Stop giving them your money.

We know they skipped a few machines this year because of part shortages.
And they defiantly had a node board "supply" issue where they were prioritizing new manufacturing; rather than "right to repair"
I don't see them changing that behavior because let's be honest - they just don't funking care about the end customer.
As a group they "care" but not about the individual.

Sadly; I stopped buying Stern back when they began cost cutting while simultaneously razing prices and shipping low quality machines. I also won't give JJP any of my money for that very reason. That said; I'm not an operator so understand that might change my opinion.

It is how you treat a customer... When you don't care

I call bullsh1t. "pansy newbies " deserve their machines functional every bit as much as you "Ops".

I have an out of warranty paper weight that I couldn't even get decent tech support on.
Took months to get a half ass response from them. Eventually; I had to fix it myself by "shot gun" troubleshooting.

So; I get it - it hurts when these things are suppose to make you money... but EVERYONE deserves support and parts.

OPs DO NOT deserve special treatment. period.

Nah. Stern just blocks you if you post anything even close to negative.
You only can post a public Story on your own wall and hope it goes virial

Buy two. Designate one as a part machine

Sounds like a new TShirt campaign is in order...
"Stern, Where's my Parts"?

Need to have a sea of them in time for Expo.

yes. that's where I was going with that.
I had one of the where's the code shirts and wore it to many shows.
A year or so later; Stern started doing the right thing and releasing better code and more updates.
I think they may be returning to their old ways now tho.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/make-jan-31st-stern-code-post-day

I'm thinking now is the time to repeat this with a new slogan for this issue.

Oh; and if you do make a shirt... make it available for sale somewhere... like the flashinstinct did for #whereisthecode so I can buy and where one. That said; I'll need/require 5X-6XLT to be wearable.

Where are those Tshirts online?

both.
They got their money from you via your distributor. That is when their service ended.
Hopefully; this recession will hurt them big time. (but not holding my breath)

Stop
Buying
Stern
Games

Issue the charge back; send an email to your distributor that you wish to return the game (at their cost) at the same time.
The poster ViperVS lives in ... likely a europe country with better consumer rights.

The point is we all know that Stern won't take a game back... and neither will a distributor.
As a result; "lemon law" should apply - but won't.
The only way stern corrects this behavior is to actually get pressure from multiple sources.
That pressure isn't great enough yet.

Operators? Again; with the high praise for yourself.
Look; I get you want to be the center of the universe... but EVERYONE deserves warranty parts.
Not just you because you have the preconceived notion that you deserve special treatment because you operate a business.

Go buy Pinball Brother's pinball machines and stop buying Stern.
If you can't bring yourself to show Stern the door after they way you've been treated... then you really have no further business bitching.

Try not making this about your lofty Operator self... and try making about everyone who can't get parts.

I don't.
I don't even hate the Op.
What I hate is people thinking they should get special treatment. We all do it... But the op shouldn't be trying to paint his needs in a better light than others

If you continue to buy product from Stern in this climate, you are to blame