I'm a dealer and I got less than half of what I ordered. I sold what I got in the order I received deposits and I didn't raise the price. It's a limited edition, they are gone, and that's that.

Stern offered them for sale, they sold, and the rest is sour grapes.

So now the whining starts. My question is: Is everyone moaning a die hard Metallica fan or are people just pissed off because they missed a chance to make a fast buck? If you're truly a Metallica fan you can buy a pro or a premium. Problem solved. If you gotta have an LE the speculators will put them on ebay soon enough. I wish I could have delivered all the machines my customers ordered but I couldn't. For that I am truly sorry. The speculators could smell money and ruined it for the true collectors. Surprising? No. Sad? Yes.

Once again, I'm a Stern dealer, not a lawyer. These comments are coming from me, not from Stern.

To me the deposit is a sign of good faith and nothing more. There is no written contract. I have urged Stern to forbid dealers from accepting deposits. It's a horrible idea but customers wanted them. We now know deposits will not gaurantee an LE. I will not accept deposits for Star Trek (still unconfirmed). I will start a wait list because people will send deposits to several dealers and then screw the remaining dealers if they get a machine from someone else.

The only really fair way to proceed on the next title (my opinion) is to accept payment in full immediately and submit it to Stern immediately. First 500 who pay get machines. That's pretty simple. Yes, you will have to wait several months but that has become part of the game. First come, first serve to collectors. Making speculators wait for a profit will shake out at least a few of them.

As a dealer I won't accept deposits on Star Trek unless I can get a confirmation from Stern. I will start a wait list. IF AND WHEN Stern will accept payment from me I will buy as many machines as I am able to, as soon as I can, and ask for payment in full from customers asap. I think first come, first serve is the only fair way to do it. If people want to pay six months ahead then let's just get the LE's sold sooner than later and skip the last minute drama. This is just my opinion with no input from Stern whatsoever. Stern hasn't even confirmed ST yet, let alone touched on pricing or quantities. IF AND WHEN I am able to accept deposits or payments on the next title I will post. Stern is paying attention. The Metallica LE sales were unprecedented and record breaking. Give Stern a chance to learn and adjust. For now let's just enjoy Metallica and worry about the next title later.

Mike
http://www.lanesandgamesarcade.com/

I don't think there will be another game before Star Trek. It looks like Stern will be builing a LOT of Metallicas and still has to squeeze in more AC/DC's.
It would have been cool to see them take on Whoa Nellie. Someone started a rumor about that some time ago. A new Nordman Freres game would have been nice.

Wow, you came all the way from California just to check out Lanes and Games! Thank you, sir!