I didn't read this whole thread, but just sharing my problem.

I bought a shaker motor from Stern and installed it on my Iron Maiden. It wouldn't work. Diagnosis? Cabinet node board is faulty. Out of warranty and not even 5 months old. How was I supposed to know the board was faulty until I installed the shaker motor? I won't say I'll never buy another Stern, but I'm taking it into serious consideration in the future that they don't support their products.

I don't get how this is the distributor's problem really. Stern is the one making a faulty product and refusing to support it. Is the distributor going to lean on Stern to get the part for free or are they going to eat the cost themselves?

Stern's product support gave me a link to my distributor's node board sales page when I told them who I bought it from.....

I've already ordered it from PinballLife. I'll do better about kicking up a fuss first next time.