Hey guys. Was talking with Jack today and I posed several questions about how a purchase and payment is to be made for the new Wizard of Oz Emerald City Limited Edition.

He told me: So that nobody misses out on this game at the Pre-Order price, the $250 refundable deposits must be converted to real orders within 60 days. Before that time, many more details about the game will be made known.

On March 1, 2011, Pre-Order customers can convert to be Special Order customers and be guaranteed a game for an additional payment of $1500. Full payment will not be required on 3/1/11.

I know a lot of people have been wondering about this. I hope this helps!!! I think it is encouraging, and that means a lot more people will be able to afford to jump in and say: "We're off to see the Wizard . . . ."

I'm also going to try and post this on the other thread so that no one misses it.

Not that I'm getting priveleged information from Jack, but I have been posing a lot of questions to him lately and he is not ignoring me. When I inquired as to how I was going to be paying for this machine he outlined it to me and I told him I was going to pass this along on the forum. I have seen a LOT of questions concerning the payment process on these pages and other forum sites.

I think Jack is 'feeling his way' right now and perhaps some of these payment concepts have been spur of the moment thoughts. I know he is CONSUMED with this project and is in the process right now of obtaining an artist.

I guess I'm a gambler. Since he is trying to perhaps show Stern how pins should really be made, I have to think this one will be very special. He's surely not going to put out a crumby product and tarnish his own image. Secondly, I echo the sentiments of another poster on here in that Jack has been in business a long time and it will not be easy for him to abscond with the money. Those of us who put the big dollars in it will surely get a big dollars machine and maybe more.

I also am enjoying being a part of a 'new wave', the dawn of signficant change in the pathway and history of pinball. Stern could crash at any time. Jack's venture might crash also in a few years, but those of us who purchase a pin from him might be the last people on Earth who have bought one manufactured in the USA.

His explanation of payments is pretty clear to me. I put down $250.00 and got my name on the list as a 'tentative buyer' with no obligation. This guarantees for me, at least in this early time frame, that if orders exceed the 1,000 to be produced, I won' be bumped when it is time to commit; I will have the right to buy a pin at that second stage in March. On, or around March 1, you will have to commit or back out. You plunk down another $1,500 and you are locked in . . . and that's both ways . . . you WILL get a pin, and you CAN'T stop paying for it! No word on when you finalize things. I have asked him would he be willing to accept monthly payment plans between now and Christmas, but he has not responded.

Jack plans on releasing a lot of information within the next month. I am just guessing, but I'm thinking that by that time we might get to see some artwork or concept visuals as created by the artist.

Coasterguy . . . thanks for the positive comment. I'm pleased that you said you are glad to be a part of this. Me too. I was beginning to think I was alone in my opinion. Yes, I'm like you . . . I like Stern pins too and have several. I am well pleased with my Avatar. Some people really put it down for having such an open playfield. But, after playing LOTR and Simpsons, I LIKE the open field. Gives me a lot of action play.

I think there is room for both of them. I hope they both succeed!!!