Yeah I vaguely remember someone from JJP going on a under warranty WOZ for sale thread randomly mentioning to perspective buyers that the warranty was only for the original owners and can not be transferred. That did not go well, but they worked it through. The smaller companies have done very well with Pinside presence. Very smart of them to do so and they got rewarded with support and sales. Stern should do it also even if they take it on the chin because it would mean they are trying. JJP should do it too especially because they get a lot of love right now.
On the complaining - I feel a pretty good chunk of the legitimate complaining about Stern is totally getting lost because it is done by folks who don't own any Sterns and will likely never buy a new Stern or used one anyway. Like I have some BW or JJP friends who constantly bad mouth Stern. I never badmouth any of their games I don't really like. It does not make me happy and I feel like I am being rude doing it.
There is some - "well I would buy a new Stern if they do all these things!", but the list seems to go on too long and sorry Stern or anyone else is not dropping their prices $500 or more. If you don't like any of their games made yet like LOTR, TSPP, SM, FG, IM, MET, ACDC, TWD, GB, GOT SW etc then chances are you just will not own a newer Stern and they will not change for you. That's ok. Plenty of other options.
For me, if you complain about BM code, GB ghosted inserts or a cab issue in your game I totally feel for you and hope things get resvolved. If you got burned I get that and you should be annoyed. If you haven't gotten burned, never owned a Stern or just don't like Stern because of their gameplay or attitude and/ or feel you have to complain about them to make yourself feel better about spending a lot of money on a JJP DI or Pirates purchase or think by complaining you are helping save pinball or something that is kind of lame.