Quoted from kpg:I think they need to appoint the person involved with promoting the BM66 SLE application & website to run the Playfield Replacement Program.
He must be one of the biggest horse's asses on the planet.
Quoted from kpg:I think they need to appoint the person involved with promoting the BM66 SLE application & website to run the Playfield Replacement Program.
He must be one of the biggest horse's asses on the planet.
Quoted from vdojaq:SO well that Gary took on investors? SO well that a new crap edition is $15K?
It is amazing how Stern took in close to a half a million dollars profit just on the mark-up of the 80 BM66SLE which has features that likely did not cost them much more than the LEs to make.
Stern has no reasonable excuse to not replace every defective playfield with all the money they have been raking in from eager customers.
All of this is great but the playfields are not made by Stern right? A playfield swap is very costly. Every playfield they swap probably eliminates any profit from that machine. I would be pissed if I had one with bad clearcoat but really do you think they are going to do anything about this considering they have to eat all of that labor and answer to the investors?
Quoted from nate1981s:All of this is great but the playfields are not made by Stern right? A playfield swap is very costly. Every playfield they swap probably eliminates any profit from that machine. I would be pissed if I had one with bad clearcoat but really do you think they are going to do anything about this considering they have to eat all of that labor and answer to the investors?
It's simple then.. parden my French.. but if they don't, I assure you that unless they hire someone to physically take me out- I'll see to it that someone sues the fuck out of them on our behalf.
Quoted from kpg:It's simple then.. parden my French.. but if they don't, I assure you that unless they hire someone to physically take me out- I'll see to it that someone sues the fuck out of them on our behalf.
This Guy F**ks!!!
Quoted from nate1981s:I would be pissed if I had one with bad clearcoat but really do you think they are going to do anything about this considering they have to eat all of that labor and answer to the investors?
Well that's part of selling products to the public and providing a warranty. So yes, i assume they will fix the issue like they always have.
In Stern's 25 year history, have they ever not followed through in supporting their products? I don't think so
Quoted from nate1981s:All of this is great but the playfields are not made by Stern right? A playfield swap is very costly. Every playfield they swap probably eliminates any profit from that machine. I would be pissed if I had one with bad clearcoat but really do you think they are going to do anything about this considering they have to eat all of that labor and answer to the investors?
That was the gamble by going the cheap route or screwing with who was producing the playfields. I can't fathom clunking down $6g+ and having my clear coat chipping off or raising after 100 plays. I can't see why they didn't greenlight X number of populated playfields ready to ship right from the beginning of this issue. Get 25 out the door, right off the bat, then people know this is actually being handled seriously.
Quoted from o-din:You could look at it from another angle. Some people pay extra to get wood or furniture "distressed". Meaning that it will look older and more vintage than it really is. With these latest Sterns you get just that.
Adds a little character so these 40 and 50 year old themed games look like they may have actually come from that time period.
"It's just patina!"
-Gary Stern
Quoted from kpg:Yeah, right.
Let's see if he's the first person to get a replacement that isn't also defective. There are no reports of a replacement GBLE playfield yet, especially one that isn't also affected by ghosting.
Ummmm - You know that is not true. I have my replacement LE playfield..
Quoted from kermit24:Ummmm - You know that is not true. I have my replacement LE playfield..
Terrific, but why doesn't kpg have his?
Quoted from kpg:It's simple then.. parden my French.. but if they don't, I assure you that unless they hire someone to physically take me out- I'll see to it that someone sues the fuck out of them on our behalf.
Well you do that.
Quoted from Mike_J:Terrific, but why doesn't kpg have his?
Maybe because he isn't up yet. Maybe the queue is moving slowly. Maybe because his online demeanor is so pleasant. I don't know obviously. It is going slow. Too slow for anyone I totally agree. My point is they are replacing playfields. They don't seem to be doing it quickly for whatever reason.
Quoted from kermit24:Ummmm - You know that is not true. I have my replacement LE playfield..
Ok, one guy who says they got a replacement.
I asked you in another thread to post pictures of the GBLE playfield's date stamp and you never did. Any other evidence of a replacement?
Quoted from kpg:Ok, one guy who says they got a replacement.
I asked you in another thread to post pictures of the GBLE playfield's date stamp and you never did. Any other evidence of a replacement? Not calling you a liar... but... well maybe I am, so prove it.
I posted photos of the date stamp in the GB issue thread days ago...
Quoted from kermit24:It is happening.
Ok great, we have 1 person who has received a new playfield.
The rest have heard nothing and are told there is no ETA and the program has been pushed back.
Not sure what criteria they use to determine who gets a playfield, but only one person since their October replacement date is pretty sad.
Quoted from kermit24:It is happening.
