This! Everything else on the LE can be easily replicated by the kick ass mod community we have in pinball. The topper is what makes the LE special.

If the precident is set with the LE topper for CCr being available to everyone, I really hope to see AFM's for sale soon too (bet those owners wouldn't be too happy though).

The marketing material sure makes it seem like the topper is limited to the LE, which is why I worked my butt off to secure one.. Now, I feel like the topper is a "everyone's a winner" trophy screwed to the top of their games.

My deposit is in, so too late to change things now... But, I will certainly think twice in my next CGC LE purchase in the future.. At least Stern has a backglass that is special and some cab art.. etc.. and JJP has gone above and beyond. CGC going forward? I guess we'll see.

Oh well. It's only pinball. And I'm still damn excited for my game. Cheers everyone.

Brian

CGC should be up front and honest with their SE and LE customers about the topper before taking our money.

At least American Pinball didn't hide the fact they were increasing their numbers.

I feel like the new CGC model may look like this....

LE - we build it for you in the factory

SE - you buy the features separately and do the extra assembly work for us at home!!

Brian

This is exactly my point. CGC should say this... They know the answer. But, they won't. They want the LE money in the bank before they make this announcement. They know the other LE features will certainly be replicated for the SE.

Very disappointing.

Why does everyone have to be a winner? I've missed my fair share of games I wanted. It is what it is. I moved on and found one later if I still wanted it. Most times I figured out I didn't really want it after all and got something else instead....

To try and get the quick, guaranteed buck up front from the LE owners.. and then make it up on the SE owners next year with the topper.

I agree, I'd this is the way you are going to do business, make one model. But, this is about the dollar you see. Good will to the buyers seems to be absent.

All they have to do is say yes or no on availability. That's it.

Why does anyone think the LE's sold out so quickly?? The wooden apron?? The cart sculpt? The SHAKER motor?? Nope...

The topper... The brochure said available on the LE. Just like MB and AFM.

The topper created the frenzy. And they knew it would.

Now... starting to look like the quick money grab that we all are getting really used to.

I sort of agree... But, it was Ryan from CGC that said "maybe" they will be available. That's not speculation. That's on video.

If it were just purely the Pinside rumor mill kicking up the dust... I would 100% agree with your post.

It's a forum. And a CCr thread at that. Dude, we are actually staying on topic!!

100% agree with you on the one model approach. And for CGC just be up front with their buyers. I'm not upset about SE buyers getting a shot at the topper. I'm upset that I can't make an informed decision on what to buy with CGC's bullshit line of maybe it will be available. I am buying the LE strictly for the topper. I don't care about a wooden apron.

But, would you feel it's ok for Stern to start selling their LE backglasses to premium buyers?

Like it or not... Its a $9,500 game that is being marketed by the manufacturer as a limited edition. I am not someone that is going to flip the machine. That's not why I jumped in on it. I got the LE strictly because of the topper. If the topper is available for the SE, I'd just go that route. I don't need a collector plate or a wooden apron. Even though they do look pretty cool! If the LE was unlimited and was the only trim level that contained the topper, I'd still get an LE. I don't care about scarcity. I just think it stinks that they aren't up front with what direction either model is going (be it the new code (not Lymans, but what is currently shipped) or the add ons). CGC are the ones that decided to launch at expo and just seem like they were completely unprepared.

Anyone know who this clown is? Didn't Doug_Duba want to know about these distributors? This guy is selling at $11k. Says "authorized reseller?

Screenshot_20211103-174914_Facebook (resized).jpg

Done.

.

There are so many more buyers here than participate in some stupid poll. Trust me...

A little bummed at the decision. But, I guess fair enough. I'm not looking to flip the game, so really it is what it is.

I bought mine from Coin Taker... So, no mirrored backglass for me? What the fuck??

This whole game launch just plain old sucks.

Now it's time to fire up the line on the AFMr LE toppers. I'm in for the $1250 price tag.. where do I sign up....?

Brian

This is simply not true. I'm sure they are also upset. But, it's not just them.

Why? I still want the game. I'm just not thrilled with their decision.

I agree with you. That part sucks. And I don't know a way around it except changing the LE structure completely or scrapping the numbered run and make it limited time instead? I don't know.

But, I had to put in some work to get an LE and it was strictly for the topper. Now, it was all really a complete waste of my time. And I did all of that was because of some of the marketing materials and comments that came directly from distributors and CGC.

It is what it is now. I still want my game. I'm still excited about my game. I'm honestly happy for all the SE+ buyers that get to enjoy the topper now too. But, I can still be pissed at CGC and Rick on the way they handled this.

Do you guys and gals think a timed limited edition release would work? Like a certain amount of hours to order and that's it. Think of CCr for the example with the topper only available on the LE trim. Would the FOMO for the manufacturer to sell enough units disappear?

I know this was kind of a thing with the Deeproot launch bit that's a terrible example.

I feel like this would solve the issue with people flipping the games, bit still create plenty of demand. As long as it's not something like a week long time frame....

In my head this makes a ton of sense for the manufacturers and the collector community... I'm sure I'm missing a hundred loop holes though.

Thoughts?

I guess... But, JJP LE's are ridiculously set at a high number with an unlimited amount of time to buy one...

If the manufacturer limited the purchase window to say, 4 hours... Would that be different?

Probably just create a cluster fuck for the distributors I guess...

I think I still would have gotten it without the Lyman code coming down the road. I have always loved John's art package on CC and the humor in the game and call outs are awesome. It plays just fine. I'm not a great player and have a decent sized collection, so I don't think it would get old.

I need to put topper gate behind me and just focus on why I got it in the first place.

Happy upcoming Monday with daylight savings everyone!!

Yeah. I was very fortunate to get into the hobby early on and build a collection out of route rats. I got those fixed up and kept tweaking my collection. I can't imagine getting into pinball collecting now. It's crazy.

Do you have to order through your distributor? I thought I saw that these are only one per customer?? What makes it different than the mirrored one available to everyone from CPR?

Thanks everyone. I'll check with my dist.

I'm not looking for handouts.. ok maybe I am.. it would sure be nice to give the LE buyers a little spiff for jumping in early (before SE+ ever existed) and having a $1,000 deposit tied up for over a year. With little communication.

But, a less expensive software upgrade or some saloon doors would sure be nice.

And, you know, if it doesn't happen.. I'm still excited for my game and know it will be worth the wait... But, a guy can hope...