Quoted from phoenixpin:

Although there are a small few things people quibble with on Houdini (fonts, animations, chipping playfield near scoops, etc), there is honestly only one real flaw with Houdini - shots are too tight/geometry is off. Were this single thing not a problem Houdini would be an all time great game - it has the code, rules, immersion, lights, art, mechs, etc. Some players just hate how it shoots (they’re right about it not being an A+ shooter) but then see other problems that are really marginal at best. For example, it’s silly to say a catapult shot across the play field is boring because it’s been done before (certainly it hasn’t been done as impressively before), when Stern layouts are copied over and over again.

Quoted from Thermionic:

Pinball is the only “high-end” hobby I am aware of where the prevailing expectation seems to be to “have the cake and eat it too”! For example, no one in the audiophile or astronomy hobbies (where lots of stuff costs as much or more than a NIB pin and is equally frivolous in the grand scheme of things) expects to break even, let alone profit, from the sale of anything they bought NIB.

Quoted from JodyG:

As someone who was considering going after an Oktoberfest, that thread was enough to steer me away from API for the time being. I'd rather spend my money with more established companies.

Quoted from JodyG:

Did Stern not send out new playfields, free of charge?

Quoted from dung:

Just Ghostbusters? Stern has a track record of nib headaches. Chicago Coin has its own history, newest being the cab decals tearing buddies nib mb tore within days of opening. Their solution? Send a new decal that he can install himself... JJP had plenty of problems too (WOZ playfields that flaked, lightboard issues, etc). Just about every manufacturer has some negative press in their past.
That said, I'd buy from AP, Spooky, or JJP at this point. Will not touch a new stern with a 10 foot pole. Would rather let someone else buy one, give it a year or two to know it doesn't have issues. Stern can go stuff themselves. Chicago coin is too hit or miss (mmr playfields with too little black ink, tearing cab decals).