Was wondering when the fire would flare back up. Like it or not, there are multiple examples on this forum of PFs from every manufacturer with minor imperfections that have not been warrantied for replacement. CGC is obviously no different and this has been long known, beginning from the MMR insert issues. Again, minor imperfections are nothing new and are typically not warrantied. It includes Stern with minor (some would say moderate) pf cc chipping and color/alignment differences as well as JJP with sending out mylar for PF cc chipping (even when the PF art went with the chip). When Onwallst posted his PF pictures a 40 days ago, based on this history it was fairly obvious that cosmetic and relatively minor imperfections probably were not going result in a replacement. And regardless the post bombing, lawsuit threats and a small Pinside gallery pile-on. Again, just look at the history from all the manufacturers. I've only been around on the forum for a few years and even I know about it. Nothing New.

Take a look at Onwallst's PF and descriptions. Calling it planking was the first potential issue. I had no idea if it was actually planking so I did a quick forum search for the definition of planking... and found it in seconds from a reputable source (Kruzman).

Onwallst's PF looks to be a textbook definition ribbing as per Kruzman's descriptions, not planking fwiw.

How about Onwallst's "strong" beliefs about this issue being from from climate or clearcoat drying issues? Again, from that expert (Kruzman) and other pinside discussions they say that typical post purchase humidity and temps changes are not a factor in ribbing and planking. Some have posted that maybe wild swings in humidity are an issue, but nothing that normal-use post purchase environments entail. So the forum typically does not call this artifact planking, nor is it from climate or clearcoat drying issues as per Onwallst's "strong" beliefs. That's three strikes against this and from the first posts of the entire soap opera. What a waste of time and misplaced extreme umbrage. CGC's PF warranty experience is well known. As the forum has noted many times, if minor imperfections such as these are major problems to you, don't buy NIB pinball machines. It's a bummer, but in the grand scheme of life these pictures are only relatively minor cosmetic imperfections at this time. It's like dimple gate.

Whether people like it or not, these are not substandard games as per the way every big pinball manufacturer has worked and acted up to this day. It's still called commercial equipment, and sold/warrantied as such. People expecting perfection have big time misplaced expectations with pinball machines. That's the buyer's fault. If you want perfection simply don't buy NIB. Vote with your wallet . Maybe the manufacturers should raise prices another 20% to stringently permit only "perfect" components in every way.

And it appears there hasn't been much of a downward price/resale for such games with these minor imperfections. A clean AFMRLE with 100 plays was recently advertised on Pinside and went for $7250. ~$7000 for minor imperfections isn't much of a loss. If one is upset over a $250 loss, even $500-$1000, I'd recommend staying away from pinball machines. The market has been crazy for recent years, but it won't always be that way.

I thought the five year offer of extended warranty was nice. If a machine eventually gets to planking which is the cracking of paint and clear (as per Kruzman), then that's the time to definitely expect a new PF.

The odd post(s) showing minor PF issues are great information. They help remind us there is often no perfection in pinball. Post experiences up and vote with your wallets; trying to raise the bar is always a good thing . The broken record post bombing, lawsuit threats and haters piling on over and over and over are much of what make Pinside such a toxic place.

All this umbrage and drama over visible wood grain. Sigh. It isn't perfect and it's unfortunate, but in the grand scheme of things the ribbing pictures posted are pretty minor and only cosmetic imo. Play and enjoy pinball, don't sweat the small stuff. If a buyer is burned/PO'd by minor imperfections they only have themselves to blame; it's all well known history on the forum and it includes all the major manufacturers. Don't shoot the messenger; I have no skin in the game. I think CGC/PPS makes some great games and it's the same thing with JJP and Stern. People have reported similar experiences with "minor" issues from all the major pinball manufactures (and some potentially not so minor issues). Take it or leave it for what it is, and act accordingly.

Sorry for your bad experience Onwallst.