(Topic ID: 25595)
San Diego, CA
Quoted from Cobray:No one will tell you because the dealers have "price fixed" the market so there is no competition, and if someone goes lower than that price and another dealer finds out the will call stern and whine about it.
I'm pretty sure that none of what you just said is true.
Quoted from gweempose:I'm pretty sure that none of what you just said is true.
Unfortunately based on some of my conversations with people whose names will remain anonymous I think there is actually some truth to it.
I always thought the distributors weren't allowed to advertise below MSRP, but they could sell it for whatever they want. Are you guys saying this is some kind of secret agreement between the distributors?
It could also be that some distributors want you to believe nobody will go below a certain price...
Just guessing. I was under the impression dealers could sell for whatever they want, they just can't advertise below a certain price.
Quoted from RobT:Unfortunately based on some of my conversations with people whose names will remain anonymous I think there is actually some truth to it.
Quoted from gweempose:I always thought the distributors weren't allowed to advertise below MSRP, but they could sell it for whatever they want. Are you guys saying this is some kind of secret agreement between the distributors?
Nope, I'm not saying that there is any agreement.
But that last part of what he said has some truth to it.
Quoted from RobT:Unfortunately based on some of my conversations with people whose names will remain anonymous I think there is actually some truth to it.
I don't think so. Stern sells to the dealer at a set price. Dealers that sell bow msrp may not be allowed to advertise this. But because there is only so much room for mark up and drop shipping from stern is discounted, there is only so much variation in prices possible.
Quoted from markmon:I don't think so. Stern sells to the dealer at a set price. Dealers that sell bow msrp may not be allowed to advertise this. But because there is only so much room for mark up and drop shipping from stern is discounted, there is only so much variation in prices possible.
Exactly, I don't disagree with that at all.
Like I said, I'm not saying that there is any agreement. But I am saying that there is some truth to the last part of what Cobray said.
I've heard from two very reliable sources (dealers) that Stern has sent letters out that while dealers can sell below MSRP, they are not allowed to sell at less than a set price for each machine, and that dealers would risk their distributorship if they did.
As such, dealers will only deal with people/customers they know very well, as they are concerned that someone (another dealer or person) that will report them to Stern to have them "punished". They will also tell their good customers that they sell at to "below the set price" not to tell anyone what they sold the machine for (so it doesn't get back to Stern).
I know it all sounds crazy, but it's the truth. I couldn't make this crap up if I wanted to.
Does anyone have an approx price? I am not close to buying one right now, but wondering how much I need to save.
Quoted from Cobray:I've heard from two very reliable sources (dealers) that Stern has sent letters out that while dealers can sell below MSRP, they are not allowed to sell at less than a set price for each machine, and that dealers would risk their distributorship if they did.
As such, dealers will only deal with people/customers they know very well, as they are concerned that someone (another dealer or person) that will report them to Stern to have them "punished". They will also tell their good customers that they sell at to "below the set price" not to tell anyone what they sold the machine for (so it doesn't get back to Stern).
I know it all sounds crazy, but it's the truth. I couldn't make this crap up if I wanted to.
I can tell you I have not seen such a letter.
Coincidentally, I'm (and even more so, my girlfriend is) interested in one of these too. Where did you end up purchasing from, marspinball? Gexchange, are you selling any? If so can you PM me a price when you get a chance? Thanks a lot. From those that purchased from FF, did you pay the aforementioned ~$6500.
Quoted from PW79:I know a dude who paid $5700
Wow. I'd so buy one there. The pro face has killed the pin for me. And I'm a huge ac dc fan.
Werribee
Quoted from PW79:To be fair that was a preorder price.
Want to really shit a brick, I know a dude who bought a TronLE NIB for $5800.
He overpaid. 
Seriously, I know someone who paid less than that.
Quoted from PW79:To be fair that was a preorder price.
Want to really shit a brick, I know a dude who bought a TronLE NIB for $5800.
That's what they sold for +/- a few hundred when they were first released, so that's not a big deal.
Quoted from DirtyDeeds:Not I. Have you tried the black market? Do you mind if it's painted black?
Huh?
Quoted from Khabbi:That's what they sold for +/- a few hundred when they were first released, so that's not a big deal.
Quoted from RobT:He overpaid.
Seriously, I know someone who paid less than that.
I hate you guys lol
Hook me up
Quoted from RobT:He overpaid.
Seriously, I know someone who paid less than that.
I do too....
Ac dc is one of my favorite bands. At least the Bon Scott years. I want this pin so bad but only wish there wasn't such a difference with the pro. I don't think I could ever spend more than 5k on a toy.
Quoted from DirtyDeeds:I think its got everything except a shaker, laser cut rails, badge, signatures, clear play field
What do you mean by this? My premium has a clear lower playfield window-did the LE's and BIB get an extra coat of clear?
Quoted from dmesserly:6k+shipping is all over. Maybe a little looking will find it better but these are selling well.
All the stuff about letters and such for selling under list is true.
Try to get someone to put a quote in writing and you will see.
