee hee. > >Too bad about the vids, though... we should try and do something. > >Rob > >P.S.-Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! >Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq >SUCKS! and so on and so forth... NEVER WORK FOR THEM. > >MIKE SNIDER wrote: > >> Randy wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... >> > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. >> > >> > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and >> > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting >> > them >> > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or >> > some >> > other interesting story. >> > >> > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the >> > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the >> control >> > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they >> > told >> > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last >> > month!!! >> > ARGH!! >> > >> > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , >> > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask >> > to >> > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I >> > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is >> > that >> > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take >> pictures >> > of >> > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting >> > joysticks, >> > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the >> > joysticks >> > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! >> > >> > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I >> > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may >> > reach >> > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: >> > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html >> > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with >> phone >> > number, etc). >> > >> > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said >> it >> > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood >> > at >> > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. >> > >> > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has >> on >> > us! >> > >> > Randy >> > >> >> This has been going on for years here in California.......I stop by there >> about once a month to see if anything has changed, but no such luck. Talked >> to corporate many times.......they always say the same.....they get >> destroyed and make the employees that do it take pictures to prove that they >> are destroyed.....will not change policy. >> >> -- >> Thanks Mike >> (559) 665-5032 >> >> My Home Page for Arcade Games >> >> http://www.thegrid.net/snider1/rudedog1/rudedog1.html > From: william.henke@connects.com Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:20 PM I've never heard of a groop before, does anyone know what one looks like? In article <38ae315e.51730651@nntp.wctel.net>, mboese@wctel.net wrote: > Lets just say for now that I and some outher people "as a groop" are > looking into this matter, more to follow in a month or less. > > On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 22:29:39 -0500, Rob Carroll > wrote: > > >Probably for the same reason that Compaq had to destroy all the Gateway > >computers and montiors when they bought the company I worked at... they need to > >claim these for some tax thing or other. All I can say is, I'm glad my boss > >turned a blind eye to the pillaging that went on when we got the news that > >PERFECTLY GOOD equipment was to be palleted, wrapped, sent to Houston and > >destroyed. > > > >Boy, this text looks clear on this beautiful Gateway CrystalScan17. Tee hee. > > > >Too bad about the vids, though... we should try and do something. > > > >Rob > > > >P.S.-Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! > >Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq SUCKS! Compaq > >SUCKS! and so on and so forth... NEVER WORK FOR THEM. > > > >MIKE SNIDER wrote: > > > >> Randy wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... > >> > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > >> > > >> > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > >> > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > >> > them > >> > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > >> > some > >> > other interesting story. > >> > > >> > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > >> > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the > >> control > >> > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > >> > told > >> > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > >> > month!!! > >> > ARGH!! > >> > > >> > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > >> > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > >> > to > >> > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > >> > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > >> > that > >> > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take > >> pictures > >> > of > >> > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > >> > joysticks, > >> > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > >> > joysticks > >> > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > >> > > >> > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > >> > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > >> > reach > >> > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > >> > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > >> > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with > >> phone > >> > number, etc). > >> > > >> > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said > >> it > >> > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > >> > at > >> > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > >> > > >> > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has > >> on > >> > us! > >> > > >> > Randy > >> > > >> > >> This has been going on for years here in California.......I stop by there > >> about once a month to see if anything has changed, but no such luck. Talked > >> to corporate many times.......they always say the same.....they get > >> destroyed and make the employees that do it take pictures to prove that they > >> are destroyed.....will not change policy. > >> > >> -- > >> Thanks Mike > >> (559) 665-5032 > >> > >> My Home Page for Arcade Games > >> > >> http://www.thegrid.net/snider1/rudedog1/rudedog1.html > > > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.From: Sarge Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 3:05 PM On Sat, 19 Feb 2000, william henke wrote: >I've never heard of a groop before, does anyone know what one looks >like? It's like 'grope', but a different meaning and a different part of speech. I'm going to head to my local Chuck E Cheese's just to convince them that this is morally improper behaviour!!! (The destroying of games, that is!) Thanks to Randy's link, it was easy enough to find my local slaughter house. Snater JohnFrom: Jeff Bovee Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 1:50 PM Yeah, we got the same story when we asked about their old games. The story they told us was that Chucky used to let their employees buy the games dirt cheap but then some manager quit to start his own competing pizza place that just happened to be filled with old Chucky's games. They decided it wasn't a good idea to create a ready source of games for people who might want to start a competing business. I've thought about offering to take care of their game busting as a free service. They save the labor of mashing the games, and I haul away the "pile" of game detritus. I can see that you'd actually have to smash the game down, but I'm sure some good stuff could be rescued, all their games have nice big monitors, and I think I could kill one and hang onto it to photo with every game, in order to save the others. Actually getting a manager to go along with it would be the big trick. From: Megasonx Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 3:26 PM I work as the game tech assistant at a Chucky Cheese. I'm new and don't know all of there rules concerning the games, but I'm going to talk to my manager about this... you can count on it! LinoliumFrom: Jeremie Chaney Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 3:53 PM We have to do something, list of signatures, boycot? Anything? JC Megasonx wrote: > I work as the game tech assistant at a Chucky Cheese. I'm new and don't know > all of there rules concerning the games, but I'm going to talk to my manager > about this... you can count on it! > > Linolium From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 7:52 PM Rest assured, I will be looking in the dumpster and also applying for a job this summer (I get out of High School :) do you tink it is worth driveing 1hr and 15min to work everyday? On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 20:53:19 GMT, Jeremie Chaney wrote: >We have to do something, list of signatures, boycot? Anything? > >JC > >Megasonx wrote: > >> I work as the game tech assistant at a Chucky Cheese. I'm new and don't know >> all of there rules concerning the games, but I'm going to talk to my manager >> about this... you can count on it! >> >> Linolium > From: Matt J. McCullar Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:11 PM Cliff Boese wrote: > > Rest assured, I will be looking in the dumpster and also applying for > a job this summer (I get out of High School :) do you tink it is worth > driveing 1hr and 15min to work everyday? I'm a dumpster-diver, myself. Many ham radio operators are. When I was a kid we neighborhood kids rode our bikes around the parking lot of the local telephone company switching station, and I leafed through their dumpster often. Once I took home a shopping bag full of multicolored, solid wire that they'd thrown away. I'm still using it to this day in my electronics wiring. I forget the exact gauge, but it comes in a couple of dozen colors, is perfect for point-to-point circuitry, and is ideal for use on solderless breadboards! On the other paw, I'm usually reluctant to use semiconductors found in the trash unless I know how they got there. They could be intermittent, mislabeled, or flat-out bad. An entire circuit board, however, can have all kinds of goodies picked from it... Matt J. McCullar Arlington, TXFrom: P L Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:22 PM How stupid. The way to counteract having the games being sold to competing chains is for them to auction the games themselves on an auction site like Ebay and get collector, not wholesale prices for them. What a bunch of idiots. They'd rather see the games smashed instead of getting an avergage of $500-$1000 per for them. From: Curtis Hart Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 9:45 AM My son's soccer coach is an area manager for Chuck E. Cheese and I asked him the same thing. Sure