Quoted from razorsedge:

Absolutely! ... whatever presents in one place IS common to the entire playfield. They'll end up like that picture of the WOZ with only bare wood around the pop, once the art lifts from the ply and the clear/art flakes away. Surprises for the future.

Quoted from Rondogg:

TBH this problem could be in the millions of $ (in profits) and incredibly nasty to correct. I have no doubt they are meeting with their lawyers, insurance, vendors etc etc. If it's as big as it's looking (right now) it could be an industry defining moment depending on how they handle it. I have no issue with them taking as long as they need (within reason) to formulate a plan.

Quoted from luckymoey:

I have some experience with business insurance and it typically includes a very large deductible and is mainly intended to protect against secondary damages, e.g. a part supplied to Boeing is defective and causes the plane to crash. The more likely scenario is that the playfield vendor is liable to JJP/Stern for the direct (cost of playfield) and secondary (cost to swap playfield and loss of sales) damages. This assumes that JJP/Stern were able to negotiate good warranty terns with the supplier. If the vendor has insurance AND is liable for secondary damages, the insurance company may be motivated to quickly settle to minimize secondary damages. I doubt insurance would cover “minor” cosmetic issues like rippling that haven’t caused de-lamination - this is likely why JJP/Stern published letters excluding clearcoat “variations” but stopped short of claiming de-lamination is normal.

Quoted from libtech:

Did you see post 727, looks gross!

Quoted from tpir:

My AFMr is flawless in every way shape and form. (Both of my post-2018 Stern tables have issues with less than 500 plays.)

Quoted from donkadelic:

While the unpopulated playfield is a nice gesture, it feels like a total half-measure. Why would the end user want 2 playfields anyway? Isn't the desired result 1 good playfield?
I feel theres only really 3 acceptable outcomes here, baring in mind that JJP is a smaller company and they can't just ship out 500+ populated playfields without going bankrupt.
#1 Unpopulated playfield, 1000$ discount on a future purchase. This solves both problems without bankrupting the company. It takes care of the people with problems, and wins back customer loyalty/confidence. Sure they're taking a major hit on a future machine, but likely still making a profit and guaranteeing future sales.
#2 Populated playfield or full machine swap. Seems like a no brainer, JJP gets the parts back and can use them on future machines, for which they have the expertise to depopulate and populate without much trouble. Buyer is 100% happy here as well.
#3 Return for a refund. Obvious, why is this not an option since the machines are defective?
I would pretty much guarantee that Mediocre-co is on the hook for most or all of this anyway. Their business is the one that will surely go under if JJP has to take the hit, no way they'll use them again (or anyone else for that matter). And surely there are insurance or contracts between JJP and chip-co that cover this sort of situation.
Now as for Stern, the only real solution for them is #2 or #3. They're a big business and they can handle it.

Quoted from meSz:

With Sterns current stance I am looking for my next pin to be Wonka or GnR as if I have issues I know Jack will back it up. Might take a little time, understandably, but he has proven to me that he will take care of his customers.

Quoted from meSz:

From what I read JJP originally offered new pf for 550$ and then changed it to free pf. People that had already paid the 550$ were contacted and given refunds.

Quoted from yancy:

So this is an interesting, promising development. Last night I played a freshly unboxed JPLE. It had the old style playfield, with art all the way under star posts, and no washers (except under the third flipper post). I checked all the problem areas with my phone flashlight. It looked absolutely perfect.
Pretty sure the local Chicago distributor had just picked it up Thursday or Friday, so it’s very newly made. Sorry I forgot to check the date. Anyway, for Stern to ship a game at this point with art under posts and no washers, means they at least think they have it figured out. Or so I hope.

Quoted from NeilMcRae:

From my POV that's a side effect of the clear not being what it once was. Not the root cause but not sure we will ever know for sure.

Quoted from hawkmoon77:

Yes. The distributor will be bringing it over, installing it, and sending the old one back for me.

Quoted from Mike_J:

File a chargeback with your credit card company.

Quoted from pinballaddicted:

Patience is key. We have 2 games with pooling, no chipping yet. Keep playing your games, and keep emailing Stern yourself.
We have waited a year before to get a result. Do not give up, I think Stern are counting on that. Persistence will pay off. That is our plan.
I think if people start posting all their pooling and chipping, this will hurt Stern. Right now, people have been patiently waiting for a response. I do not think that is too much to ask. Just a response from Stern.

Quoted from underlord:

And? Shit product is still being purchased regardless of entity bought from. Enough Distro’s take a hit it goes right to Manufacturers lap. Try ignoring the phone then when Distro’s stop buying.

Quoted from pinballaddicted:

Post up some pics of the MMrRE. Nice choice! we have a standard MMr and love it. I think we will be buying all the upgrades.
I do not think you will have to worry about pooling with CGC.

Quoted from JohnnyPinball007:

Last time I checked classicgamerooms.com still took cc. I like Jason.

