Then they should have made a Fan Club LE

From Stern's standpoint, who cares if they're 'rare'? All that does is bone the resale market. Maybe do a limited run (ie. run MOP from April to September) instead of locking it down to certain number of LEs. Stern doesn't see any money from the secondary market, they're not raking it in when a TRONLE sells for $10k. They make the $4,500 they sold TRONLE for in the first place two years ago.

Now, they're pissing everyone off and have customers and distributors fighting just to get one. Doesn't make sense. Everyone says to get rid of the Pro versions (I agree), but maybe get rid of the LE versions too. Like Fatsquatch said, one version, everyone wins.

I'm kinda starting to hope this game sucks.

I spoke on the phone with Jim from Stern on 4/11 (Day of release). I asked about the possibility of them doing a Ride the Lightning LE and he said there is no way. Only 500 Master of Puppets will be made and no other LE's will be made.
I would be surprised if this was to happen.

Don't get yer hopes up...

Not hoping that but all these "rumors" make it hard to want to follow the theme.

I really don't have a problem with them doing this because they are taking the risk and paying for them up front. It does suck for people that want one but again they are the ones taking the risk and the ones that get burned if it doesn't work out.

Now if they are taking games away that they have pre-sold to resell to make a profit they should be named so future people can avoid dealing with them. Because there are got distributors out there that will look after you. Just ask around.

Some distros oversold, basing their allotment of past games. The overseas market exploded on this title, and some distros did not get their usual allotment. They ended up having more pre sold than they actually were allotted. Stern didn't give a number and then roll it back on anyone.

This just in....

'Sources' now confirming that this is nothing more than bull$hit started by people who missed the boat and are now butt-hurt... trying to stir up trouble hoping a few people believe enough to pull their order over it, freeing up a machine or 5...

Stay tuned as things 'develop'...

I doubt news that there are even fewer machines to go around will convince anyone to give up their orders.

the overseas market explose, i confirm, in france the price for the MOP is 8200€ , about 10600 US$ and it was already difficult to find one last saturday

I'm sure of it.

Stop me if you've heard this before...

A guy signs up on Pinside and his first post is misinformation that others take as fact.

Pandemonium ensues.

Stop

Well believe what you want but distros orders have been cut. That is a FACT. So some lost out because of it. FACT.

unfortunately, the OP speaks the truth.

Give it time, and this will unravel.. I don't mean to play devil's advocate here but there's a reason why GEX hasn't received confirmation from Stern in writing.

The problem is people thinking about this as an investment. Why do you care how many are made? if its rare? Why, because you think it will hold some sort of value that you can then resell for more then you paid down the road (not because you give a shit about pinball and increasing its awareness like it was in the 80's and 90's, not because you want the game for its gameplay over its side art and crappy powder coating)

Pinball is not an investment, The same people driving up the prices will be selling their A and B titles down the road to fund their New Kids on the Block LEs, let me know I have cash in my pocket I'll be waiting.

Some of you guys need to get over it - who gives a shit if they make 3000 LEs - this isn't some sort of elite status you achieve by having a rare game and being first inline, if you want a rare game I will sell you my Airborne Avenger - only 350 made - maybe I should sell it for 5k even though I got it for $150. If the game sucks it doesnt matter how rare it is.

If stern was smart they would release more LEs release a Ride the Lightening LE - do away with the entire premium model and just have the Pros - no shortage, all you guys would stop wanking, distributers would make money and Stern would make money - this entire LE thing is getting out of control - sell them in 20 years with your cabbage patch kid collection and your worthless beanie babies....

YOur f*cking up pinball for the people that actually play and care about pinball, not collect games to put on display and be wiped down with a diaper....just my opinion... I still dont get the whole rare thing - so because you want a rare game you dont want other people to have the opportunity to own one? Is that selfish or greedy or both?

Tomorrow you will see this will change..

I can't resist..but I think you mean
<black album>"You know it's sad but true!"</black album>

+1 !!

JJ...PLEASE!!!!!!