enough, he told me the same thing. They used to sell to employees and/or have wharehouse auctions but changed their policy when they found out employees/buyers would immediately turn around and sell for a profit or create a competing business. Of course, when he informed me about the smashing of games now I was disappointed, to say the least :( -Curtis Hart From: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 6:49 PM Hate to break it to you all, but yes this is the truth. It's always been this way and always will be. You're dealing with corporate mentality here and it's not going to change. Chuck E Cheese doesn't look at their games the way most arcade owners do. They do "upgrades" of sorts where they replace a bunch of machines at once and trash the old machines. They don't just "add" in a new machine as new machines are released. I figure they probably get some bulk deals from the distributors this way. Has anyone ever looked at the prices to play CEC games ? I could never figure out how they only charged 50 cents to play Waverunner, or 1 token to play Daytona 2 or Racing Jam, but I guess at $18 bucks for a pizza they've ripped off their customers enough. Plus, when you figure in all the coupons they hammer the papers with, that token value is a lot less the 25 cents. If this doesn't make sense, don't worry, it never did to me. Bottom line is they seem to see the games as a sort of fixture of sorts for the restaurant. Basically the same as a hand soap dispenser or something. It's there to service the customers. The money comes from the food and parties. Why they can't gather all the old machines together and auction them off is beyond me. Again, we're talking corporate mentality here so you might as well just butt your head against a wall - you'll get better results. I can't post more detail than the above as I unfortunately worked for this outfit for awhile and am probably bound by some nondisclosure agreement I don't remember signing. But believe me, it will never change. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 8:13 PM May I ask one thing, do they send them back to the main office to smash them, or do they do it in the back lot? (if this is true, maby I can help them :) (no not smashing them) On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 18:49:30 -0500, John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> wrote: >Hate to break it to you all, but yes this is the truth. It's always >been this way and always will be. You're dealing with corporate >mentality here and it's not going to change. > >Chuck E Cheese doesn't look at their games the way most arcade >owners do. They do "upgrades" of sorts where they replace a bunch >of machines at once and trash the old machines. They don't just "add" >in a new machine as new machines are released. I figure they probably >get some bulk deals from the distributors this way. > >Has anyone ever looked at the prices to play CEC games ? I could never figure >out how they only charged 50 cents to play Waverunner, or 1 token to play >Daytona 2 or Racing Jam, but I guess at $18 bucks for a pizza they've ripped >off their customers enough. Plus, when you figure in all the coupons they >hammer the papers with, that token value is a lot less the 25 cents. > >If this doesn't make sense, don't worry, it never did to me. Bottom line is >they seem to see the games as a sort of fixture of sorts for the restaurant. >Basically the same as a hand soap dispenser or something. It's there to >service the customers. The money comes from the food and parties. > >Why they can't gather all the old machines together and auction them >off is beyond me. Again, we're talking corporate mentality here so you might as >well just butt your head against a wall - you'll get better results. > >I can't post more detail than the above as I unfortunately worked for this >outfit for awhile and am probably bound by some nondisclosure agreement >I don't remember signing. > >But believe me, it will never change. > > >Anti SPAM In Use ! >Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com >to send E-Mail. From: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 7:48 PM >May I ask one thing, do they send them back to the main office to >smash them, or do they do it in the back lot? >(if this is true, maby I can help them :) >(no not smashing them) They drop off a dumpster at the back door. I don't know if the photo thing is policy, I did not have to submit photos for the machines that I destroyed. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:04 AM DO you know if the manager would consent to you taking the parts if you got permision from the main office? On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 19:48:29 -0500, John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> wrote: >>May I ask one thing, do they send them back to the main office to >>smash them, or do they do it in the back lot? >>(if this is true, maby I can help them :) >>(no not smashing them) > >They drop off a dumpster at the back door. I don't know >if the photo thing is policy, I did not have to submit photos >for the machines that I destroyed. > > >Anti SPAM In Use ! >Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com >to send E-Mail. From: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:16 AM >DO you know if the manager would consent to you taking the parts if >you got permision from the main office? I think I made this clear already. