I think what Stern is trying to say with this clause is, "if your playfield is fu@%ed, we're going to take care of you, but can we please stop the nitpicky minutia of searching for imperfections, and demanding museum quality production??!". It's simply not attainable.

That's me reading between the lines. I think they've been inundated with super minor complaints, and simply CAN NOT afford to replace populated playfields over hairline insert ghosting that has zero effect on the machine. They need to bring expectations back down to reality somehow. This is a shot across the bow. Again... it's just a guess.

I'm getting an Aerosmith and and AC/DC VE. You can take me at my word that if either of these machines have ghosting inserts, I will document the cosmetic issue, and alert Stern and my Distro.

I will say something like, "I've noticed a few cosmetic imperfections. As long as they don't progress, or cause premature failure in the clear, I have no issue. Looking forward to enjoying these amazing games!". Beyond that... I will not care. I won't give it another thought as I play the crap out of my incredible new pins.

Pinball production is a massively complicated venture. The machines are incredibly complex in their construction. Production must be a crazy unicycle juggling act, taking place on a tightrope.

I think this is Stern asking people to be reasonable.

People will make the same arguments... "For what they're charging, we DEMAND perfection", "They're charging a Premium price, I demand a Premium Product!", "Theyre selling us "LE" models for stupid price increases, They created this problem!!"

At the end of the day, you're buying a super complicated mechanical amusement device. No matter how much you pay, or how limited the edition, or what steps are taken during production, and distribution... you can't change the fact that you're buying a PINBALL MACHINE. The nature of the product didn't change just because people got more demanding.

Rage on folks, but I'm going to go enjoy my pinball machines both old and new, and the MOMENT Stern announces another pinball machine that I want to own... I'll be buying it. Along with thousands of other people, who's expectations of a pinball machine are "Enjoyment" or "Revenue" or some combination of both.

Happy Flipping everybody

I think you misunderstand the word hypocritical. I've stated EXACTLY how I feel. If I were to receive a pin with minor cosmetic issues, and then go on a tirade about said minute imperfections being unacceptable... THAT would be hypocritical.

I have 22 pinball machines. Gottlieb, Bally, Williams, Stern, JJP, and Spooky... They ALL have issues, and imperfections... and I don't care!

I don't want to argue, I just want to try to present an opposing viewpoint to all the oppressive negativity here.

I'm always very clear when I sell a pin what, if any, imperfections it has. I send plenty of pics with details. I would NEVER sell a pin to somebody who was overly obsessed with minute cosmetic imperfections... I simply don't have time for that headspace. It's not what pinball is about for me.

Have you played Aerosmith?!! It's Sofa King Fun!!!! I want one. I'm looking forward to playing it at home. I don't expect it to be perfect. I expect it to be a blast.

I TOTALLY agree with you. I'm not saying I don't give a shit about QC. I just think there is currently an unreasonable expectation afoot. I think issues are appearing because production is difficult. Almost nobody else can do it!!

If you want perfection, don't buy a pinball machine... from any manufacturer, from any era!

I agree with you though, and I would wager BIG dollars that Stern is doing everything they can to illiminate imperfections. Maybe it'll happen. Maybe it already has?! Doesn't matter to me. It's not going to affect my enjoyment of the games.

I think there's a world of difference between, "Hey, I've noticed these cosmetic flaws. They don't bother me, but I'm going to keep and eye on them", vs "My playfield has 3 unacceptable minor cosmetic flaws. This is NOT what I paid for. I demand a populated playfield replacement immediately!!"

I do think you misunderstand the intention of my posts. I WANT Stern to illiminate whatever production issues they can. I want them to stand behind their product to a reasonable standard.

Most importantly, this is supposed to be fun. Sorry if it seemed like I was hammering a point unreasonably. I was just trying to express what I took away from the new language in the manual. I think it's Stern reacting to what they've been dealing with. I still have faith in them as a company, and I'm still excited about what's coming down the line.

Happy Flipping all. I'm out.