Don't worry about all of this crap. It's your vacation, dude. You deserve it. Stay out of touch for a day or 2...

Poor guy picked the wrong time for a vacation

What I like most about a cruise is the ability to turn of my phone and email!!!

I don't necessarily disagree with this but they are making a Premium with the exact same gameplay as the LE. If you're not worried about rarity or re-sale value, just complete gameplay, the premium is the logical choice. It's what I'm buying.

You're not going to convince people not to try to make money if they see an opportunity. I doubt they are worried about "f*cking up" pinball for you.

+1

There's another thread with a POLL in it that quantifies this point of discussion.

Normally I would say keep the LE an LE but if the band or another factor shortened our market unexpectedly I think adding back in to the count would make sense. Personally I think they were nuts for not making an LE just for the band to sell. Plus a regular run for our market.

That's what I believe.

Anyone can join their fan club and order it... That said its sold out there now too .

I may be oblivious, but I never would have expected typical Metallica fan club members to buy a $7500 pinball machine. That's an awfully expensive piece of memorabilia.

Are pinball machines freakin' beanie babies now? Good lord.

No...beanie babies went outta style. Pinball machines are in style BIG TIME right now!

Can you provide any PROOF?? Because my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Gary Stern at 31 Flavors last night say this is not the case. I guess he was pretty serious...

"Style"... great. I just want to play good games, but their being "in fashion" for rich dudes makes it a financial difficulty.

I agree, if the band has taken many LEs for their fan club members then the supply chain has been messed up for the normal LOYAL Stern LE buyer's and made the game unobtainable for many. If that is the case Stern should either up the number of LEs or have a second version of the LE.
Also, no I am not butt hurt because I would not buy a Metallica pin no matter the version or price.

I hoe you never have a reason to be Butt Hurt.

WTF is going on.

BTW, the Ferris Bueller machine is ONLY being made as an LE. For what I've heard anyhoo.

Only problem I see with adding more LE's would be those that went PRO/Premium because they couldn't get an LE would be hosed again.

There's no hard proof to contradict the claims either.. Stern and the distributors are keeping quiet about the whole thing. The only distributor who's spoken up openly about it was GEX, and even they don't have 100%, written confirmation either.

Stern dropped the ball somewhere.

This cut is very real. My distributor has had his allocation cut by over 50%. The most recent cut came this morning.

I am currently getting a machine but that could change at any moment, at which Stern may have lost a customer for life. This is flat out bullshit and is no way to run a business.

I know my distributor personally and trust him 100% and don't believe he is pulling back stock to keep for himself.

Right but neither of those are out yet.. so a buyer could simply shift their downpayment to a new LE game.

I bet at this early stage they could switch up.

Could explain why the distributor I ordered with is not responding.

What?

I was just responding to the post above saying people were just complaining and feeling "butt hurt" because they did not get one. I don't have any interest in getting a Metallica pin so I am not in that boat and simply wanted to make that clear that I did not miss out.
I feel sorry for others that wanted one and may have missed out because of the Metallica band members diverting the stock to non-pinheads.

100% agree. I was already mad about XMen. Metallica was going to make things right. Now, who knows.

There are people buying multiples of machines with intent to sell at a profit? Blasphemy!

Wait...isn't that what distributors do? In many circumstances, they don't even BUY the game. They are getting paid to place an order for you because they can, and you can't.

I hear that many car dealers do the same thing. Oh, the horror!

This is going to be disaster for Stern if they do not make sure that dozens and dozens of people don't get left out that have pre-orders in with regular Stern distributors.

Agreed. I actually like the idea of scrapping LE's all together and just have a Pro vs decked out Premium choice. I'm not in the hobby for the limited-ness...I want to play em

Somebody please contact Williams and let them know what these pins are selling for today.......PLEASE

Stern is not delivering enough games or something? Wow, at least all the WOZ people got theirs

No they haven't lol....

they would probably be doing the same crap unfortunately.....and there is just too much money in those darn one eyed bandits!