Quoted from Chet_Hardbody:Note: I'm completely new to pinball, so my opinions could be wildly incorrect. Please feel free to tell me I am an idiot.
As someone who has played pinball casually in arcades and has been looking to get my own pin, the way they are marketed and sold have turned me off a bit. At already almost $6,000 for the entry model for a new Stern, you would think you'd be getting a complete pin. Except if you don't shell out an additional $1,700, you miss out on some features. For example, if you want your damn T-Rex to eat a ball, you better pay for the Jurassic Park (Premium).
I understand that a lot of sales likely go to arcades, bars, and private businesses, but for the average person this seems pretty anti-consumer. I don't plan on buying a NIB any time soon, with this being part of the reason why.
Stern makes premiums by design, and then they decide what mechs/gimmicks to take out to lower the price for a pro. They then go back to the premium and change the art, a couple of design items, make a limited number, and call them the LE edition.
I like having multiple options. As far as which has most value, that is up to the individual. I think it comes down to the main gimmick/toy. If you have to have it, you are in for a premium. If you prefer fewer toys and more flow, the pro is probably your choice. If you must have every single extra...then the LE is the way to go. I suppose it also depends on what features you seek in your pins (toys, light show, art, sound, etc)
There are several threads covering various pins "value" for each level. I would definitely search those if you have a particular title in mind. As for me, these are high dollar toys anyway, so I don't mind spending the extra for the features. Most often, I feel that the premium is the best choice. Some titles are great as pros (or pros with a few mods), and very few are preferred as LEs for me.