Quoted from Bublehead:That is a poor analogy because Tickle Me Elmo’s don’t sell for $8300, are not manufactured 100% by hand, do not take 170+ days to be delivered, and cost probably $2.53 in parts and labor to manufacture. Their distribution chain is somewhat different than a high end collectible coin op amusement device. When I want a TME doll, I go to Walmart, not call a Sesamee Street distributor and ask him if he can get me a doll, or if I can get a spot on his waiting list.
It's not the same product, but a limited edition pinball table sold through distributors and a supply-limited toy sold through retailers give us the same effect: shopping around for a merchant to find the item.
Whether calling distributors for MBrLE's or driving to every Walmart in town for a TME doll, you're at the mercy of whoever sells the item. It's not the manufacturer's fault, unless you consider under-producing a fault.
Quoted from Bublehead:The distributor model that Pinball uses is an outdated and btoken model that just perpetuates a shifting and unloyal customer base.
Perhaps. Middle men are often unpopular. Why doe my cars have to go through a dealer? Why do my votes have to go through an electoral college?
Clearly CGC (and Stern, and JJP, and Spooky) like the distributor model. Farming out part of their business makes life easier for them, just like farming out IT or HR or accounting may.
There's opportunity for the distributor to make life easier for you too. Lots of people like their distributors. That's not your experience, and I certainly can't blame you for your distaste. I'm just saying your distaste shouldn't be directed to CGC, any more than you should hate Walmart for the TME frenzy, or your local car dealer for being unable to find a blue Jeep for you.
Quoted from Bublehead:All I was asking for was a safe place in the que, a little communication, and that I get my machine delivered in accordance to the moment I ordered it. When Joe Blow off the street can get a machine on a whim, and a current, fully paid customer, who has been waiting 160 plus days on delivery of something ordered on day 1 can not, your distributor network is broken and you are loosing customers with every situation like this that occurs.
I hope you get your table soon. I really do. It stinks to wait that long for anything, especially when you have a sizable deposit. Especially when you can see them floating out into the wild.
If you do this again, I would ask:
1) What's your initial allocation of LE tables?
2) How deep am I in line?
3) If my table is damaged in delivery, what is my recourse?
Of course, you could always join me and do an SE instead! Lots cheaper and the only big loss is the topper. Heck, buy one today and join me at MGC this weekend! You might still have time to get the show deal. ($500 off)