That's partially true. I agree that a larger diameter washer helps distribute the force over a wider area. But, the (star) posts themselves are not flat on the bottom. If a washer the same diameter as the post it would be better than a post alone. Is it enough? I don't know.

Here is a picture of the bottom to illustrate:

redpost (resized).jpg

Have you read Stern's warranty? If not, you might want to read as it (the express warranty) doesn't cover playfields.

I'm guessing you mean the implied warranty. If so, I sure hope hey step up and get it fixed/replaced!

Doesn't Varethane (Polyurethane?) turn yellow in time? Or are there new formulations that don't yellow now?

Not sure if that is a rhetorical question, but there are many consumer protection laws in place for cars. Specifically, the Motor Vehicle Defects Law which covers Lemon Law and such. If there wasn't you'd bet your sweet, sweet ass that they'd try and fuck it! Unfortunately, not so much for pinball.

How does the swap work; Does your distro do it or do you bill Stern for the swap?

What are people doing that have major issues out of the box: Like that guy that got the JP2 with that awful clear coat?

Full disclosure - I have only bought one NIB pin (Alien) and if it was messed up I don't know that I'd have any recourse with an Australian distro. But, if I bought local I'd just return the game. Are people having them shipped so they are, ostensibly, "stuck" with the game and just hoping that someone makes it right?

I don't really want to debate the damage that could be done to a distro, but if I buy a defective product from a store I will take it back to the store. Why are more people not putting more pressure on their distributors? Maybe my temperature gauge is off on this, but it seems people want to email Stern and hope things get taking care of instead of pressuring their distributor...?

This whole manufacturer-distributor situation seems whacky. I feel for those affected and hope they get a proper resolution to their issues.

That's pretty funny!

You are joking right? Hard to tell sometimes on the Internet.

Don't call Stern. Return it.

FYI:

All Sales Final policies are not prohibited under federal or any state law. As long as the policy is clear and in writing, retailers do not have to issue a return or refund except when a product is defective.

You do realize the playfield isn't included in Stern's stated warranty?

Yep, fully aware.

I'm just concerned that we are getting into a gray area since the playfield is not specifically covered under any stated warranty and Stern/JJP/Whomever can claim normal wear and tear and owners can claim defect. So, guess I'm saying don't put all your eggs in the warranty basket, start hitting the distro and manufacture with claims of a defective product from the start.

Are you being facetious? The clear is cratered too.

Are you saying your new Sterns have craters, but it is just the wood and the clear is flat and smooth? Or are you saying your new Sterns don't have any craters?

Sounded like the former, but wasn't clear to me.

To his point, he talking about the compressed wood that is as hard as steel. Not some soft plastic.

With something like wood that is compressed and as hard as steel how do they "CNC" that? Do they use water jets or plasma or lasers or something else?

They don't fall in the UV spectrum? Hu.. I wonder how it gets the "glow" affect then?