Now call a dist. tell them your serious and ask shipped price...then you'll get a quote.
Ask others that have bought and get you'll find the deal.
I would not pay over 6k shipped at this point based on what others have paid (that I can confirm).
Quoted from Ninefingers:What do you mean by this? My premium has a clear lower playfield window-did the LE's and BIB get an extra coat of clear?
Yep. Unless your really MUST have an LE, the Premium gives you just about all the bells and whistles at an extremely good price.
The shaker can be had for a few hundred bucks. These are hot pins right now. If you are thinking about it, now may be the time to jump before they are all gone.
Quoted from Ninefingers:What do you mean by this? My premium has a clear lower playfield window-did the LE's and BIB get an extra coat of clear?
I meant 'cloudy lower playfield' (sorry, I'd been down the pub)
Quoted from Spankey:Yep. Unless your really MUST have an LE, the Premium gives you just about all the bells and whistles at an extremely good price.
The shaker can be had for a few hundred bucks. These are hot pins right now. If you are thinking about it, now may be the time to jump before they are all gone.
AC/DC Premium is awesome. No doubt about it. However, I wouldn't say that it is an "extremely good price". Current Stern premiums are regular Sterns of 3 or 4 years ago in terms of "stuff" on them and for a whole lot less dough.
Quoted from flipperfingers:AC/DC Premium is awesome. No doubt about it. However, I wouldn't say that it is an "extremely good price". Current Stern premiums are regular Sterns of 3 or 4 years ago in terms of "stuff" on them and for a whole lot less dough.
You understand everything 3 or 4 years ago was cheaper due to a little thing called inflation. I don't necessarily agree that Sterns 3 or 4 years ago had as much "stuff" as AC/DC Premium either. The thing is absolutely jammed packed with features. Look at it side by side next to SM, IM, BDK, TRS, etc, absolutely no comparison feature wise.
Quoted from jhoward1082:You understand everything 3 or 4 years ago was cheaper due to a little thing called inflation. I don't necessarily agree that Sterns 3 or 4 years ago had as much "stuff" as AC/DC Premium either. The thing is absolutely jammed packed with features.
Agreed. My xmen le has a heck of a lot more features than Family Guy did. Not even close really.
Quoted from jhoward1082:You understand everything 3 or 4 years ago was cheaper due to a little thing called inflation. I don't necessarily agree that Sterns 3 or 4 years ago had as much "stuff" as AC/DC Premium either. The thing is absolutely jammed packed with features. Look at it side by side next to SM, IM, BDK, TRS, etc, absolutely no comparison feature wise.
If you're going to try to be a condescending jerk, at least have your facts straight. Sub $4000 to $6000 in 3 years is a heck of an inflation rate considering that the national inflation rate has been around 1-2%/yr. over the last few years.
Let's start with a $4000 base. After 4 years at a 2% inflation rate, the pinball should be $4330. A $6000 pinball is almost 40% more than a $4330. You honestly think that it's THAT much better?
Quoted from flipperfingers:If you're going to try to be a condescending jerk, at least have your facts straight. Sub $4000 to $6000 in 3 years is a heck of an inflation rate considering that the national inflation rate has been around 1-2%/yr. over the last few years.
Let's start with a $4000 base. After 4 years at a 2% inflation rate, the pinball should be $4330. A $6000 pinball is almost 40% more than a $4330. You honestly think that it's THAT much better?
I will say we all know the inflation rate is far higher than what the government tells us it is. I would say the real inflation rate is closer to 8 percent when you take in energy and food. Your point is still valid even at the higher numbers though.
Quoted from flipperfingers:If you're going to try to be a condescending jerk, at least have your facts straight. Sub $4000 to $6000 in 3 years is a heck of an inflation rate considering that the national inflation rate has been around 1-2%/yr. over the last few years.
Let's start with a $4000 base. After 4 years at a 2% inflation rate, the pinball should be $4330. A $6000 pinball is almost 40% more than a $4330. You honestly think that it's THAT much better?
That's not the whole story. Stern was u see a lot of pressure to keep their prices flat. So rather than increasing prices they were cheapening the product bit keeping the prices flat. The inflation starts around the year 2000 and moves to now. If you track it that way them $6000 for a full featured machine is not a bad price.
As for acdc being loaded with features, it is. As for it being more loaded than spiderman or bdk, I'm not so sure I agree here. It's more modernized sure. But not more feature packed.
Quoted from flipperfingers:If you're going to try to be a condescending jerk, at least have your facts straight. Sub $4000 to $6000 in 3 years is a heck of an inflation rate considering that the national inflation rate has been around 1-2%/yr. over the last few years.
Let's start with a $4000 base. After 4 years at a 2% inflation rate, the pinball should be $4330. A $6000 pinball is almost 40% more than a $4330. You honestly think that it's THAT much better?
Honestly I was going to type out a long winded response but I really don't care that much. No offense was intended and I apologize if my tone came off as condescending. I was simply making the point that things, over time, rise in price.
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