You haven't been to my place yet

rd

Heres my application, anyone think i'll get picked? I sure hope they will take my money

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And/or there are plenty of haters that are just pissed that they can't afford or simply won't pay that much for a pinball machine

Bottom line is plenty of people are willing to pay up for the LE and "super collectible" or whatever the heck it is.

I'm one of them for the right pin like Batman66

Stern has got it right. Satisfying all segments of the market

The whiners and complainers will always be out in force no matter what they do

Honestly you are right iceman. I bet they will easily sell those 30 machines too. I just have to laugh that they are actually doing it, straight up copying the Ford GT program. At least Ford revealed the design and details prior to releasing the application, thats the funniest thing about this. It's kind of a joke really.

So you put it on location in someone's house. The person you flipped it to. They pay you 30k with option to buy after 18 months.

Flippers suck but that contract clause is pointless.

haha. Imagine if someone paid $30K for a pinball machine. Hilarious these numbers are being tossed around before anyone has seen pics or played this thing.

well clearly the application is not the actual contract :p How effective it is all depends on how good your lawyers are.

What do you think that HEP King Kong is worth?

There are games I'm sure people have put that kind of money into...

Yeah but that game has been around almost 30 years and people know what they are getting and playing, and pricing is based on how great the restoration and condition is. My point was the numbers being tossed around here is outrageous considering the only thing we know is the theme and its a new machine from Stern. So games are now valued solely on how 'limited' they are, and how new of a Stern release it is? Crazy talk

It would seem that Stern is doing both invitations and now the contest.

For the record, I requested and my name was submitted well over two weeks ago for the SLE. Long before this contest announcement.

I'm waiting for final approval but the two top dogs at Stern have personally told me my chances are very good. I'm on this list because I got off my ass behind the scenes and put some energy into it. Meanwhile, I watched as everyone else sat on Pinside bitching about exclusivity and bad marketing policy.

Now comes an opportunity from Stern for people to fill out an application and get in on something they thought wasn't possible. It wasn't long ago many people were complaining how only exclusive people would get in on the deal and how unfair that was.

If you want to pass on this opportunity, that's fine whatever your reasons are.
Sounds to me like a lot of people would rather continue to sit on Pinside and bitch. That means chances will improve for those making an effort as the field has been narrowed.

Reminds me of the guy sitting in a dark room complaining about the darkness. Someone suggests he turn on a light and he say's "Nah, I'd rather complain about the dark".

You can make your own good luck once you know how.

Anyone expecting to make a "special people club" and not desiring to antagonize anyone is an idiot. Anyone expecting to make a "special RICH PEOPLE club" and not desiring to antagonize anyone might actually be braindead. =P

*EdiT* I want to know what they could POSSIBLY put on this thing to make it worth the money and effort, short of legit gold trim and diamonds. Because if they have some kind of gameplay code/playfield mechanics difference, then what was the point of buying the LE or Premium anyways?

Out of curiosity, given you have never seen or played the machine, what is the desire and driving factor wanting to own the Super Ultimate Limited Edition of this theme? I am not trying to make fun or anything, I am just looking for an honest explanation. Thanks

I like that you used the word contest. Who is to say stern is going to charge the winner of this contest. Maybe they will just charge tax for winning the contest. Is stern going to charge the other non regular people who gets one? I doubt it. Hey you are our best distributor, take this 30 anniversary gift from us, and oh by the way pay us $15000.

How many King Kongs are there...8? There will be 240 B66 LE & as many Premiums as they can sell. Quite a difference. Legit rarity Vs. Manufactured rarity.

That's exactly why King Kong is worth so much. Because its a special game in the history of the company, never got made, limited availability. The game sucks.. its not even complete mechanically! Someone spent the money with HEP to rebuild and perfect the game's cosmetics and try to bridge those gaps.. it was never going to make the game a good game. The game has value because of its significance and rarity... not because of the game itself. No one buys a King Kong because they want an awesome player. Just like people that buy whitewoods, wizard blocks prototypes, etc.

A game like this will hold its own significance and probably value from that... regardless of it's play value. That's what I'm saying.

- People dumping 3-5x more into some games than others? Check
- People dumping crazy money into games that aren't even good games? Check
- People desiring historically significant or special run games? Check

This is not rocket science. Its simple history and acknowledging that people buy games for more than playing them.

Heck, for those that only live in the pinside bubble.. all one needs to do is look back at the JPOP issue where people threw 16k at JPOP (some, even more) for a game that any common sense knew he could never build as a business.. and was nothing but a wet dream. Yet people threw money at him even with crazy hoops like NDAs, etc. When one accepts that reality as true.. none of this should be shocking when Stern opens up to make a boutique run of something.

I spoke to the three top dogs (including Adam), this is what I was told.

Brad

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so you missed out on an le? get a premium save 1000.00. besides everyone i talk to that bought a premium stern always likes the art package better than the le.

sle ? get the premium save thousands.

no big deal.
30 of you lucky guys can brag about being top dog for a few months until the next toy comes out.

The point was not if you think the value is worth it... but that there are people that will spend tens of thousands on games... regardless of if its a 'good game'.