Holy crap, a mostly unprotected/unpacked playfield in a box on a pallet? Are they serious? You're lucky it wasn't damaged.
Quoted from Crash:Holy crap, a mostly unprotected/unpacked playfield in a box on a pallet? Are they serious? You're lucky it wasn't damaged.
There were three pieces of foam that I removed before the photo. Yeah it arrived in perfect shape. UPS to Stern (with no pallet!) and they shipped the replacement courier to me on the pallet.
Quoted from Crash:Holy crap, a mostly unprotected/unpacked playfield in a box on a pallet? Are they serious? You're lucky it wasn't damaged.
I want a replacement box for my replacement pf box and a nicer palet.
Quoted from kermit24:There were three pieces of foam that I removed before the photo. Yeah it arrived in perfect shape. UPS to Stern (with no pallet!) and they shipped the replacement courier to me on the pallet.
How long did it take you to swap it out? 10 minutes.
Congrats on getting replacement. Maybe they will all start hitting now
Quoted from iceman44:How long did it take you to swap it out? 10 minutes.
Congrats on getting replacement. Maybe they will all start hitting now
Not long at all - it's only 3 connectors. As long as you have help. Another pinsider suggested I take the legs off (rest the cab on the floor) and it would be easier to lift it into the game. I didn't think to do that at the time.
For those that don't feel comfortable doing their own playfield swaps, I will be happy to offer my services at $500 a pop. Top quality work guaranteed. But you will have to bill the warranty company yourself. Cash only on my end.
OP, never, ever let someone know you're thinking of suing them. Jody already told Gary who CONtacted his Lawyer and is preparing a response.
Quoted from MrBally:OP, never, ever let someone know you're thinking of suing them. Jody already told Gary who CONtacted his Lawyer and is preparing a response.
I don't think it's a big secret at this point.
Quoted from MrBally:OP, never, ever let someone know you're thinking of suing them. Jody already told Gary who CONtacted his Lawyer and is preparing a response.
Amazing - that would mean they have done more to defend themselves against litigation than to actually make it right for their customers - well, for all of them except one guy (Kermit)
I really hope their lawyer gets involved- maybe he'll tell them what debacle they will be in if they don't come through and replace everyone's defective playfields. One customer playfield replaced since they were made aware of it in august 2016 won't cut it.
Quoted from Hasi:if they change our le playfields, will we get a signed one from trudeau back?
i want a perfect le for my collection, not an le/premium mix.
Yes it is signed for sure.
Quoted from kpg:...unless they hire someone to physically take me out...
Well they are a chicago based company
Quoted from cosmokramer:Kermit is not the only one who has received their GBLE replacement playfield...
I was pretty sure I wasn't either. But then someone would ask me to prove it....
Quoted from rvdv:I sold my GBLE without even taking it out
I did the exact same thing.
Sold my GBLE without opening it to fund a THLE.
My THLE NIB experience couldn't have been better and I couldn't be happier with the game.
I was so sad/disappointed by the whole GBLE NIB Stern experience.
Gary also called me prior to the delivery because I had sent an email voicing my concerns regarding the playfields. He seemed genuine on the phone about taking care of his customers but apparently it sounds like he hasn't kept his word
I think the answer as to why they haven't dealt with affected parties in an appropriate manner is plain to see in those photos.
This is going to be extremely expensive. If everyone with pf issues wants one, this is going to easily run into the high hundreds of units, I would have thought. All the small number of GBs that I've seen (Pros and Premiums) have had playfield defects or damage, so maybe it would even reach well over a thousand. Of course, I doubt even 50% will contact Stern about the problems, let alone seek replacement. But still.
Courier return one way, pallet freight back, within the US, is going to cost a lot. Outside the US ... well they're surely going to have to do it via resellers / distributors, which still, will cost an absolute fortune. That's to say nothing of the actual cost of the playfield, parts and labour. What about the retailers in Europe that have replaced entire machines at their own cost already? If replacements are approved, they'll no doubt be getting large invoices and demands for payment from them, if they haven't already.
But I have little sympathy for Stern. They knowingly continued shipping faulty product for many months, and have even had the audacity to use the (faulty) Fun playfields instead of Churchill for some (all?) of the tiny number of replacements so far, with ghosting again occurring within a handful of games.
Also, if they do acquiesce to mass replacements ... what happens to all the used parts on returned, populated playfields? I'd be seriously worried about getting used parts if I were ordering a new machine.
Quoted from cosmokramer:Kermit is not the only one who has received their GBLE replacement playfield...
Ok, who else and will they post it here?
500 GBLE's
Dozens reported here of playfield defects
1 Pinsider showing a replacement, maybe one more.
Doesn't change anything here. Go look at all the comments on the petition stating they haven't heard anything regarding their replacement PF. Many people upset and zero communication. At least one guy has been made whole..