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Sarge Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:35 AM On Sat, 19 Feb 2000, John Dondzila replied to Cliff: >>DO you know if the manager would consent to you taking the parts if >>you got permision from the main office? > >I think I made this clear already. In other words, the Corporate Buttmunchers have a policy which they will not break, so the main office won't give permission, so the manager wouldn't mind it if they did, but they don't, so the manager won't. I think that's a little bit clearer. SargeFrom: Matt J. McCullar Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 7:04 PM I'd never heard of this, but I don't doubt it. I'm not an expert on business by any means but I believe that the bean counters at Chuck E. Cheese are destroying those old games because it helps their tax situation. If their books say that a game has been DESTROYED, then it had better not turn up anywhere else or somebody will get a whole ration of you-know-what over it. If it's destroyed, it can't be stolen or resold (and therefore go into competition with them). Atari's home video game division did this back in the 1980's with the Atari 2600 VCS game "E.T." It was a crappy game and no one wanted to buy it at any price. Atari dumped thousands of these cartridges into a landfill, saying they were defects, but kids who scavenged the dump said the games were playable. When I worked at Six Flags Over Texas, it was common practice to hang on to old equipment for YEARS, even though it was no longer in use. The reason for that, I was told, was to hang on to it until it depreciated enough in value to auction it off. I don't think they really did that with arcade games, because they never got rid of any while I was there. I suppose we could ask who destroys the games for CEC and at least ask for parts. Yeah -- the EPA would love a company that crushes fluorescent bulbs and cathode-ray tubes. Matt J. McCullar Arlington, TXFrom: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 11:35 PM >I suppose we could ask who destroys the games for CEC and at least ask >for parts. Yeah -- the EPA would love a company that crushes >fluorescent bulbs and cathode-ray tubes. how can this be done safely? esp with out ex or implosion? and I wonder if they discharge the games beofre they go smashy smashyFrom: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:17 AM >>I suppose we could ask who destroys the games for CEC and at least ask >>for parts. Yeah -- the EPA would love a company that crushes >>fluorescent bulbs and cathode-ray tubes. > > >how can this be done safely? esp with out ex or implosion? and I >wonder if they discharge the games beofre they go smashy smashy You crack the end of the yoke. Quite safe. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:21 AM good point :) still a waste On Sat, 19 Feb 2000 00:17:26 -0500, John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> wrote: >>>I suppose we could ask who destroys the games for CEC and at least ask >>>for parts. Yeah -- the EPA would love a company that crushes >>>fluorescent bulbs and cathode-ray tubes. >> >> >>how can this be done safely? esp with out ex or implosion? and I >>wonder if they discharge the games beofre they go smashy smashy > >You crack the end of the yoke. Quite safe. > > > >Anti SPAM In Use ! >Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com >to send E-Mail. From: Tim Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:25 PM On Sat, 19 Feb 2000, Matt J. McCullar wrote: > Atari's home video game division did this back in the 1980's with the > Atari 2600 VCS game "E.T." It was a crappy game and no one wanted to > buy it at any price. Atari dumped thousands of these cartridges into a > landfill, saying they were defects, but kids who scavenged the dump said > the games were playable. I had always heard the reasoning for dumping the ET games was because at that point they had only sold something like 4million machines, but had produced like 5million ET carts. Eventually everybody had one, and there was zero chance of anybody buying off the other 1million... (-Tim-)------------------------------------------------------------------- Triumph is ahead - Belief is Essential - Courage is Fuel Fear is Irrelevant - Strength is Within - Weakness is Temporary Pride is Power - Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston'99) From: dgziel Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:37 PM I WOULD NOT PLAY GAMES IN A CHUCK E CHEESE CAUSE OF THIS IT MAKES ME CRY I WILL SAVE THE GAMES I AM ACTUALLY HEADED TO A KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY THERE SOON AND I WILL MAKE SURE I SAY MY PIECE I WILL NOT GIVE MY MONEY TO A COMPANY THAT DOES THIS WITH THEIR GAMES THANK YOU YER FRIEND, SARA PS I DONT CARE HOW NASTY MY ALL CAPS LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Randy wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > them > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > some > other interesting story. > > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > told > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > month!!! > ARGH!! > > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > to > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > that > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take