Quoted from NPO:

It will become new policy if people keep buying. If we stop buying, maybe they'll fix the problem, but for now, there are too many rabid fan boys throwing money at them. We are our own worst enemy.

Quoted from MapleSyrup:

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.

Quoted from beelzeboob:

all while prices continue to rise and quality declines, then being nice will accomplish nothing. I actually think customers have been too nice up to this point.

Quoted from PinballAlley:

The notice was headed as "New Language on the front of the service and operations manual." That as the pinball market continues to expand globally that they needed to add language to the front cover of service and operations manuals. "The language is intended to inform new participants in pinball about common occurrences associated with the game including dimpling, crazing, and ghosting." Stern goes on to further assure that "The language does not impact our warranty coverage." We stand behind our products and services. I must state that in my years of dealing with Stern , they have been great when it comes to making things right. I have had only one issue that was contentious. In the end Stern saw that I felt strongly about the issue and gave in. Because of this I must give the guys at Stern the benefit of the doubt. I have no unhappy Stern customers to date. I must admit that the notice left a queasy feeling in my stomach. Perhaps there is a "Legalese" issue with overseas rules and regulations that made the legal department deem this necessary. Right now there is too little to speculate. The real point of my post was that it is always best to err on the side of caution. In this case, look at what you are going to buy before you pay for it.
-J