Quoted from kpg:Ok, who else and will they post it here?
500 GBLE's
Dozens reported here of playfield defects
1 Pinside showing a replacement, maybe one more.
Doesn't change anything here. Go look at all the comments on the petition stating they haven't heard anything regarding their replacement PF. Many people upset and zero communication. At least one guy has been made whole..
They are not on pinside, and even if they were I doubt they would post about it...honestly you would probably accuse them of photoshopping the proof...I agree that the situation is shitty and stern needs to step up but I dont know why you think kermit or anyone else would lie about being taken care of if they had been...
The process is happening, just not at the rate anybody had hoped...
First post. I received my 1st ever pin through Amazon a couple weeks ago (Metallica Premium); Nov. 2016 build with no issues so far, 80 games. I have the bug and wanted to order a Ghostbusters Premium, a Batman 66 and possibly a Whoa Nellie to flesh out my living room. Way to kill my pin buzz Stern. Maybe I'll get a Medieval Madness Remake (are these also problematic) and see what happens.
Petition signed.
Quoted from John566:First post. I received my 1st ever pin through Amazon a couple weeks ago (Metallica Premium); Nov. 2016 build with no issues so far, 80 games. I have the bug and wanted to order a Ghostbusters Premium, a Batman 66 and possibly a Whoa Nellie to flesh out my living room. Way to kill my pin buzz Stern. Maybe I'll get a Medieval Madness Remake (are these also problematic) and see what happens.
Petition signed.
The Medieval Madness Remake is produced under a contract manufacturing agreement by Stern. It was the first title to show a mass of QC issues, after assembly was moved from CGC themselves to Stern. I don't think now is a good time to buy new any Stern or Stern-made machines.
Since Attack From Mars Remake (CGC's second remake) is being taken back in house for manufacture, it's possible they may bring MMr back as well.
Bide your time or look at other options. You probably have the bug, but it would be wise to wait.
Quoted from John566:Maybe I'll get a Medieval Madness Remake (are these also problematic) and see what happens.
Several of the playfields posted on this forum look like they came from the same place. Not sure about their replacement program.
Quoted from 1967Firebird:Please let us know who your distributor was they made money off this transaction as well. Where are they in all of this? Let's hold them accountable as well.
distributor - middleman. unless they take the hit on a refund? actually thats the buyers money anyway.. so they really are not out pocket...other than having a returned machine, they obviously cant sell... which then, they can sort out with Stern ? the distributor is the point of sale right? with no liability.
I got my replacement LE playfield a few days ago and it arrived in perfect working order. Stern does what they say they will, even if it takes longer than anyone would like, them included.
Bitching about it here or starting change.org petitions isn't going to accomplish anything. But hey, it's cool to be negative on pinside. It will take time. They will make it right.
Quoted from zucot:I got my replacement LE playfield a few days ago and it arrived in perfect working order. Stern does what they say they will, even if it takes longer than anyone would like, them included.
Bitching about it here or starting change.org petitions isn't going to accomplish anything. But hey, it's cool to be negative on pinside. It will take time. They will make it right.
It's cool to be negative on pinside.. well, must be nice if you got a new playfield and everyone else hasn't - so you aren't in my shoes.
Regardless, glad you got a playfield. That's a whopping 2 people out of how many? Definitely better than none I guess. What is the date stamp on your PF?
Sheesh, this has gotten out of control. They're so bad looking in some cases it makes me suspicious that they're outsourcing their play fields to China. It can't possibly be true, can it? I'd be surprised it that's really the case here but the whole debacle really makes me wonder at times.
Pinball collectors are their own worst enemy:
The ones that are not affected when problems arise will continue to support these companies despite known instances of scams, business
ethics, theft, quality control, integrity, etc.
Don't expect to see any fast results (if ever) until people start speaking with their wallets and saying, "enough is enough!"
"We are still waiting to hear from Stern when they will be replacing your play field. We are hoping to hear from them soon."
Email received from my distributor today. I notified them of problems with my SMVE 7 months ago.
Maybe replacements are coming, but they sure are slow about it.
Quoted from o-din:Be patient. The truck can only carry three at a time.
LMAO! Now *that* was funny...
There's a store that's selling rejected playfields (doesn't state the reason, unless the "mylar is lifting"). Couple metallicas, Couple ghostbusters:
http://coinoppartsetc.com/shop/all?search=playfield
http://coinoppartsetc.com/product/parts-sale-pinball-machine-parts/ghostbusters-premium-pinball-machine-game-playfield-6
http://coinoppartsetc.com/product/parts-sale-pinball-machine-parts/ghostbusters-premium-pinball-machine-game-playfield-5
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