Finally got through all of the Gary Stern interview with Franchi and Dr Pin
I wanted to start this thread because I know they read Pinside
It was a great interview. I like hearing from all manufacturers and talking about where they have been and where they are going
It’s clear based on Gary’s comments that they are struggling with fitting every game into the same BOM, regardless of title, and/or increasing the toys and features and needing to raise price
As a guy that has purchased TWDLE, ASLE, GBLE, IMDNLE, JPLE, MunstersLE, STHLE, ElviraLE, Beatles GOLD, AC/DC premium, LOTRLE, SM, TSPP, WPT, BM66LE and AIQLE recently here is my suggestion.
Take at least ONE theme per year and throw out the BOM and then just price it accordingly. The more in there the better
As a new GNRCE buyer I’m looking for “more” and am willing to pay for it
It’s why I passed on LZ. Ok, you gotta satisfy all the different parts of the market. Easy to make, great theme, excellent profit
When you talk about putting Avengers pros on the line instead of Elvira or JP “because it’s easier to make and the profit margin is higher” that’s not what we want to hear. I get it though, I am a CPA and attorney and understand the business has to work.
I agree that “FUN” is #1 with Stern pinball and you do a great job with it.
As you guys struggle with how to allocate resources each day, Consider Making at least ONE “FUN” and SPECIAL pin per year, without regard to the BOM and just price it however it comes out. WE WILL BUY IT
I’ve accumulated enough “FUN” and will be looking forward to GNRCE type stuff in the future
You know you got there when people say WOW, this game is packed like a JJP game and plays like a FUN Stern game!
Make it happen Gary and George! Life is short