Quoted from shacklersrevenge:You know what? You're wrong. They can and they will, maybe...but not from ME.
Honestly, I'm completely with you in the disgust over the direction Stern has taken. I've been a big supporter of Stern and really want them to continue to succeed. But in the current negative column:
- Unfinished code (With respect to Markmon, what is finished? However, make the public statement that code is considered complete or an update is in fact planned. It's laughable you have a social media strategy yet can't effectively communicate with your customers. Broken strategy)
- Quality issues (no need to elaborate. Get some things will need tweaks, but it's getting worse than tweaks. Always had a reputation of standing by product and excellent customer service - first time coming into question.
- Backlog
- Disti locking in floor pricing is total BS
- Pricing is way out of control. But as other posters mentioned, they will keep raising until people in the community show them they've gone to far and stop buying.
I hate to say it, but nothing will change. And this pisses me off on the pricing - but freakin everyone in the community is to blame.
People made videos to beg to be a Super Batman 66 "special buyer" for $15k!! Star Wars, which isn't even out yet or any pics leaked, reportedly has waiting lists with distributors for LEs that will likely exceed admittedly their own expected allotment. Don't believe me, call one up!!
On pricing, as a consumer I'm pissed. And I used to buy NIB games all the time just like Rai posted. No more. But if I'm Stern, I'd do similar. For every badbilly and Rai, there is a (insert name here) who throws money at Stern to be the first to get a NIB LE. To each their own. But when running a business, as long as the register keeps filling up with cash and selling out with backlogs - some customers may be pissed and that stinks, but can't please everyone. Please the ones still paying. Sucks to read but that's the truth.
Lastly, I encourage Highway, Dutch, Spooky and JJP to consider discussions of a few of them merging. Yes, they each have a nitch play - but coming together to consolidate manufacturing and speed to market would really give Stern a kick in the ass. Right now, it's a pimple on a cheek they squeeze (with no disrespect intended).