Wow...that went downhill fast.

Oh god please.....do you really think that is the case? I was told my playfield would be replaced long before you ever started puffing out your chest. The is just a normal evolution.....yes, it took longer than they originally told me, but I got an email from my distributor every couple of weeks letting me know Stern was still working on getting better playfields. I waited and was patient, and I doubt very seriously if any rant sped up the process. If your complaining is so effective, why do you still have your game and your chipped up playfield? Wouldn't you think they would want to take care of you first?

Williams exists in name only, as their game development has combined with Bally in Vegas under the SGI umbrella. IGT code is developed in Reno, Vegas, and up in Canada after the merge with GTECH. ATI development is out west as well. My point being, I doubt they are hiring any programmers away from Stern. Maybe that happened back when Williams was actually making machines, but I doubt that is the case these days.

Yes, and they will take your complaint and then make a phone call to Stern, and that is pretty much all they will do. In a State like Illinois (11Billion Dollars in arrears right now) , they would need half a stadium full of folks to even consider any type of real action. Oh they will tell you great things....just don't expect them to run into the courthouse and start filing cases. You CAN file your own civil case if you want, and maybe in 2 years or so it will be heard.

Got my replacement playfield early last week and just installed earlier today. Beautiful shape, and everything on the field is new...not my stuff switched to a new playfield, and not someone else's (I marked several pieces). No wear, no scratches, and everything is back to where it was when I bought the pin. I went back and added the shooter lane guards, added some mylar to the shooter lane and outhole, and replaced a few other mods. Here is the funny part......Playing the first game, I quickly discovered that my old playfield must have had a switch that wasn't working. I hadn't seen the Scolari brothers in forever, except for certain setups. I just assumed the new code had pretty much done away with them since everyone was complaining......turns out the inertia ball switch wasn't working on the old pin. I probably mucked it up when I put in the wire strengthener and didn't even know it. My first game on the new playfield was a whole new experience. At any rate, I got first class communication and first class treatment. I initially called my Distro when the ghosting appeared, and I got a call every 2 weeks just assuring me the replacement was still in the works. Not a lover or a hater, but I do have to give credit where it is due. yes, I did wait for a few months like everyone else, but my game played just fine during that time.

CBS is not in the game of trying to ruin a company, so you know where that will go, but all kidding aside, I do understand the frustration, just not the path you are taking to try and get resolution. I've said a million times they need to find someone with some public relations skills to be the face of their company, as they their own worst enemy in the public eye. I'm sure Gary will come up with some solution for you, but most likely the wait is in response to all of the negativity. Not the way most of us would handle it if it were our company, but human nature is to push back when pushed. Trace it back to the cave-man days! lol I do hope you see some resolution soon.

Just as reminder, when you get your playfields to swap, take some time and remember any mods or additions you made that you will need to take off the old playfield. A forgot a couple of things such as a stiffer launcher spring to stop the ball whizzing into the back panel, and a drain guard. If you added shims to the slimmer mech, any extra lighting, PKE mirror, etc, be sure to remove them. Stern is NOT removing your components and placing them back on the playfield they ship you. Something else for the purists....remove your "LE" cardboard luggage tags from the wire harness under your playfield and put them on your new field. The one I got in my box had "Premium" tags, which is the same as an LE, but if you are one of those OCD folks like me, you might want to save your LE stamped ones to put back on the game.

Imagine that...buying something, using it, and then selling it for less......Oh the humanity!

Interesting investment philosophy.....ranks right up there with determining your investment by the number of cars in the parking lot.

What flynnibus said.....and, I was referring to a statement made in an earlier post to exaggerate the point.

Yea, but most living the "lifestyle" as you put it, aren't riding $40,000 bikes.

This.....like you aren't president of the local chapter of "Negative Shit Twisters".......I do have to say I laughed harder at this than I have in a long time. Glad you got your playfield, just like everyone said would eventually happen. Glad you feel vindicated. Looking for the day when this discussion can be closed............

Sorry, you took that completely the wrong way. I was referring to the folks that live a "bikers" lifestyle (nomadic)...most of them don't ride 40K Harleys. I am sure some do, and that is why I said "most"...there are always exceptions. I spent some time working motorcycle gang investigations in a former life, and most of the true hardcore "bikers" build their own bikes, and are proud of the miles, wear and dings.

I rode a Venture and then a Nomad for years until I decided to buy a recliner on wheels (Gold Wing). I love the Harley look, feel and sound, but I never could pull the trigger on one. I don't even mind the cost of the bike....it is the cost of the accessories and service that I object to. I have seen my buddies shell out thousands in service....not repairs mind you.....just service. I know that is a stupid thing to say when we are shelling out 10K for a pinball machine, but it is just one of those things that sticks in my craw.