Having operated all JJP pins from WOZ LE to GnR LE, you really have to like pinball a lot to operate one at these price points. I almost didn't buy GnR, but it was too cool to pass up.

Price for The Hobbit started at $7500 for preorders, yet well before these games were available prices increased after Feb 2013 to $8000 and eventually up to $9000. Also, once Smaug sales slowed down JJP rolled out the Black Arrow edition and that didn't help sellers of Smaug. So, making a comparison at $6500 doesn't compare well to those people buying NIB above that preorder price.

Elvis, Sopranos, and South Park for $1500? Unless they were broken and sitting on three legs, none of these pins were readily available working for close to $1500. I understand you are trying to make a point here that newer games depreciated more in the past than today. I agree with that point, but I think your examples are unrealistic.

To add to your point. As a former WOZ ECELE owner, without the 2.0 light boards, I wouldn't even consider buying a 7.5 lamp board game regardless of the price. I replaced ALL the lamp boards in my game twice, and some three times. For those of you that haven't had that problem in your Emerald Green or Ruby Red game, consider yourself very lucky.

Okay, so you are using auction prices as a comparison, that explains it.

Coin operated amusement games, meaning all amusement games and not just pinball, as an industry probably had its worst year ever in 2020. To date, 2021 isn't much different. Will business be better in another 6-8 months? Hopefully, yes it will. That said, existing locations and operators will have to get back on their feet again. In pre-Covid times, it was already a risky proposition placing a JJP game on location. This coming Fall it will still be a risky proposition with a higher price tag.