All I need is for another 500 something people to do the same and maybe I can afford a new Stern.

I'm working on building up my creative workshop. One of the things I've invested in is a CNC. Who knows, maybe I'll work on pinball mods again.

In the meantime it's looking like it's going to be a month later than expected to get it, hopefully November. The people who do the aluminum extrusion are backed up, they can't service all their customers. The powder coaters used to have a 3 day turnaround. Now it's 21 days.

Supply chains are f'd all over. It's not just the chip shortages. Am I happy about price increases? Hell no, but tbh I was already not buying, it doesn't change anything for me. My pain point is long passed, they're just games, ain't worth the coin to me. I have other ways to have fun.

But I do think you have to understand that the pricing pressures are very real, and a lot of companies just don't have much choice. They can't get their product built quickly anymore. I have to think Stern is feeling it too, and I do feel for them.

Just, not in a way where my sympathy is making me open my wallet.

I sold most of my collection to friends, gave everyone a fair price, often what I paid. Wasn't trying to fleece people I knew. If I'd held on a few years could I have made more money? Sure, but the space was freed up for other pursuits, I have no regrets.

But I was talking with a dealer friend the other day and he was telling me current prices. The White Water I sold a friend for $4k going for $8k now etc. It's just crazy town to me. Pandemic put a lot of extra pressure on prices for sure.

Forget the Banning auction, as someone who's been in the hobby for years, and been around a lot of games and sales, I honestly have no clue what anything is worth anymore. My meter is broken.