My GOT playfield inserts started sinking after 40 plays... Long story short, Stern is not going to replace it (surprise, surprise). Stern rant over. The real question is what should I do to prevent damaging the clear around the inserts? The inserts are sinking, so the damage is starting to show. I'm hesitant to try and level them on a newer game. My understanding is that the routered lip that the insert sits on is too low. I've also considered purchasing a plastic playfield protector to avoid damage. What would you guys recommend?

These pics were taken at the start of the sinking. I'm now up to 600 plays and it's taking it's toll. The wildfire left side black paint is now gone. The LOCK insert is starting to chip on the left side. Several others are sinking to a lesser degree. Wildfire definitely affects ball travel.

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To be fair, I am the second owner. Bought it with less than 40 plays. Sinking started shortly thereafter. I did attempt to go through the distributor, who passed along the request. 4 months after Stern accepted the request, no answer. While I'd love to take them to small claims court for a very well known manufacturers defect, it's not good for my blood pressure. C'est la vie...

He said that it's obviously defective. He said he would do what he could to help, but no guarantees. That's all I could ask of him. I personally didn't put any money in his pocket...

The cause, I was told, is inconsistent routing of the lower lip that the insert sits on.

I'm assuming that the epoxy is stronger on a newer game, compared to 20 years old.

I don't want to mention names, but I believe he's a well known and respected dist.

They “accepted my request to review the game,” for whatever that is worth. It definitely doesn’t sound like it has been approved. I emailed Pat for clarification. I’ll archive the thread right now if I’m simply waiting for a pf. I was really just looking at alternatives as I think Stern has told me to pack sand...

Previous owner had already informed his distributor of the sale.

Vid’s guides are great and I’ve used them many times. Performing some of the repairs is also easier said than done. Taking an exacto knife to a $4k 2 year old pf is no easy feat.

Welp, I got a call from Stern today asking for more photos. The jury is still out. Just a little bit of communication from them would go a long way! 4 months with not a word is too much in any form of business. Again, I don't place any blame on the distributor. I didn't purchase the machine from him, I bought it very slightly used. He did help me get the ball rolling. I knew it was a long shot as I was the second owner. I look at it like a car purchase, though! When I bought my slightly used car, it was still under warranty. That warranty conveys to the new owner (I know that pinball warranty's are paper thin). For a quality issue as rampant and widespread as this, however, I don't only feel like it's the "right thing to do/ moral responsibility," I almost feel like it's a legal responsibility. These pins cost almost as much as a pretty sweet used car! Has Stern lost a lot of money during the GB/GOT ordeal? I'm sure. Hopefully they'll learn from it, beef up the QA program, and customer service experience while they're at it. And that 2009 used car of mine? I just got two recalls yesterday...

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Newest pictures I submitted to Stern yesterday showed enough damage that I'm now getting a new playfield! Thanks for the help...

Yep! I'm swapping a BOP right now. Not looking for more work...