I'm also not a fan of the non-refundable (and non-transferable, up here!) deposit but I think with Covid happening, it must be a living nightmare for nearly any business to function. Parts delays, shipping delays, manufacturing issues from keeping employees safely distanced... I expect that JJP (and all other manufacturers) are probably just doing the best they can, trying to make as many pins as possible. I expect that they're not giving guaranteed delivery dates simply because they know they can't. Too many variables beyond their control. They have a product that's in massive demand, so they get to increase the price, insist on non-refundable deposits, and will ship us the games when and only when they're ready to go!
It's a serious change of pace from when I could call my distro and get a game between a few days and up to a month, but it is what it is.
I'm just happy that this industry is thriving during covid and not suffering. That said, prices are getting stupid (resales included!) so it's kind of too-much-of-a-good-thing, from my perspective.

Explain that to the salesman who sold us our new appliances, GUARANTEED to be here for the end of January, now expected at the end of next week (finally).
Refridgerator, stove, cook-top... ordered them in November, and were told "No problem. We'll have them here by then!"
The cook-top had to be cancelled completely and we bought it elsewhere.
So no, I think life (and especially Covid) is a little more complicated that you're making it out to be.
FYI: Bosch fridge and stove. Not sure what their annual sales are (apparently 77.7 billion euros in 2019) but it's MASSIVE compared to JJP and even they aren't able to handle what's going on right now.

I beg to differ. End user/buyer is the point of view that's being discussed. People are miffed because they don't have a firm delivery date on a new pin, same as my appliances. JJP is not alone with these challenges.
In my situation, Bosch wasn't able to provide the units to the distributor in time. There were unexpected delays due to massive unanticipated demand.
Big factories can't always adjust to produce unanticipated demand. JJP can't just hire twice as many people and have access to twice as much operating space simply because they have twice as many orders to fulfill. Forecasts are only effective when they're accurate and as I mentioned before, I don't think there were many people who accurately predicted the effects of this damn virus.
I suppose JJP might have an idea of how many pins they are producing daily and they could therefore look at the order list and using "first come, first served" method, predict how many days it will take to reach each distributor. But then, that's not allowing for any delays from parts not arriving in time for example.
All I know is it's absolutely silly for us to just assume they're being dicks cause they don't know better or don't care.

That said, my lying Bosch sales guy is a dick.
: )

Wait for everyone to get their Covid vaccine and see how many vacations get booked. Many people who are paying for pinball machines now will be jetting off to somewhere tropical with their families.
I expect there’s a lot of those funds currently being spent on pinball machines.
No reason to think prices will drastically reduce, but maybe subside, somewhat?
I would bet we won’t see the same level of demand for resale games.

And then there’s overhead and volume to consider. If a distributor outside of the States has to cover all their expenses from a smaller client base, prices have to be increased.

Very informative, thanks for sharing!
So I guess they ARE just being dicks. : )
Either that or companies this size don’t have paid staff members with the experience required to forecast like you have exampled. Let’s not forget the size and management limitations of Stern and JJP. If they had staff members with training able to predict the effects of Covid, and were able to evolve quickly, they’d probably have to charge even more for games.
These are (in my opinion) small manufacturing companies that we’re dealing with. Companies that continue to struggle with simple recurring play field issues that shouldn’t still be problems. (Hopefully resolved, but only recently)

Still, the whole concept or adapting, as you have explained, is pretty interesting.
I truly wonder how capable Stern and JJP are when it comes to stuff like this. Even Stern right now has back orders so it would appear that JJP is not alone in this regard.

Well I'm glad I was finally able to convince you to see the light!
: )

I wonder if JJP considered how fortunate they were with the licensee on GnR and increased the price by $1000 recognizing that maybe future pins won’t be as “full” and may not seem like good value at the same price?
So increase GnR by $1000 knowing that next release lists for regular price and doesn’t seem like poor value, in comparison.

Probably more like “demand is high, let’s strike while the iron is hot!” Since they’re in business to make money, but who knows?

I was put off by the $1000 increase (over $1440 for us Canadians after exchange and taxes) and really not impressed by the thought of having to wait 5-6 months (and maybe more, who knows?) to get one, but put an order in this last week after hearing how great the game is by a friend.
If the game is great, I expect it will hold its value or at least most of it. I’m more concerned with the resale price than I am with the initial outlay, as that determines my true cost to play.

I could not be in greater agreement with your recent posts.
Look at the for sale ads here on Pinside. Nearly everyone selling a pin is asking top dollar for whatever they're listing.
God forbid JJP should also try to get top dollar for the pins they sell. (And they have real overhead to consider)
FYI: I ordered a GNRLE last week at the new higher price. Sucks, but I'm hearing that it's worth it so I'm taking the plunge.
Looking froward to enjoying it when it finally arrives, many months from now.

Yeah, I wasn’t convinced, even after watching videos and reading reviews but a buddy got one recently and he’s usually pretty reliable and honest about new pins. Not a “my new pin is the best ever” kind of guy.
He said it’s “exceptional” and on par with AC/DC and Metallica which is saying a lot.
So I think it’s at least good enough to buy, play for a while, and then resell at a slight loss when I’m done with it if it’s not all I’m hoping it will be.

Wrong thread.

“Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders“

-Baz Luhrmann

Dude, you’ve provided more than ample explanation as to why you’re not supportive of the price hike. There’s no right or wrong, that’s your opinion to make.
Nobody else seems to be grabbing pitchforks or torches though so why not just say “Too much for me, I’m out!” And leave it at that? I promise you it will be far less frustrating than fighting a never-ending battle on Pinside about minimum wages and capitalism.

Right? The thought of working after retirement (even part time) makes my stomach churn.
But putting in a few shifts a week building pins and getting paid for it?
I mean, I suppose like any job, it might be “just work” after a week/day/hour, but it’s got to be way more fun than loan applications!