Automated's business model is essentially this: Stock up on LE games. Inflate the prices well beyond MSRP. When the games sell out at other distros, panicked FOMO buyers will come knocking and buy the games at the inflated prices. Automated is happy, and the buyers are happy because they got a machine they thought they'd be too late to find.

It's how I got my WOZ ECLE from Mike - my first pin. I paid pretty much $1000-$1500 over MSRP for mine in 2013 (paid $9k), but they were nowhere to be found at that point. The best part, though, was that they delivered it and set it up for me since I knew nothing about pinball at that point.

Moral of the story: If you want a great deal, look elsewhere. If you want a machine that everyone else is out of, Mike's your best bet...but don't whine about the price you paid. And the customer service (in my experience) is fantastic.

Then you'll be charged double.

Yep. He's a great asset to the hobby...and I just want to clarify my earlier statement: These days, I think most distros hike prices on games once they're scarce. It's becoming a thing, sadly.

Well...I guess my theory of inflated NIB prices applies to their used games as well.