Just preordered a Rush LE for $14999 Legit?

Hi all, first post actually and thought I’d share todays preorder experience to get reactions.

Of course, like others experienced many dealers/distributors sold out of their LEs in minutes. Others simply didn’t post the LE machines to their shops due to the amount of early interest from members exceeding their allocations.

So…after working my way from West to East across Sterns distributor contact map I found a shop willing to take a preorder.

Here’s the catch…
Their asking price was $14999, $3900 over MSRP and when I asked why they told me “it’s because we paid Stern extra to ensure their seat at the top of the manufacturing distribution list”, “allowing us to guarantee the earliest availability and delivery to buyers”.

Curious if this is inline with authorized sales practices or if it’s something I should report to Stern? Or simply shut-up and suck it up…

Any thoughts, reactions, banter??

Post last edited 2 years ago: “Added game title to post subject”

#2 2 years ago

JMR

Only_Pinball

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 141K 3,617 6

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
Here’s the catch…
Their asking price was $14999, $3900 over MSRP and when I asked why they told me “it’s because we paid Stern extra to ensure their seat at the top of the manufacturing distribution list”, “allowing us to guarantee the earliest availability and delivery to buyers”.

Any thoughts, reactions, banter??

Sounds like total bullshit to me. Who was the distributor so we all know to avoid?

#3 2 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 56,936 24 7

There is no paying Stern extra to ensure anything.

LTG : )

#4 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

sanford.gif

#5 2 years ago

BIL

TheGunnett

Pinside+ Addict

Altoona, PA

6y 122K 1,307 19 27 1

Two available $11,999

facebook.com/marketplace/shops/item/4658708180914636/

#7 2 years ago

---

ForceFlow

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-scam-game-seller-websites/

Is it a distributor listed on Stern's website, or just some random site you found on google?

If the latter, be sure to review this thread about retail/distributor scam sites:

#8 2 years ago

???

Mike_J

Pinside member

13y 99,550 5,399 58

Please name the dealer.
They are trying to screw you.

#9 2 years ago

BIL

TheGunnett

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Altoona, PA

6y 122K 1,307 19 27 1

54FA0AD0-911C-4DD2-94DB-22FA1B85747E (resized).png

#10 2 years ago

80S

80sMan

Pinside member

9y 67,800 534

Yeah, total BS. Name the dealer, it's gotta stop.

-15

#11 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from Only_Pinball:
Sounds like total bullshit to me. Who was the distributor so we all know to avoid?

It’s a pretty big operation in the Midwest. Well known and they have multiple physical store fronts… I’m reluctant to share their name just yet for a few reasons. 1, I don’t want to falsely smear their name/reputation, 2, I want to follow up with Stern directly to confirm, and 3, if it turns out to be fraudulent I want to follow up with the police first before they get any heads up that they’ve been reported.

I can share this though, if you are asked to put down a 50% deposit for a $14999 price then you’ve likely run into the same shop.

#12 2 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Quoted from TheGunnett:
Two available
facebook.com/marketplace/shops/item/4658708180914636/

homearcadegames.com is not listed as a Stern distributor.

The domain is a little over a year old. Looks like it could possibly be scam, but ICE is a legitimate arcade game manufacture, so I'm not sure why they would be selling someone else's games.

#13 2 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
It’s a pretty big operation in the Midwest. Well known and they have multiple physical store fronts… I’m reluctant to share their name just yet for a few reasons. 1, I don’t want to falsely smear their name/reputation, 2, I want to follow up with Stern directly to confirm, and 3, if it turns out to be fraudulent I want to follow up with the police first before they get any heads up that they’ve been reported.
I can share this though, if you are asked to put down a 50% deposit for a $14999 price then you’ve likely run into the same shop.

They are lying to you. Are they listed on sterns website?

#14 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Quoted from ForceFlow:
Is it a distributor listed on Stern's website, or just some random site you found on google?
If the latter, be sure to review this thread about retail/distributor scam sites:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/beware-of-scam-game-seller-websites/

They are indeed listed on the official Stern website and distributor page.

#15 2 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
They are listed on the official Stern distributor website.

Their story as to the inflated price is BS. Don’t deal with them.

#16 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from ForceFlow:
homearcadegames.com is not listed as a Stern distributor.

Yep there are: Search under New York.

Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Inc. (ICE)
Website 716-759-0370
10123 Main Street Clarence, New York 14031 United States

Having said that and searching them, I have never purchased from them just looked them up to see if it's legit.

