Quoted from PanzerFreak:

...
I said that Metallica is the only modern Stern pro to offer metal ramps and rails. That's not the case with other pro's for some reason. Metallica also has several unique interactive toys / features yet that's not the case with every pin the company makes.
Also, I posted the picture because Stern is advertising metal ramps and rails as a feature. Have you ever seen them mention plastic ramps as a game feature? Like I said there's nothing wrong with plastic ramps and rails at the pro price point. However, at the higher price points metal ramps and rails is nice option to have as it helps to justify the price. We see the same type of things with car companies all the time. Standard rims and cloth seats on a regular model but chrome rims and leather seats on a higher end one.

Quoted from PinChili:

I highly doubt the distributors who have Hobbit on order are paid in full (which probably accounts for the majority of the games). No way. But aside from that, it has already been 2 and a half years since the announcement of Hobbit and the start of taking pre-orders. How many people at JJP are salaried employees and what would your guess of average salary be? How many hourly workers are there? How much does a factory of that size cost monthly to keep open? How much money is spent on marketing, travel, WOZ warranty support, etc. etc.? How much profit do you think JJP can make on any one game? I think they probably lost money on the 1000 ECLE WOZ's (especially considering the number that were sold at the initial $6500 price point.) Considering how efficient and disciplined (particularly on BOM cost) Stern has had to become to turn a profit (much less stay alive) I just can't see how JJP is not struggling financially.
In the end, all I'm saying is it would be nice for some industry veterans to do some analysis based on their own experience and try to quantify just how real the risk is for customers.

Quoted from TimeBandit:

I tend to agree with you, but I'm actually starting to disconnect Jack with the machine. I bet he's been diluted further than we know. I wouldn't be surprised if the company moves on into the future without him. Just thinkin' out loud.

Quoted from DCFAN:

Jack has been posting in the google group.

Quoted from spfxted:

Should he not express an opinion?

Quoted from beelzeboob:

Note to Shapeshifter: Stop writing with invisible ink.

Quoted from wcbrandes:

yes and you don't have your balls on the line financially tied to a company that people are trying to hurt.... do I say on purpose I don't mean anything by this, just to point out it can go on forever depending on your OWN opinions and where you are coming from. Jack sometimes deserves what he gets and perhaps so do others on here, myself included. Point is no ones right, no ones wrong, they are all opinions and we are all allowed to have them. Now arguing about them...............

Quoted from lowepg:

Wrong about what? Do tell?
Wrong about JJP stringing people along? Doubtful.
But, look at it this way:
Either JJP has misled people on the REAL production situation OR they are completely inept at production planning. Pick.
Personally, I don't think think Jack is particularly stupid or inept.... Quite the opposite. However, I DO think he has zero problem misleading folks on delivery because the "end justifies the means" in his mind. AND, more specifically, I think he knows if he had been honest with people on WoZ (and, sadly, now TH), he wouldn't be in business today.