In the end, it doesn't matter what will happen to the future values of either MM or MMR. A company made a product, priced it high(according to some), and people still came to buy it in droves.

It's like trying to argue that there is absolutely zero reason to buy a Porsche 918 when you can have a Toyota Prius. Both are hybrids, both run on gas and electric, both will get you from point A to point B. People will buy what they want regardless of the price, sometimes. I know, it's crazy, but they do. People have money and they use it to buy whatever they want. Banish the thought!

Dude, if that's truly the way you feel, you better not buy anything at Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Sam's Club, Old Navy, and about 20 other national chain stores. Nothing but what you'd consider slave labor in China making up to 80% of their products they sell. I know for Walmart, this is a documented fact. The factories that Walmart uses have working/living conditions like I've never seen before and those people work for pennies on the dollar compared to American low wage jobs. I stopped shopping at Walmart years ago for different reasons, but that just added fuel to the flames of my hatred for that company and family.

I don't think we can accurately guess what they actually make on the factory line at Stern. But I think it is safe to assume that a lot of those positions at Stern are not considered skilled labor positions. They are just as entry level as a job at McDonald's. You don't pay someone $25/hr just because you sell a product that some might call an expensive toy. You pay a wage commensurate with the skill, training, and education required to complete the tasks the job requires.

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There have been MANY threads here from MANY people who have posted photos of the assembly lines from their tours of the plant. Nevermind the multiple "How a pinball machine is built" documentaries/behind the scenes videos on Youtube.