#17 2 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Quoted from DeathHimself:
Yep there are: Search under New York.

I did--Betson comes up as the sole result.

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#18 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

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Quoted from ForceFlow:
I did--Betson comes up as the sole result.[quoted image]

Hmm, they do for me.

stern dealer (resized).jpg

#19 2 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

Quoted from DeathHimself:
Hmm, they do for me.[quoted image]

Are you searching dealers or distributors?

#20 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from chuckwurt:
Are you searching dealers or distributors?

Oh shit don't remember, option all the way on left.

#21 2 years ago

JLD

JayDee

Pinside+ Member

Elk Grove Village, IL

5y 114K 5,512 4

You guys are arguing two searches, one is distributer (forceflow), the other is dealer list (deathhimself)

#22 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

Yep it was dealer

#23 2 years ago

---

ForceFlow

https://sternpinball.com/find-a-dealer/

Ah-ha..I wasn't aware there were two separate pages.

https://sternpinball.com/find-a-distributor/

So, nevermind, it seems they check out.

#24 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from ForceFlow:
Ah-ha..I wasn't aware there were two separate pages.
https://sternpinball.com/find-a-dealer/
https://sternpinball.com/find-a-distributor/

LOL nor did I

#25 2 years ago

???

horse_cop

Pinside member

Seattle, WA

2y 21,800 42 1

I'd like to see how these supposed kickbacks to Stern go down lol.

Two guys sitting on a park bench pretending they don't know each other maybe

#26 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Quoted from DeathHimself:
Yep there are: Search under New York.
Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Inc. (ICE)
Website 716-759-0370
10123 Main Street Clarence, New York 14031 United States
Having said that and searching them, I have never purchased from them just looked them up to see if it's legit.

<EDITEd> posted late, after the above replies.

#27 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Well either way this plays out, DeathHimself is proving authorized Stern Dealers are selling for a mark up. $11999 is $900 over.

#28 2 years ago

---

ForceFlow

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
authorized Stern Dealers are selling for a mark up. $11999 is $900 over.

They would be leaving money on the table otherwise. I think everybody knows at this point that a portion of them just get bought and flipped on the spot.

#29 2 years ago

???

FlippyD

Inactive member

7y 68,300 1,568

Sounds to me like they just didn't want to say "we're trying to make as much profit as possible" and instead made up some vague wishy-washy BS to push the sale.

#30 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
Well either way this plays out, DeathHimself is proving authorized Stern Dealers are selling for a mark up. $11999 is $900 over.

Don't think Stern really cares about that too much, did you see those price tags on the EHOH 40th anniversary run? Thousands and thousands over.....

#31 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Well thanks for sharing the link TheGunnett . I should have worked my way further across the dealer map before jumping on the $15k deal. I honestly thought it was hopeless cause at that point of finding an LE.

BTW, now there is only ONE LE left at the ICE shop (homearcadegames.com) don’t ask me how I know… LOL, FML ‍♂️

#32 2 years ago

???

Mike_J

Pinside member

13y 99,550 5,399 58

Quoted from DeathHimself:
Don't think Stern really cares about that too much, did you see those price tags on the EHOH 40th anniversary run? Thousands and thousands over.....

Yep, pinball brings out some of the sleaziest businesses you will ever come across.

#33 2 years ago

BRG

IdahoRealtor

Pinside member

Eagle, ID

13y 137K 6,773 11 10

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
It’s a pretty big operation in the Midwest. Well known and they have multiple physical store fronts… I’m reluctant to share their name just yet for a few reasons. 1, I don’t want to falsely smear their name/reputation, 2, I want to follow up with Stern directly to confirm, and 3, if it turns out to be fraudulent I want to follow up with the police first before they get any heads up that they’ve been reported.
I can share this though, if you are asked to put down a 50% deposit for a $14999 price then you’ve likely run into the same shop.

I don't understand your logic here. 1. You wouldnt be falsely smearing unless your story is false. 2. No need. Their pricing explanation is baloney. 3. Again, no need. No crime was committed. You were not harmed. You said yourself they are an authorized distributor, so there is no fraud.

