Quoted from lowepg:The order process for JJP #3 will tell us everything there is to know about the health of JJP. I've long since stopped believing ANYTHING Jack say. He's shown a complete disdain for the truth and a willingness to say anything to keep people on preorders.
Similar to football: I played linebacker and the rule was, don't watch their eyes, you watch their belt buckle to know where they're going. With JJP, their beltbuckle is preorder money.
If JJP moves to a $500-$1000 down, balance due upon shipment- then things are rosy! Rejoice!
If JJP has some convoluted program where more than a modest downpayment is due, then I'm worried.
As a long-time (B/W) PL fanboy, Im anxiously awaiting info on Pat's game (and hoping it ZERO resemblance to the leaked info).... so Im really hoping for the later.
I do find it interesting that people associate the existence of the pre-order model as a barometer of JJP's future success. If I was Jack, I would continue the model for as long as the market would allow. What is clear is that early pre-orders have been awarded cheaper machines (even with time value of money considered). The downside has been the wait. So if one is fine with the wait, it appears that everyone is a winner with this pre-pay model. It really doesn't seem to harm those that don't want to do it either. At least not too much. Those parties seem to pay a little more and have to wait a little longer.
All parties though appear to be getting awesome machines. I say "appear" because TH hasn't shipped yet. It does though seem to be a reality in the coming months and all will be playing lots of pinball!
When I look at a companies success, I look at two things above anything else. I look at the product and how they support their customers. So far, JJP has done well in those two categories. They need to close the development cycle. That is clearly what is killing them. Long term they can't have a machine once every two years. Just not sustainable.