Some of you guys will never learn. 5 grand deposits to your distributor because he is a "great guy". I'm not talking about any one in particular, but what makes you think some of these distributors aren't either "on the verge of closing shop", "having an unfortunate accident - throwing their business into upheaval" or simply going to disappear. This debacle has demonstrated the classic circle jerk of finger pointing. Why are you all so afraid to bring or send your game back to the distributor for a return? I just have trouble understanding how you all are caught in the middle of a shitty situation and simply don't extricate yourself at a cost if the problem is so bothersome. Is it that your desire for the game outweighs your disappointment in receiving junk? Take your lick and return the POS. If it cost a couple grand, so what?
While there are a few people who are actually working toward a solution, it seems most of you are quite satisfied with your bendover as long as you have a public forum to whine upon. If you all just returned your machines, you'd be a lot better off than owning some high-dollar toy that reminds you of getting screwed every time you look at it. I like Ice's attitude on the thing. He's going to play the shit out of it and if the playfield decay becomes intolerable, he'll deal with it then - probably by dumping the POS at a loss. None of this "I see three inserts have minor ghosting that can only be seen when the game is turned of so I'm going to wring my hands until the game heals or it's too late to do anything about it."
Face the simple truths. You will not "make" Stern or your distributor do ANYTHING. Sometimes deals go south. Stern is not going to jeopardize the future of their business any more than they have already by continuing to ship problem machines. If they start shipping out 500 new populated playfields in a recall-like situation, they might as well turn out the lights. Many businesses have been killed by less. This situation is likely a real threat to their survival.
Your option 2 is a classic case of throwing good money behind bad. And secondly, how much do distributors make on an 8 grand game? Most are price-whoring because they simply see their role as gatekeeper to keep you off Stern's back. Did you ask the return policy when you wrote your check?
It goes like this: "Hey, Bob, I'm pumped on ordering this $7500 toy for my basement, but what happens if I end up with a lemon? You know, I'm used to having the best of everything and if I see any flaws or imperfections, I'm expecting you to make it right."
Please forgive my insensitivity as I can't understand any of this nonsense. Shit has gone wrong and I'm sorry to say EVERYONE is going to pay. It's not like you can go bully the girl behind the customer service counter at walmart. Unlike a simple refund of your money at walmrt, this problem doesn't have a cost effective solution from the manufacturers or distributors side. Stern and your distributors are handling this debacle in the most cost-effective way for them. If you don't like it, pay the toll and return or dump the POS.
Quoted from MikeS:You guys are making way too much out of this than it's worth. Even if they charge your card it's still totally worth it. As long as you return your playfield right away it will be credited back to your account before any interest accrues.
Option 1: Stern Sends you a box and you send in your old playfield. You wait weeks to months for them to swap all the used components of your bad playfield onto a brand new playfield and ship it back to you. Your credit card is never charged.
Option 2: Stern sends out a brand new populated playfield and the Distributor charges your card $5000. You receive the new playfield and install it in your game and promptly ship your old playfield back. The distributor credits your card the $5000.
Option 2 is far and away the best way to go. It's likely to be a better build if you get a fresh/new playfield with all new parts vs. one where they depopulate your game and move the old parts over. Plus you don't have any downtime or waiting. Neither option ends up costing you a cent.