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#34 2 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
Well thanks for sharing the link DeathHimself. I should have worked my way further across the dealer map before jumping on the $15k deal. I honestly thought it was hopeless cause at that point of finding an LE.
BTW, now there is only ONE LE left at the ICE shop (homearcadegames.com) don’t ask me how I know… LOL, FML ‍♂️

If a place ever tells you that stern charged them more so they are charging you more, they are lying. Just hang up on them then put them on blast here. Haha

#35 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from IdahoRealtor:
I don't understand your logic here. 1. You wouldnt be falsely smearing unless your story is false. 2. No need. Their pricing explanation is baloney. 3. Again, no need. No crime was committed. You were not harmed. You said yourself they are an authorized distributor, so there is no fraud.

They could still be working the system and I want to double check with Stern first. An employee could also be taking advantage and pocketing money against the companies will or awareness. This happens a lot in the automobile aftermarket performance parts industry. Who knows…I’ll reveal the dealer as soon as I speak with a Stern rep tomorrow.

Also, I agreed to the price so if there isn’t any foul play going on it’s ultimately on me. I don’t want to blast a business I’m willfully purchasing from that’s operating within the rules.

#36 2 years ago

MAB

DeathHimself

Pinside+ Frequent

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
Well thanks for sharing the link DeathHimself. I should have worked my way further across the dealer map before jumping on the $15k deal. I honestly thought it was hopeless cause at that point of finding an LE.
BTW, now there is only ONE LE left at the ICE shop (homearcadegames.com) don’t ask me how I know… LOL, FML ‍♂️

Glad you saved a few bucks but I didn’t share that link to the dealer someone else did. I just hit the Stern site to see if they were listed with them as a dealer and not a scammer. Enjoy

#37 2 years ago

???

greeneye

Pinside member

Neabsco, VA

5y 55,550 324 3 7

I purchased a Chexx Pro from there but never a pin

-1

#38 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Quoted from DeathHimself:
Glad you saved a few bucks but I didn’t share that link to the dealer someone else did. I just hit the Stern site to see if they were listed with them as a dealer and not a scammer. Enjoy

Oh good catch, I updated the post to credit the proper source. Thanks to both!
Fingers crossed I can get my $7500 deposit back but doubtful…will most likely have to keep one in the box for a future sale/trade.

#39 2 years ago

JTJ

LesManley

Pinside member

Woodbury, MN

12y 127K 5,825 9 46

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:
Their asking price was $14999, $3900 over MSRP and when I asked why they told me “it’s because we paid Stern extra to ensure their seat at the top of the manufacturing distribution list”, “allowing us to guarantee the earliest availability and delivery to buyers”.

#40 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from greeneye:
I purchased a Chexx Pro from there but never a pin

Same here. Great game! Bought from the parent company site though, (icegame.com).

#41 2 years ago

BRG

IdahoRealtor

Pinside member

Eagle, ID

13y 137K 6,773 11 10

OP
Quoted from Shiver11:Oh good catch, I updated the post to credit the proper source. Thanks to both!
Fingers crossed I can get my $7500 deposit back but doubtful…will most likely have to keep one in the box for a future sale/trade.

Oh. I didn't know you placed an order. In that case, you haven't been harmed, per se, but you were definitely gouged and fed some salesy baloney. I recomend asking for a refund and if they refuse try disputing the charge with your CC company. Best of luck.

-1

#42 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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Quoted from IdahoRealtor:
Oh. I didn't know you placed an order. In that case, you haven't been harmed, per se, but you were definitely gouged and fed some salesy baloney. I recomend asking for a refund and if they refuse try disputing the charge with your CC company. Best of luck.

Will definitely give it a shot. Hoping Stern reacts unfavorably so that I can leverage something against their reputation. Otherwise, it’s just another salesman hustle for the record books.

#43 2 years ago

ZLM

ZMeny

Flip N Out Pinball

Evansville, IN

8y 174K 5,452 35 18 11

Selling one for 15k, sure dealers can do that. But as an authorized Stern dealer myself I can tell you that their explanation is bullshit haha. Believe me, it's not true.

#44 2 years ago

ZLM

ZMeny

Flip N Out Pinball

Evansville, IN

8y 174K 5,452 35 18 11

Plus, their website says that the price of Rush LE is $11,999.00

#45 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from ZMeny:
Selling one for 15k, sure dealers can do that. But as an authorized Stern dealer myself I can tell you that their explanation is bullshit haha. Believe me, it's not true.

Thanks ZMeny , Maybe I use their false claim against them as a way to get my deposit back.
Ironic you chimed in on my thread, I’m also in the process of buying one of your old pins

#46 2 years ago

RPD

Shiver11

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