I agree that a company can charge anything it wants for its product and that it should maximize profits. BUT . . .

Changing your initial price this close to release just reeks of incompetence. If JJP can't get their shit together about the market and pricing this far in the game, they look like their making shit up as they go along. When they pulled the monkey out of WOZ and raised the price, I was shocked that people actually bought it.

And for those of you mentioning the frenzy of ppl buying games no matter what the price increase, remember that most of them are buying them without even playing the damned game. With CEs, they are buying them based on a quick video if that.

I'm with Rotordave: I'll stick with my current collection. I just wish I had 120 pins!

Sad part in the steep increase in pricing is that a lot of middle class people that would normally get into this hobby won't be able to. I know it's always been a semi-rich guy's hobby, but even used prices are getting crazy. It's truly becoming a hobby for the wealthy and the grandfathered, like real estate in dense cities like New York.

I make good money, but I wouldn't have joined the party at these prices. Pinball is fun, but it's not THAT fun.

Or maiden pro + jp pro huo combo for close to the same price. Absolute no brainer.

Never thought I'd be pushing stern spike machines over jjp. How times have changed.

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...

Please use quotes if you're going to start with a claimed argument so that we can avoid fallacies. Who said they were wronged and/or hurt?

The point here is customer relations. Do I want to do business with a company that shorts distros that stood by them when times were tough, all to make a short term buck? Do I want to do business with a company that raises prices on a whim for a quick buck, screwing over those who would actually like to try the game? I honestly thought this company was way above both of those decisions.

For me I will vote with my wallet. It's going to be damned hard for them to earn my trust back. I hope other companies will step up and fill the void.

They can do what they want, but selling off their rep for quick cash deserves criticism IMHO.

Maybe I'm wrong and the blind buying frenzy will continue. I won't be a part of it.

Fair enough. I suppose I do feel they wronged distros. You disagree?

They could have announced why they raised the price. Their potential customers might like to know. I smell a lack of planning and greed. If they don't want to clear it up, so be it. Just like the playfield issue.

American, p3 etc are now on my radar. I'll probably just stick with what I have. 12 feels like too many. I don't know how rotor Dave does it!

Agreed, let's get kids back in the workplace and pay women half. The good old days couldn't come back quicker!

From my experience, you shouldn't compare working on machines to the manufacturing line. I find working on machines relaxing, but most assembly lines are about repetition and meeting targets. I worked a few in my younger years, and each one was a special type of hell, even for the most positive individuals. They always devolve into "we want faster with fewer errors." Supervisors get stressed. People start beaking.

It's nothing like tinkering, trust me.

Um... Actually, if you have something constructive to add about labour in the pinball market, we actually would give a fuck. I'm sure no one gives a fuck with your shitty attitude though.

We've heard your shit about "working in the video game industry" a bazillion times and really could use a break. But you know what? We tolerate it because we're not dicks. Be a dick. I don't care. I didn't miss anything.