Quoted from Tranquilize:I would wager the opposite.
The increase shows that JJP will appreciate customers in thin times, and turn their back when times are good. This is their first hit since Woz. The tides will turn again, and trust me, it will not bode well for them. I am out on all future JJP games on principle, not to mention the distro BS they pulled. In an industry like this, keeping customers is going to be important when it swings. Stern is getting just as bad, and the used market is already getting crazier in response to these companies' greed.
Watch a Jeff Bezos YouTube video from the 90s about customer service and ask yourself if jjps decision is wise for the business. It seems that everyone is looking short term...
Why does everyone behave as if these companies should all sit on their hind quarters and “take one for the team” so wealthy pinball collectors can buy on the cheap?
It’s not like these games cost $1800 NIB a few months ago and JJP jacked the price up to $10.5k. And it’s not like these machines are akin to a wonder drug that will save millions from dying, and JJP is turning their back on the poor and selling it for $2,000 a week.
We’re talking about a coin operated amusement device that already cost north of $9,000. Nine Grand - Plus, folks. Unless you’re a person that’s going into debt over buying one of these (which any reasonable person would say is a bad idea), then you’re talking about something that’s insanely expensive and completely unnecessary.
Next time you’re with non-pinball friends, trying telling them how you’ve been so wronged because a pinball machine that you were going to pay $9.5k for (plus tax and shipping) was increased to $10.5k.
Guaranteed that most everyone will look at you like your crazy and detached, and no one will join the chorus of what a travesty it is.
Like it or not, JJP is a business that needs to make money to stay in business. And right now, they are selling a very desirable item that is going to make them money. Much like an automobile manufacturer, they can and will raise prices when they see fit. Car manufacturers do this all of the time... There’s no government mandated day where prices can only be increased. They’ll do it when it best suits their business.
If there comes a time to when demand falls, they will adjust.
It’s just the way it is.
I’ve been in the hobby long enough to see a lot of these price increases. Up until 2020, I always thought “this is it. We’ve reached the ceiling.” But guess what? That ceiling gets shattered every time. And there’s always a chorus of angry people, and most say “I’ll never buy again... unless they make my dream theme.”
I don’t like these increases. Of course, no customer is thrilled about the prospects of paying more. But I think I’ve come to terms with them. And I don’t think we’ve seen the ceiling, because I’ve thought we’ve hit the ceiling every few months for the last 6 years. I thought the pandemic would crush these companies... not only have they survived, but they are stronger than ever.
At the end of the day, we should all be thankful that a manufacturer like JJP is still selling games. If you can’t afford one or if you think it costs more than it’s value, then DON’T BUY IT. Wait. Play it at shows and enjoy it at locations. Or wait for the used market. But this whole “they’ve wronged us, those bastards” schtick is out of bounds. JJP owes its customers (people who have actually paid money for NIB games) great customer service and game support. From my experience, they’ve done that. But they definitely aren’t some charity that needs to scrape by while rich clients bitch about cash on a nonessential luxury item.