Are you kidding me distributors have a 100% markup a $5000 game distributors make $2500

2k to 2.5k max

Not any more. ( if they ever did )

LTG : )

Here's probably a better question "anyone care to speculate on the cost to build a machine for a few hundred posts and not ever get an answer because no one who actually knows would ever divulge that?"

That's a nice rant, but you don't factor in nice tax incentives and other incentives thrown around by states and municipalities to keep or attract businesses, particularly bricks-and-mortar manufacturing businesses. I am very well aware of the costs of running a business and for every expense you quote above I can quote strategies to mitigate and sometimes even eliminate out of pocket costs.

And, for someone who seems to be posting as an expert on business, your line "if you can't afford a NIB and don't like the price, bitch and moan - fine" is short-sighted and absurd. I don't by NIB, by choice, but I am offended and personally effected by these cash grab price schemes because it:

a. Elevates the prices of pins in general as sellers think their stuff is worth more by relative measure. Have you seen the asking price for pins since Expo? There are more than a few examples of some really aggressive pricing for pins....$10K for LOTR??? GTFOH!
b. Shrinks the number of new pins in the wild. Pins are becoming too expensive for operators who have other choices like ticket games, etc. What if I would like to actually go play a couple of games on a pin rather than dropping the cost of a late model used car on one? My choices are getting less and less.
c. Chases people out of the hobby. As prices elevate, simple finances make people find other choices to spend their discretionary money. My experience has been the people that don't drop $7-12K on NIB games are actually the ones who love pinball and bring value to the hobby. Alot of those upper end NIB buyers? Posers who enjoy showing off what they have. Now this is not saying that is everyone, but I've met more than a handful of these high-end buyers and the majority of them I wouldn't share a beer with even if they were buying.

I vote for the best of both worlds outlook:

Regular games: Expensive due to company expenses
Batman 66: Douchebaggery

There, now we're ALL right! /thread

Distributors, in the good times, made no more than 30%. Today, it is probably closer to 15-20%.

LMAO

yeah....no

I think distributors make more off games than you think...just based on a couple of personal conversations. No exact numbers to share

You also forgot the 2 2.5 yr of cost before Stern sells a game and as for game prices collectors drive the price of a LOTR up to $10,000 not Stern. I bought a CV for $3000 6 yr back now they sell $8500 again also collectors driving up the price

Distributors make far less than it seems that people in this thread believe.

I'm not trashing anyone. I respect and admire most of the people working in the pinball industry. I do complain about the higher prices and have decided not to pay them.

Not a chance. If a manufacturing company found a way to double its costs in such a short period of time, you would have their entire management layer looking for new jobs after being fired for incompetence.