People wont ignore it, they will keep buying it for the most part. If its a theme they really like they will buy it no matter what and hope they get a playfield that meets there quality standards and if it doesn't they will look beyond that because of the theme. 99% of the people that get a new playfield from Stern to replace there "bad" one will never install it anyways. I honestly don't see Stern doing anything about it, other then hoping there next batch of playfields is better but there are some things you cant control 100% all the time. All sad but true.

John

Petition signed. I'm mainly an EM guy, however, I purchased a NIB AC/DC premium in 2012. My first NIB. Love it, rock solid,well built! What happened to build quality since then? I would like to purchase a NIB Metallica. I won't till this problem is resolved period! I don't get Stern, don't you think their sales would soar if they solved/communicated the problem ASAP ? Seems like a real simple solution here. Many waiting since October, not cool. I'm voting with my wallet too. Jon

Does anyone have an idea how many playfields need to be addressed? Also what games need attention?

The distributor is supposed to help the coustomer that is who we are buying it from. That is why I love Costco I buy a product from them and if I have an issue I don't call the manufacturer I go to Costco. I just think the distributor should have a bigger part. I wonder if you bought local and took it back to them what they would do and if they would have to return it?

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.

Here's a little evidence in sterns defense. I've personally had nothing but good luck with stern but I also route and play my games, not just look for flaws.

My Star Trek pro with nearly 15,000 plays.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-star-trek-with-4938-plays-pics

Neat wall-hangers...

KPG, I signed as well. Hope they get you guys squared away soon.

March .... tons of the first lot of SMVEs were really bad. But there were sporadic and increasing numbers of issues before that.

Yes, everyone who noticed that their playfield inserts on GOT/SMVE/GB have ghosting don't play their machines and only look for flaws.

If only they were real pinball fans, like you!

I've got a ghosting playfield.

I've reported the problem.

But since it looks like playfields are still shipping with problems, I'm in no hurry to get a repeat performance.

As soon as I see that they are making good playfields again, THEN I'll take my replacement.

Don't hold your breath.

John

Signed

lol, I'm not in any hurry.

I can keep putting wear and tear on the ghosted one.

Once Stern figures out the problem (the clear?? the insert plastic formula?? the insert glue??) I'll be ready to do a single swap.

And when that time comes they will sell you one for a discounted price of $700

Everybody needs to take a breath. Take a step back and avoid going into full blown hysteria.

The communication is terrible but nobody has ever come up with a time that Stern didn't stand behind their products. Ever.

Things will get resolved, maybe not on the timeline some people want but Vid has the right idea, a little bit of patience.

I'm not referring to your situation. I'd be dealing with them privately now at this point though.

I don't see you getting anywhere other than the back of the line by the constant pounding

Kpg, I don't get the whole distro thing and Trent.

He is supposed to facilitate you getting the problem resolved. He sounds about worthless.

I can't even imagine JJ throwing out that line of BS

First time for everything, and here we are. If they keep stringing people along for another year are you still going to say you're confident they will eventually make them whole?

I've been trying to get Stern to replace my defective Metallica playfield for over a year and now I got a defective GB playfield as well. I have had no luck with my continued claims through my distributor. So I now refuse to buy a new Stern,or do business with that distributor until these issues are fixed. I hope your movement helps all of us.

Least that proves one thing Jody does read these forums to see what we are all saying and can get off his ass and act when he wants to, shame he cant do the same when everyone is asking where promised code is? or where playfields are? its amazing how a simple two minute update with a little information informing buyers what is what can calm a situation and ease concerned buyers and customers compared to radio silence or stay tuned.

If you read between the lines of any and all of the complaints aimed at Stern all anyone seems to want from them is a little open communication, when you have PR guy sitting on Facebook surely that's not asking too much at 6, 8, 10k a pop, its what social media PR is for to be "social" with your customers

That's silly.

I'm not losing a single second of sleep thinking about it.

In the meantime, the ghosting is not stopping me and my friends from playing and enjoying the game one bit.

Benson, Shafer, Brady and for those overseas; Lowen and Bally Wulff. Those are big distributors.

Nothing against them, but they are nowhere near the size of the ones that cater to the route operators.

What I do appreciate very much is the petition to Stern as a consolidated expression of our frustrations. That's a good thing

Legally, this is going nowhere. Mark my words.

Most likely not however if it even deters half of the buyers now from pre orders or buying a nib unproven machine from them now, they will feel that for sure in the pocket.

However the same way folks banded together and signed the petition they must do the same with their wallets and keep it closed. Strength in numbers or in this case not giving the numbers so easily.

I am sure you're right, but if it helps kpg get his playfield and serves to piss off the imbecile who came up with the idea to submit a video for a Batman66 SLE, I'm happy.

I signed the petition. My BM66LE is shipping Friday.

I understand and am willing to assume the risks

I want everybody to get taken care of properly.

Im gonna send my le playfeild to stern and bite the bullet on shipping$ Inside will be a letter stating please replace my playfeild no hard feelings

100% agree there is a potential case IF they don't address it properly.

The fact is, even though I know very little about consumer protection I guarantee Stern has documented every step they have taken towards a remedy. They are well within reasonable time frames to determine the problem and provide a remedy under the law

The communication part is terrible. Not sure why they want to intentionally shoot themselves in the foot

kpg,

Have you contacted these guys yet -

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/filecomplaint.html

Hey, I know that guy. And I know for a fact that it is 100% true. He doesn't want to sign the petition because both Stern and his distributor know about it. And after waiting 6 months to get the first one replaced, he decided to speak with his wallet. His name is DaveH.

why is this LOL? It wouldn't be so funny if you spent 7k+ and got a shit pf. How about a little respect for others that are getting taken by stern. seriously - wtf.

OP I will happily sign this and I hope something does happen. I also bought a ghostbusters and although my playfield is fine, I would be PISSED

It would be interesting if someone more local to the factory took their playfield and walked in the front door with it. Be pretty hard for them to ignore that.

Good for you, man. I applaud this. I had a GBLE with very minor ghosting and sold it for a VERY reasonable price. I thought it was a just a lackluster game.

But from everything I've seen from you and others, it's a real problem. No way I'd consider a new Stern. You need at least 60 days for the play field problems to surface to know if you'd be in the clear. Look at BM66 play fields. Playfield quality is a joke.

I'd say "go get 'em," but it's really just a basic demand of them owning up to their basic responsibility.

I hope Stern sticks around.

I do too, I'd just like to see these glitches worked out and find it a bit hard to understand why the issues aren't addressed with ease and more swiftly given their bankroll, history and experience in the industry. People are shelling out some significant coin for these games and should get better treatment.

I wonder how embarrassing it would be for Stern if a bunch of people local to the factory hung outside the place with picket signs regarding the playfield issues... And if it would help push them to do something. Especially if someone tipped off the local media and they ran a story... Just don't pull a BLM movement and hinder the flow of traffic.

Everyone does. I applaud you OP. You've been treated unfairly, you were promised a resolution by the CEO and Stern needs to make this right.

Do that and it's going into a black hole at Stern. When you call good luck getting anywhere. I would not try that but good luck. Companies usually only accept stuff with RMA numbers.

What is the cause of the ghosting?

IMG_2443 (resized).JPG

Ya know the really crazy thing about all this.................. All these problems were created over a 15 dollar cost difference in PF suppliers.

Has Stern gone back to using Churchill to supply playfields?