These pieces are not valued as players.. they are valued as significant and difficult to come by. People will throw money at Stern to have that same opportunity.

The problem is when someone tries to apply THEIR buying philosophy to everyone universally and then asks dumbfounded when they see other people behaving differently from them.

My video is uploading to YouTube. I'll share it here and see if you guys think it will get me picked.

There will be only 30 machines made. It's a very nostalgic theme. I expect there will be enough buyers lined up to sell out regardless of the price. Even if it turns out bad it might still hold its value. If it turns out good the price may skyrocket.

I think Stern is finally embracing the "collector" mentality of many pinball enthusiasts.

I understand your curiosity but my reasons are many and private. And the last thing I want is the peanut gallery gnawing my answer to the bone with opinion vs opinion.

Also, I haven't paid a dime yet and I may back out if I don't like what I see. (something tells me this game is going to be special and I'll stay in)
Right now I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I see, basically calling "dibs" and waiting to see what shakes out.

Here it is!

This is the way its has always been when buying a NIB game from Stern. More importantly, I'm operating fairly under the rules and conditions Stern has laid out.

Great video. I hope you win !

LTG : )

Sure, 30 with different stickers, bling, and a piece of paper that says 1 of 30....but with 240 LE and Premiums, in reality there will be 1000's of B66 made since all models will feature the same gameplay and features.

Finally? You mean they haven't been doing that already with LEs all these years?

oh shit

Back the fuck off, rabble rousers!

We still have to send in $5k deposit on the Sle..but like they said the 30 they don't expect any of those 30 to ever sell never mind back out

Love it. I am waiting for Hitler to apply......

That's going to be a fun conversation.... but honey I "won" this pinball machine, now I have to buy it! Lol. From now on I am only going to "win" machines and not buy them....

the market, supply, demand and simple economics make them a big deal

Just so I understand.....

In return for the privilege of applying for this game, you give Stern a bunch of customer testimonials that they can use as they see fit?

Just submitted my application, can't wait to win a FREE pin!

You mean like all the youtube videos, pinside posts, and other stuff people freely volunteer.. and now we might be concerned Stern might use something in an official way... from people willing to spend tens of thousands on Stern product?

I am sure the new level of concern is reaching critical levels...

Well done!

If this is Stern's idea of a willy wonka contest, they're doing it wrong

Can I ask what your limit is ? 10k 15k 20k? or Stern can charge you what ever because you don't want to lose your deposit?

That application is hilarious KPG

The application is a brilliant move by Stern, they will have a data base and "indication of interests" for future super duper LE's buyers!

Look at freaking Jpop's MG for crying out loud. This Batman Super duper LE is a f ing steal by comparison!!!

How people want blow/spend their money is up to them.

If i have a client that is a degenerate gambler and have to wire Seven figures to casinos for gambling losses, from his account, then I have to wonder, is that a totally f ed up thing? Seems crazy to me, not to him because it makes him happy and he can afford it.

I used to watch guys over 35 pay $15k to play in Michael Jordan's fantasy camp every year. To me, what a waste of $$, to those guys, it was the time of their lives.

At least with a pinball machine, no matter what it costs, you have something tangible forever, no?

Love your video good luck with the drawing

Hi I would like to buy a pinball machine.

Here, Fill out this application.

WTH?! is going on here!

I heard Gary Stern was going to send Ben Heck to my house to build the SLE.

I accidently got my Schnucks bag-boy application and my BM66 application mixed up. Good news is I just got hired to bag up all the inserts at Stern.

How come there's no Hitler bunker video yet? This fiasco is ripe for one lol ....

Stern's contest jump the shark moment.
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Well, that was quick.

Already got my response back from Stern regarding my application for BM66

-moderator removed: "While your humor is appreciated (and welcome on the site), the vulgarities are not. You are welcome to re-post your joke without the profanity. Thanks."-

disqualified!

Best hyperbole EVER!

Maybe if more collectors spoke with their *wallets* instead of posting on Facebook, they would listen!

The 'I'm not going to buy another Stern' threads are old and pointless!

Ghosting playfield issues have not been resolved but yet the anonymous Batman 66 is already sold out.

Anger and dissatisfaction in this hobby only lasts long enough until the next "grail pin" is announced.

SMMFH

Honestly Stern is going to replace my ghosted playfield and they are making it right. After personally speaking with Gary multiple times, I'm stoked they are really attempting to make it right.

My comment you quoted was specifically regarding whomever deletes and censors customers comments on their social media pages and accounts. Non-transparency in today's social media age is complete BS. I like Gary and am not at all upset with Stern anymore, but they really need to have a sit down talk with their social media guy and tell him censoring comments actually hurts the online image of Stern, and does not help.

People want to see responses showing Stern cares about customers complaints and issues, not that they attempt to mute and block/censor their customers who spend a lot of money on their products.

I got blocked for asking to confirm a rumor about Ghostbusters, a game I was interested in buying and did end up purchasing. Now that's some bullshit right there. That's the point, and that is why many people have complaints here about how they administer their online presence.