pictures > of > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > joysticks, > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > joysticks > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > reach > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with phone > number, etc). > > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said it > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > at > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has on > us! > > Randy > > > From: Mhooks10 Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 10:22 PM There must be some hope that they will change their policy. I have seen the occasional Chuck E. Cheeses arcade game at auction in the last couple of years. Seems like making the buyer of the games sign a non-competition agreement would take care of their concerns and save the games. Mark From: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:18 AM >There must be some hope that they will change their policy. I have seen the >occasional Chuck E. Cheeses arcade game at auction in the last couple of years. You've probably seen the games sold from the franchise stores that either unloaded them or went out of business. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Cliff Boese Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:19 AM yep, I am going to talk to corporate about this monday, due to what Iam going to talk about, and the matter of the conversation (me not doing it in my way first :) I will inform you guys what happeneds mon or tuesday night. On 19 Feb 2000 03:22:18 GMT, mhooks10@cs.com (Mhooks10) wrote: >There must be some hope that they will change their policy. I have seen the >occasional Chuck E. Cheeses arcade game at auction in the last couple of years. > >Seems like making the buyer of the games sign a non-competition agreement would >take care of their concerns and save the games. > >Mark From: mattg @ netway.com (Matt) Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 18 February, 2000 11:05 PM In article <38ad6652@News.Destek.net>, rci@rcil$ink.com says... > >OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > Even if they didn't want to turn a profit, couldn't they get a tax write off by donating these games? I know that Boys & Girls clubs use them, as well as other non-profit organizations. It would be great if they would sell them to the genral public, but if they are not willing to do that then give the games a fighting chance , rather than murder them. My 2 pennies Matt From: Trey Dembski Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 12:52 AM >Even if they didn't want to turn a profit, couldn't they get a tax write off >by >donating these games? I know that Boys & Girls clubs use them, as well as >other non-profit organizations. While it might pay off in the long run, (showing goodwill by donating machines, thus improving their public image), it doesn't necessarily make sense to donate the machines rather than destroying them. If kids can play Mortal Kombat 19, Cruisin' Universe, or whatever the new games are these days, absolutely for free, they are going to be much less likely to beg their parents to take them to Chuck E Cheese so they can play them. I hate to break it to people here, but businesses aren't stupid and they don't like to throw away money. And no, this isn't directed at anyone, it's just a general statement about how the world works. Chances are, when you hear someone telling you how stupid some company is, that they're basically throwing money away somehow, they really don't understand the situation. In the case of Chuck E Cheese, tax right-offs, not wanting games to get into the hands of the public (see above), and because it's a lot easier to destroy the games than to take them all to auctions; these are all reasons that destroying the games is the most profitable thing for them to do. Arguing about whether or not destroying the games is the right thing to do or not is another issue, but I really doubt them destroying the games is a bad business decision. Trey Dembski "The Wiz" Classic Arcade Games in St. Louis shipped anywhere in the U.S. From: Gandolf Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 1:05 AM On Fri, 18 Feb 2000 10:33:13 -0500, I gasped in horror as "Randy" wrote: > >Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the >games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control >panels, monitors, all of it!!! > > > This is the most sickening thing i've heard in a long time. Geez what a barbaric policy. I'm sure Nolan Bushnell would not approve. Maybe we should get him involved in some sort of boycott campaign. This is bad. Real bad. I'm going to have nightmares about this tonight... DaneilFrom: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 9:56 AM >This is the most sickening thing i've heard in a long time. Geez >what a barbaric policy. I'm sure Nolan Bushnell would not approve. >Maybe we should get him involved in some sort of boycott campaign. >This is bad. Real bad. I'm going to have nightmares about this >tonight... Nolan Bushnell no longer has anything to do with CEC... Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Aard Vaark Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 9:42 AM I've seen a lot of posts in this thread that say the company never will change and that we're dealing with a corporate mentality. This is half right. The corporate mentality part is certainly true-- which means that all they're concerned about is the bottom line. I think a boycott is in order. Many companies have changed policies that angered large numbers of potential customers as a result of boycotts. Affect their bottom line between lost revenue and bad publicity, and they may well change their policy. AV Randy wrote: > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > them > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > some > other interesting story. > > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > told > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > month!!! > ARGH!! > > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > to > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > that > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take pictures > of > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > joysticks, > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > joysticks > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > reach > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with phone > number, etc). > > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said it > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > at > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has on > us! > > Randy From: John Dondzila <*pcjohn@monmouth.com> Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 10:12 AM >corporate mentality part is certainly true-- which means that all they're >concerned about is the bottom line. I think a boycott is in order. Many >companies have changed policies that angered large numbers of potential >customers as a result of boycotts. Affect their bottom line between lost >revenue and bad publicity, and they may well change their policy. CEC is not your local arcade or Fun Center. It's more or less a contained playground/restaurant for 2-10 year olds. The parking lot on a busy day is filled with SUVs. 90% of the people who bring their kids there are women. Now keeping the target audience in mind, who do you think will join this boycott ? I don't think too many in this group quailifies as a CEC customer. In CEC's first few years of operation they quickly ran themselves into the ground. Showbiz pizza bought what was left. They stuck with the CEC image as it was more appealling to the younger crowd. For many years the corporate name was actually Showbiz. They only changed the corporate name to CEC Entertainment a few years ago. I've got to hand it to them, the company's seen it's share of rough rides and for some reason has always pulled through and come out stronger. I can't see them getting too worried about a few game collector's objecting to their game trashing policies. I'm sorry if I seem harsh, but I was a tech manager there for half a year. I did my share of machine trashing with store upgrades and I met a lot of that "corporate mentality". I can promise you: It ain't gonna change. Anti SPAM In Use ! Remove the * from *pcjohn@monmouth.com to send E-Mail.From: Andrew Royal Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 3:14 PM That's awfully strange. I just read a recent interview with the gentleman who started Atari & Chuck E Cheese. He seemed like a nice enough guy, strange he would have this policy, since that would mean that his companies machines would be trashed too. Pretty depressing. Andrew http://home.att.net/~a.royal/ From: Clay Cowgill Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 4:39 PM Andrew Royal wrote in message ... >That's awfully strange. I just read a recent interview with the gentleman >who >started Atari & Chuck E Cheese. He seemed like a nice enough guy, strange >he would have this policy, since that would mean that his companies machines >would be trashed too. Pretty depressing. Bushnell's LONG since left Chuck E Cheese. They're just defending their turf-- no sense selling your used equipment to the competition for cheap. You're better off wasting it. (Kinda like a "scorched earth" policy in war-- destroy everything so the enemy can't use it.) -Clay From: CALMML Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 19 February, 2000 7:27 PM I was a tech with CEC for more than 7 yrs in both Dallas, then Florida. Their main focus in destoying the games was the tax angle. All of the destoyed games had been fully written off their taxes.($0.00 value remaining) To then put the game back on the books and sell it for what would now be a profit would create a paperwork headache they just didn't want to deal with. Some employee attempts to substitute other games pics. in place of the actual game were discovered in '92 & '93. Serveral employees lost their jobs and CEC started having us video tape the entire destruction process-from serial # off the game to the demolition ot the control panels/monitor crt& chassis/cabinet and headers. The game, if it was reported working on the weekly revenue sheets, had to be taped powered up and then destroyed with out turning the camcorder off. On one occasion after major remodeling of most of their Fl. stores (more redemption, less vids) they did have all the games shipped to Houston for auction. It actually cost the company more money than they took in. That was the last time they did that Chuck (no longer Cheese) From: Daniel Hopson Subject: Re: Old Video Games being DESTROYED! Date: 20 February, 2000 6:06 AM excuse me... i