Isn't it amazing what people will do for the $100 or $200 in a Megatouch?  

This has been happening a lot more frequently in TN.  Not sure why, but it's aggrivating.  A guy I know used to run all the O'Charleys here in Nashville.  After he had 5 or 6 broken in to, O'Charley's made him yank all his machines.  They were busting these big glass windows to get in, then TRASHING $3,300 EVOs, for ~$150 from the game.  I know of one time when they got less than $20, even though they caused over $5,000 in damage.

I'm sure that breakins have always happened, but maybe it seems worse to me now because of the severity of the damage.  Speaking specifically about Megatouches, the Classic cabinet games could usually be bent back, at least good enough to satisfy the location, and be locked securely.  But the newer games are all made of plastic, and it's a JOKE.  I'm on my 3rd EVO (2 Forces, 1 ION) in the last month that I've had to completley rebuild.  These games are JUNK!  I hate to say it, but if you drop an EVO on the ground, it's over.  And moving everything over to the new shells is awful.  There are soooo many harnesses, screws, etc.  It's a HUGE pain.  

As for securing them, I think you had the right idea.  Use that aircraft cable or whatever, and only give it enough length to spin it.  

The bars insurance should cover their losses, but I doubt they'll cover yours.  You could file a small claims lawsuit, and you'd probably win, but you'd probably lose the location, which would end up costing more in the long run.  What I'd ask them is that instead of them taking their part of the split, you keep their half to replace the game, until you've reached the replacement value.  Then start giving them 50/50 (or whatever you give) again.  A bar in Knoxville actually told an operator I know that he could do that.  He hadn't even asked.  They just offered it!  I think this is more than fair, keeps the location, and allows them a chance to pay it back, without actually costing them anything.  I can't imagine a bar owner who wouldn't agree to that.

Was this "Force" a Radion or an EVO?  Was it salvagable?

D.C.

Game was a Radion - Cabinet was junk but the motherboard and HD survived.  I can't believe after being dropped from the bar and smashed several times that the HD still worked!  I've had BBH HD and Megatouch HD's crap out just after moving them in the van from the shop to the location - yet for some reason this HD still worked! Go figure.