Just an observation here, but it should NOT be Goetz's job to be concerned with how other victims of defective playfields are rectified, or made whole. That job is, and always will be, JJP. He need only be concerned with how HE is made whole. I work in the auto industry, and the only thing that could/would sort of link an "end user" (i.e. customer) to other victims is a class action lawsuit, and even then the linking element is counsel (lawyers), not dealerships or even the OEM.

I have a pooling/rippled Wonka LE. FWIW, and have not contacted anyone on it because I have zero flaking/chipping.

The quality controls in place are typically done at the supplier level per ISO standards. This is the case with FSS, (full-service suppliers) HOWEVER as you state- a quality metric is typically in place at the OEM level to VERIFY said purchased parts. This is how it's done in the auto industry (which I work)

I'd be interested to know HOW this was laid out in the SOW (statement of work) and MSOW (manufacturing statement of work) purchase order between JJP and Mirco. Since cars and trucks can kill people when quality is not adhered to, part rejection happens all the time here in the auto industry, and thus, would delay the launch of a new vehicle.

But, like everyone says here in this thread all along- It is JJP's obligation and duty to make sure they're not putting sub-standard playfields in pinball machines, and them and them alone to stand behind the ENTIRE product in the event of an issue. They, in turn, then go after Mirco for damages. I can't for the life of me understand why JJP wouldn't do an "entire playfield swap" program with all of us early buyers from the defective playfield batch.

I highly doubt these things are being held to a production speed quota of "X amount of units a day", or hour, or whatever, like the auto industry, or other durable goods industries are. Seems to me they are essentially "slow built" with nearly zero automation, and almost 100% human power. This to me says they DO have the ability to QC things such as the playfields BEFORE they are populated. To me, this is where the wheels fell off.

Since the issue is purely aesthetic , and not functional (inhibiting the ability for gameplay) It explains why they're not doing much about it. Kinda sad, really, since JJPs products are really amazing.

I'm a Product Development Engineer at Ford Motor Company, and understand slow build v.s. production speed. That's why I mentioned it. these pinballs are more akin to how Ferrari, RR and Jaguar USED to build vehicles, and less like how we do things today with automation and computers. That's the only reason I said it. I've seen the video walkthru on Stern and JJP of their production facility which is 98% human labor. This IS the equivelant of "slow build" in a highlt automated industry such as the auto industry.

I completely agree with this. When you have a commodity that is produced at a slower rate, with less automation, quality expectations and standards should be WAAAY higher. They would HAVE to be!!! I cant really understand why JJP and Stern chose to use the mushy, soft playfields when they were detected upon arrival from Mirco. If someone tells me that they never detected the softness issue BEFORE populating them, or even during, then those companies REALLY have some SERIOUS quality control issues, and probably won't last.

I believe they KNEW they had too-soft playfields, and chose to use them b/c they HAD to get games out by a drop-dead date for financial reasons.

for some reason, the pooling takes time to show up. Not sure why. I'm assuming the first batch of games it shows up much quicker, if it is indeed still rearing its head on later games.

I have a game that was built in July last year. It has pooling everywhere, and a crack/chip on the right sling, lower starpost. I'm currently working with my distro, who BTW, is absolutely awesome.

I did not notice it at first, but I'm assuming the pooling was there from the build date. It's too bad that the PF's are cracking and chipping, because the pooling could be something to live with.

can’t say enough great things about my distributor here in Michigan. my new replacement PF came today, and it’s PERFECT. was built with pooling and developed cracking/chipping. this makes me feel complete for the 10k investment, especially when you consider how the pooling and chipping does not effect gameplay. thanks JJP and Abel Electronics
0B0411E7-88DB-4824-A0D5-B1B20D2D2959 (resized).jpeg230290A2-16AB-401E-92C7-5C42D3E37625 (resized).jpeg396D55F3-E4CE-4CDA-8684-69B89438AC57 (resized).jpeg736042E8-7EB3-4483-8D1D-F285F4CE0F26 (resized).jpegD9E31F73-B72D-407B-B05B-11E643AC2F54 (resized).jpeg

Don't really care, because I'm not going to swap it. It least, not now. the pooling/chipping does NOT affect game play, and I bought my game to PLAY, not sit and stare at. The most important thing here is JJP making the customer whole. It will be going with the game if I ever sell it, and don't end up swapping it down the road.

I don't think this is the case- Like I said; I won't be doing the PF swap, even though I have the right tools and knowledge to do it. No big deal to me. Maybe down the road, but probably not. It WILL however, give a potential buyer the OPTION to have a perfect playfield if they so wish, if they indeed need it that way. Some people need perfect games. Like... literally- PERFECT. That option is there. Again, I think JJP has bent over backwards trying to mitigate this issue all while trying to fill current orders, and get in line the launch of GNR. Hats off to them. QC did, however, slip through the cracks last spring before releasing this game.

I'm really impressed with how close to center the code was when released. not to far off.

Part of the reason I was FLOORED when I saw UPS deliver my PF today.

I didn't get screwed. I could do the PF swap no problem. I'm a mechanical engineer in the auto industry. I was made whole in my opinion. Sorry you don't feel that way

I do have the time- I've been working from home the last month. No, I won't.

What really amazes me is in a hobby where everyone is SUPPOSED to be enjoying it, there sure are a lot of vitriolic, hatefull, snarky, smart-asses on Pinside ready to attack ANYONE. Probably the last straw for me here, will probably be de-activating the account and going to FB marketplace for good.

How on earth do people get through the day that have NOTHING good to say, ever?