Quoted from pinballaddicted:

I think we also need to be patient so Stern can start making older playfields without the playfield art going right up to the posts.
No good if you get a IMDN, DP or MUN playfield and it is the same as the one you already have. Same shit will happen. Wait until the playfields have been remade, start demanding stuff then.
I like the CC idea but how long before you can make a charge back? If the game is 2 years old, I am not so sure the CC company will accept the charge back.

Quoted from iceman44:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/return-protection/faq.html
Here is Amex

Quoted from Mike_J:

Ice linked the wrong document.
You need to review Amex Purchase Protection.
II. DESCRIPTION OF BENEFITS
What is Covered
The Plan will pay a benefit for an item up to $10,000 for any one Covered Incident and up to $50,000 for all Covered Incidents per Card Member Account during a calendar year for:
1. The lesser of:
a. the cost to repair the item;
b. the cost to replace the item; or
c. reimbursement for the item.
2. A Covered Incident related to Natural Disaster will have a maximum per occurrence limit of $500 for any one Covered Incident.
For Accounts eligible and enrolled in the Membership Rewards Points and/or Pay with Points program(s), an item is eligible for coverage under this Plan if it was purchased through the redemption of Membership Rewards Points and/or Pay with Points. Our benefit payment will not exceed the amount of the Membership Reward Points and/or Pay with Points You redeemed to purchase the item. Benefits will not be paid when redemption of Membership Rewards Points and/or Pay with Points have been transferred to a non-eligible card account or non-Card Members.
Our benefit payment will not include payment of expenses or fees related to shipping and handling, installation, assembly, professional advice, maintenance or other service charges or any product rebates, discounts or money received from lowest price comparison programs that reduced the original cost of the item. Our benefit payment will not exceed the amount charged to Your Account (including applicable sales tax). Repair must be performed by an authorized repair facility or other professional repair facility, as outlined in the manufacturer’s warranty.
Length of Coverage
Purchase Protection provides benefits, for one hundred and twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days for New York Residents) from the date of purchase, if a Covered Incident occurs with respect to the item You purchased and charged to Your Account.
Only a Card Member has a legal and equitable right to any insurance benefit that may be available under this plan.

Quoted from JodyG:

Automated up in Connecticut takes plastic for payment.

Quoted from sohchx:

Automated is outstanding, and is who I have purchased all of my NIB from. When I asked about the "cleargate" dilemma before recently purchasing my DP pro he was completely aware of the problems and 100% assured me that if anything happened relating to that issue that I would be taken care of quickly and without issue which solidified my purchase decision, again.

Quoted from Lermods:

Warranty for stern is in the back of every manual. It only covers dmd/lcd and boards, and only for original owner. There is no warranty on the playfields. I don’t know how you would win a claim through your CC company. The only warranty extension your Amex would cover is boards/lcd. I’d bet JJPs is similar.
[quoted image]

Quoted from Mike_J:

https://www.chicago-gaming.com/warranties/afm_mmr_warranty_card.pdf

Quoted from Lermods:

So you basically have 30 days with jjp to file a claim if your playfield has issues. If your credit card company has a double warranty, you are at 60 days. But, you have to prove there is a defect. Is pooling a defect? Is a small chip a defect? In your eyes (and mine) yes, but maybe not to the CC company or the manufacturer.
I’m not trying to be argumentative here, just trying to think it through.
if you buy a car and the paint chips in a small spot, can you do a chargeback? The car company at best will give you touch up paint. If you buy an appliance and there is a small chip, can you do a chargeback? Same thing, they probably send touch up paint. I’m sure it’s not what people want to hear and I’m not saying chips aren’t bad, they are very bad on new games and I’d be very upset, just not sure it’s as easy as people make it sound to file a chargeback. Has anyone actually done it and been successful?
I think anyone doing a chargeback will face a steep uphill battle. Better to go to the manufacturer and seek a solution. For games with chips, people have received unpopulated playfields, which should put the next buyer of your game at ease.

Quoted from iceman44:

I have to agree with Lermods
I can’t possibly see getting a chargeback for pooling and realistically minor chipping as well
I think as much as it sucks, the best case we have to deal with is hope they get it right in the future or simply don’t buy their products anymore
My JPLE also has zero issues and thin clear
My MunstersLE looks great but has some some pooling. Elvira up next

Quoted from iceman44:

GM didn’t replace the entire car I think is the issue here Mark
Lemon laws are in effect for that if can prove a multitude of problems and issues
For me, the pf issues will get resolved if not already
I may or may not buy for the other reasons I stated above
Stripping stuff out of LE and premium games just to make an extra buck or two is FAR more concerning to me.
Make the F ing game the best it can be as originally designed! The pro is cheaper because it has less features. WTF

Quoted from iceman44:

I think you made the 100% right move getting that MMrRE