need to go out to the garage and hug arkanoid.... (sob) "Randy" wrote in message news:38ad6652@News.Destek.net... > OK.. Here's the sad scoop.. > > Yesterday, I decided to stop by my local "Chuck E Cheese" restaurant and > inquire as to what they do with their old, broken games. I was expecting > them > to tell me that they have to send them back to Texas (the headquarters) or > some > other interesting story. > > Well, in fact the manager informed me that they are required to smash the > games. They remove the PCB and destroy it. They are to destroy the control > panels, monitors, all of it!!! I was shocked. Even worse than that, they > told > me that I just missed a dumpster load of "destroyed" stuff in the last > month!!! > ARGH!! > > Today, I called the headquarters (CEC Entertainment, 4441 W. Airport Fwy , > Irving, TX 75062. The Phone number is 972-258-5413, then press "0" and ask > to > speak to Donna) and asked about the actual policy, just to make sure I > understand this cruel act clearly. She informed me that their policy is > that > each branch MUST destroy the unused games completely, and then take pictures > of > the heap and send the pics to headquarters! I asked about getting > joysticks, > etc for restoration of my games, and she said "...(sic.)...even the > joysticks > are to be destroyed.."!!!! wow! > > Now, I know they have like 300 restaurants throughout the country, and I > encourage you to speak with the company about their nasty policy! You may > reach > them at the above address/phone number or you may find them at: > http://www.chuckecheese.com/flash/pizzaworld/main_locator.html > (this link will tell you where the closest restaurant is to you, with phone > number, etc). > > Now, Donna did mention that there will be an auction coming up. She said it > is some equipment they got from the Discovery Zone. Contact Joe Presswood > at > 1-800-231-0782 for further information about the auction details. > > ARGH!! I hope we can get them to realize how much of an impact this has on > us! > > Randy > > > From: Appolo Subject: Games DESTROYED! - Recycle! Date: 20 February, 2000 9:26 AM This is something I've been thinking about for several months, but I was listening to NPR yesterday and it struck a nerve. The problem they were discussing is that in 2006 when HDTV is the standard, they expect to see millions (230+ million) current TV sets fill the landfills. The problems with this are (among others): - There is significant amount of lead in the glass in the screen - The PCBs (monitor or other) contain lead, mercury, and cadmium I'm by no means a tree hugger, but I do believe that we (Americans) don't recycle nearly enough of our refuse. Germany puts us to shame. Yes, I lived there for 3.5 years. Our trash for a family of 3 was a single paper grocery bag. Everything else was recycled. I know there are several operators in my area who have been smashing and throwing away video games for years. Leaded glass and all. By the truckload to the landfill. Here's what I am proposing... - Let's start a national game recycling program. - We will haul away complete games and parts from any and all operators. For FREE. (Maybe they'll want cash, that's okay too) - We reserve the right to recycle them any way we see fit (part them out, etc.) just so the end result is that the toxic portions of the games DO NOT end up in a landfill somewhere. - In order to get "buy in" from the operators, we would have to sign a contract saying that the games will not be sold to other operators. We will sell only to private companies (mainly tech companies, by the way) who will set the games on free play for their employees or to private individuals who intend to use them for their home use. - One of the main benefits to the operators is that they won't have to put labor into destroying these games. I believe that the main reasons operators will not sell to collectors is that they are afraid the games will be sold to their competitors. Another could be the money issue (accounting nightmare) mentioned formerly. Either way, I believe this will work. The NPR article mentioned a place in PA that recycles the glass from the tubes - both leaded and unleaded. Every other part of a video game is recycle-able (as we all know). Maybe we could hookup with this firm (and others) to recycle badly burned or damaged tubes. I'm willing to devote some web space to this. And some energy into getting this recognized (Replay Mag, etc.). I could also write up the draft contract for the operators that we could bring and sign. I could also contact large chains to be aware of our intentions. Yes, this is a business venture, but not one where we can make much money. It is more an environmental action with a monetary benefit. Besides, most of us do this for the love of the game, right? I'm hoping that we could form some sort of association whereby we all play by the same rules with the same guiding principles. Associates in each area would need to share with others in their areas. I really don't want to get into forming juristdictions or ownership of areas. The idea would be that you would sign a contract with the operators, provide a phone number and they could give you a week's notice to come pick up games. The same model as paper recycling companies use now. Who is interested? Email me. appolo@mediaone.net -- Mike Appolo http://www.appolo.com/arcaderecycle/index.htm