For all those people saying that A pro or Prem or Le is not worth X amount.
It clearly is WORTH that amount, or they wouldn't sell. They may not be worth that mount to YOU, but what YOU are prepared to pay for a machine does not govern the prices Stern (or anyone else can charge).
Covid, Brexit, Inflation, BOM, Supply Issues, Rising price of components, Weather are all just red herrings when it comes to pricing.
Demand is far outstripping capacity to supply - therefore Stern would be mad to not raise their prices.
Once demand starts to reduce and get closer to supply capacity - prices will stabilise.
IF it ever gets to the case that demand drops off far below supply, they will have to reduce prices further. If that means that they have to lower the price below what is profitable for them they will shut up shop.
Stern is a business. They are not a charity, they are not in it to 'promote pinball' (other than to increase demand for their own product).
You are not entitled to a machine and what YOU can afford.
FWIW a PRO in the UK is £7,100 = $9,818. I would happily pay what you guys in US are paying for your machines - but everyone thinks that THEY are entitled to it cheaper, but will happily get as much as they can when trying to sell it. Or that they should have a wage increase above and beyond everyone else.
As pinball becomes more popular, and more people want to own one, prices will rise - it really is basic economics.
