I just bought an LE from Gameroom Guys. Really like the bright art and the extra playfield goodies were worth it to me.

Have you seen a LE for less than $8195 delivered? I paid that through Game room guys. Did not see it any cheaper and I am told all LEs are sold out.

Cool, what did you pay delivered?

Sounds like a deal. I guess I did not think much about the price as I knew it would sell out within hours. If this title is as big of a hit as I think it will be people leaving them in the boxes will probably get $10k+ a year later. Anyway, we have 1/500 of what I believe to be the best looking new pin in 20 years.

There is an LE on eBay for $8,495 buy-it-now.

I agree, but look at the pre-order on this thing. If they can sell out LEs in a few hours ($4,000,000 in sales) and take a few hundred orders more of premiums and pros I don't see them breaking their necks to do much more.

If nothing else, Pinside is good entertainment. It is interesting to watch people bash Stern for their "shortcomings" while Stern continues to develop and deliver pinball machines in good quantities. Overall, my experience with these machines has been pretty much trouble free and I do not see lacking "code" for the most part. What I do see is a company that has weathered the storm of EM to SS and then the video game revolution. They not only made it through the storm, they have built a very nice modern factory and continue move forward.

No, they do not have an LCD screen. Yes, some code may be lacking for some people. Could they do better? Sure? Is any other manufacturer doing better? How long has Hobbit taken since first announced? How about MMR? Think you could start up and build/support a better product? Would you be willing to risk $10M of your own money to start up? Think you could negotiate licensing contracts? Think you could hire quality employees? How about holding it all together and maintaining a quality support network and a supplier network?

The numbers speak for themselves. GB LE is completely sold out. It took less than a day - even those holding out for higher prices sold out under a day. Even older games in excellent condition like TSPP, LOTR, and others bring more money than they sold for new. Stern is doing something right. Furthermore, they bring product to the market that pretty much works right out of the box. It is well tested before it is released. I am sure a color DMD is coming. Don't want a red display? Then don't buy the machine. You will be in the minority.

I have owned quite a few Bally/Williams games along with Monopoly, LOTR, X-Men LE, and TSPP. I have liked every one of them and did not lose a dime on any of them. The fact that they sell used within 5 days of posting them tells me there is demand. As long as there is demand things are actually pretty good.

It is funny that pinball in many ways is the same as General Aviation. Back in the 1960s-early 1990s aviation was on fire. New planes were selling out every year by multiple manufacturers. And then technology (interstate highways, air line deregulation, smart phones, high speed internet) came and slowed down aviation considerably. You no longer needed a plane to visit people due to technology. However, the main players in the game never got out. Cessna and Beechcraft stayed in and continued to build their tried and true product slowly bringing it into the future. They are still here today and are profitable while others come and go with their great ideas leaving people with expensive unsupported aircraft. Likewise, Garmin International has built a wonderful avionics selection and continues to well, but gets the same flaming from pilots claiming that Garmin "does not do enough." Well, if you ever had to deal wit the FAA you would see why they have to hold back. It is not easy to run any business and boutique products like airplanes and pinball are really tough.

So, if you truly hate Stern keep playing your old EMs and Williams games and move on. Griping about Stern is not going to keep one person from buying what they like.

Yeah, I agree with you there - but then again, you have to be a good businessman and have a good product to get someone to lend you $10M. I see Stern doing VERY well in the next few years if the economy hangs in there. There are a lot of people with cash in their pockets ready to drop money in these toys. They like the nostalgia and think of the machines somewhat like collector cars.

Unfortunately, with this transition some people get left behind. Prices go up and they can no longer afford to buy new, but there are plenty of good used machines out there for sale.

I would have bought 5 of them if I could have for $8100 shipped each. This is going to be the most sought after Stern machine ever.

ColorDMD will be able to do wonders with the display.

I am rearranging my game room layout just due to this game. This is a machine that needs to be seen due to the exceptional art. I am going to put GB LE and MMR against the wall sideways back to back as they both have great artwork and color. The magnetic slings, googles, etc are a huge bonus and just make me even more motivated to make this pin the focal point in the room. When the ColorDMD is ready this one will be a keeper.

I will predict that this will be the #1 all time game. If it is 1/3 as good as all the hype my LE will stay in my collection for a very long time.

Yeah, rather interesting. People like to complain about something they don't have. The LE in this machine is going to be the #1 game ever. People griping about the magnetic slings is laughable. LE's will be bringing $10k+ very shortly. This machine is a work of art that will make any game room pop.

Hard to argue that Stern is screwing up when they sold 1000 LE's at $8K+ in less than 12 hours.

I like the idea of a decked out machine in limited numbers with a higher price.

They are building pinball like car manufacturers build vehicles. Ford, for instance: Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch. $15k difference in price from low to high.

Settled up with Game Room Guys today for my LE. They were told end of month.