Maybe ALF. Maybe not...

I think people will be surprised as to the pricing coming on anything NEW after the move and re-tool. Folks don't think that there is much inflation, but there is. My guess is that manufacturers know it and will ask for the world. Face it, this company has not had real issues in selling product, maybe ever. Slow times, yes, but overall they are "value based". I've only owned one brand new "NIB" and it was a JJP. The quality and fit and finish will be there along with more and more electronic fun stuff. My guess is that whatever the theme, the entry will be heavily into the 5 digits. In the end it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you look and "core value" in 2-5 years as a percentage. To me, a new run of POTC would be a much better way to go. Tried and true with updated electronics would trump buying a used one any day. Bad part is that JJP has seen them going for as high as upper teens and will price the new run accordingly. The average Joe won't be able to justify 15-16K for a new one, but collectors and wealth will.

But why do a new run on something that is selling (and in demand) for 10K when the aftermarket is trading them in area of ~16K?

3 X 7000 (Stern) = $21,000
1 X 10,500 (JJP) = $10,500 in revenue. Lets just agree that the cost to produce is "slightly" higher on the JJP, as a percentage, Stern will make more "profit" times 3.

No doubt that the JJP is a nicer piece of equipment - fit and finish wise. I believe the display alone makes it worth a grand more. In the end though it is about resale. The JJP will hold up better and the true "home run" will actually appreciate. That said, the home runs are few. I personally could care less about Guns and Roses. Not interested in the band nor having the theme in my basement. As nice as the theme-music-and callouts were on Hobbit, I can't imagine listening to Guns and Roses over and over. It has to be something the masses want or it will never be a big hit. The casual guest you have to your house will cream when they see any new pin, either JJP or Stern. They'll play it a few times and then leave. You however have to love it and so do others who play games regularly. 10 grand + is a lot of money. Even under the best of care (and we all care for our stuff), these are depreciating assets unless they are kept NIB in a controlled climate. None of these are Ferraris and no pin made today is a Focus. Some just have landau tops and white walls - options that won't mean Jack in 20 years. The average 10 grand + pin from JJP will be worth what a good Williams pin from 1990 is worth today in 30 years.

My point wasn't 10.5 or 12.5, it was 50% (or thereabouts) more than an equivalent Stern. The revenue on each Stern might be less, but as the caller stated, they sell 3 to 1, that's 3x profits as well. Is there 4K+ more in a JJP? only you can decide. I do think they build a better machine, but not sure it is 50% more...