STERN PINBALL is taken for granted way too often......excluding Gary!

Yes i realize they sell 15,000 pinball machines a year now. There are many reasons why and most are justified.

Gotta be tough to compete with them.

Deadpool, IMDN, Beatles, Munsters, JP, Elvira, GB, AS, GOT, SW, TWD, Black Knight, GOTG, BM66, etc. are recent Stern pins. A continuous onslaught.

JJP can't seem to deliver timely pins despite having to go back to the green, yellow and red Woz production over and over again to stay alive. Still waiting on my WonkaCE.

American Pinball is trying to develop some traction. I like them and hope they get there.

CGC makes great remakes but.....they are remakes

Spooky is the boutique company everyone roots for and needs to hit it a sellout on every pin release. Danesi delivers.

Deeproot is in "deep........." Blah RAZA is just that

#2 4 years ago

MJA

Mitch

Pinside member

Wellesley, ON

10y 131K 5,030 18 38

And they have shit quality, clear pooling, warped playfields, coilstops that dont last 200 plays, terrible code release, cabs splitting, terrible power switch location, shitty node boards ect

#3 4 years ago

DRM

iceman44

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from Mitch:
And they have shit quality, clear pooling, warped playfields, coilstops that dont last 200 plays, terrible code release, cabs splitting, terrible power switch location, shitty node boards ect

Yet they still kick everyone's else ass selling 15k pins a year. LOL

Like i said, taken for granted. Totally clueless post. Tough to fight the FACTS isn't it? They just keep selling more great fun pins all the time.

#4 4 years ago

MWM

Hayfarmer

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 163K 15,950 5

I have 5 stern pins, no issues whatsoever

#5 4 years ago

DRM

iceman44

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from Hayfarmer:
I have 5 stern pins, no issues whatsoever

I have many more and love em all.

Have they had some issues? Sure.

But they are CRUSHING the competition if you could call it that.

If you don't like one pin release there are 5 more waiting for you pick from and get shipped to you right away.

#6 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

McDonalds sells more cheeseburgers than anyone...So...They are the Best? I have been wrong this whole time!!!

Well, if McDonald's did screw up a burger they would make it right atleast...

Only thing good about Stern is heighened awareness to the pinball hobby man...That’s it now...

#7 4 years ago

ROB

Rob_G

Pinside member

Regina, SK

9y 99,300 5,334 3 6

I would like to see Stern innovate more. They were supposed to have their internet based connectivity debut this year, but unless something magic happens in the next 2 weeks, it seems they have fallen behind schedule. I am glad they have smartened up and undone some of the dumb decisions they made like removing interlock switches and getting rid of those awful support pegs on pro games. They also hired more resources when it was apparent they had trouble keeping up with programming demands.

I'm looking forward to what 2020 brings.

#8 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

Well, my last post was not fair actually. People work very hard to buy these things they are proud of. Some Stern games are fun. All pinball is still pinball. Without Stern i would not be able to play on location...However, just because they sell the most burgers doesnt make em the best

#9 4 years ago

indybru

Pinside+ Frequent

Barrington, IL

9y 105K 1,683 9 11

I have no complaints out of seven Sterns only problem was ghosting on my SMVE play field. It was bad enough I got a new populated one. When the call came I picked it up from the factory and was able to play a few new ones.

#10 4 years ago

DRM

iceman44

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from tbutler6:
Well, my last post was not fair actually. People work very hard to buy these things they are proud of. Some Stern games are fun. All pinball is still pinball. Without Stern i would not be able to play on location...However, just because the selll the most burgers doesnt make em the best

These Stern pin burgers don't cost $1.50

They sell the most multi thousand dollar pins because of theme, code, layout, design, lighting, artwork, video, sound, etc. The entire package

#11 4 years ago

FIN

finman2000

Pinside+ Frequent

Bloomingdale, IL

12y 91,050 1,036 7 17

How about Stern takes their customer base for granted way too often??

#12 4 years ago

DRM

iceman44

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from finman2000:
How about Stern takes their customer base for granted way too often??

That is the risk right? Yet why do they keep selling more pins every year while 2019 will be a record sales year.

"Customer base" sales are on fire.

#13 4 years ago

RPG

tilted81

Pinside+ Addict

11y 104K 2,389 45

Quoted from tbutler6:
Well, if McDonald's did screw up a burger they would make it right atleast...

Heh. I ordered a filet-o-fish once... got back to work opened it up and took a bite. NO FUCKING FILET OF FISH ON IT! Literally a bun, cheese and tarter sauce. I was so pissed about it I went back and when I got tot the window they accused me of pulling it off and eating it so I could get another. They wouldn’t get me another sandwich. No b.s...
I was boiling pissed.

#14 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

OP
Quoted from iceman44:
These Stern pin burgers don't cost $1.50
They sell the most multi thousand dollar pins because of theme, code, layout, design, lighting, artwork, video, sound, etc. The entire package

Still frozen beef bro.

#15 4 years ago

DRM

iceman44

Pinside+ Pro!

Quoted from tbutler6:
Still frozen beef bro.

I guess people love it compared to the other options.

Maybe Stern is better compared to a Popeye's chicken sandwich versus frozen beef? LOL

Lining up for it and selling out.

#16 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

Haha! Yeah that works. I give ya that one. That’s funny

#17 4 years ago

TDR

Who-Dey

In Memoriam

9y 117K 11,746 7 12

If Stern had better Quality and good customer service they could wipe out the competition and sell 25 thousand games a year probably.

#18 4 years ago

FIN

finman2000

Pinside+ Frequent

Bloomingdale, IL

12y 91,050 1,036 7 17

OP
Quoted from iceman44:
That is the risk right? Yet why do they keep selling more pins every year while 2019 will be a record sales year.
"Customer base" sales are on fire.

They would have one more sale in 2019 if they gave two shits about the quality they put out. Too bad, I really want a JP.

#19 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

Quoted from finman2000:
They would have one more sale in 2019 if they gave two shits about the quality they put out. Too bad, I really want a JP.

Same, Now I may go from my favorite Theme, and movie to a cartoon about filth and general inappropriateness

#20 4 years ago

BGM

GoodOmens

Pinside member

7y 40,300 406

Quoted from Who-Dey:
If Stern had better Quality and good customer service they could wipe out the competition and sell 25 thousand games a year probably.

Granted I’ve not had anything go wrong but I’ve called and emailed them and gotten pretty quick and satisfying responses from Stern. I’m happy with their support thus far. Then again I own a NIB SAM and not a node based SPIKE...

#21 4 years ago

???

phil-lee

Pinside member

8y 91,550 4,216

Bally/Williams hangs over Stern like a ghost. This defunct Corporation lives in Sterns' head. I don't think they have ever equaled the Original.

#22 4 years ago

WOZ

PanzerFreak

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 123K 12,948 19

Plus you can pay $15k for some models and get a piece of a couch. You just can't get that with the other manufacturers.

Also, what other manufacturer let's you submit a video for why you are worthy of paying $15k for an SLE model? What other manufacturer offers $750 limited edition toppers with a numbered plaque? What other manufacturer let's you know that "there are no widespread playfield issues" despite numerous reports?

3ji2li (resized).jpg

#23 4 years ago

???

Greenandwhite

Pinside+ Frequent

Bloomfield Hills, MI

5y 60,550 250

Stern is a powerhouse and obviously a difficult competitor. They control a major share of the market, have the distributor network, and obtain the huge themes. However, outside of JP 2019 has been mediocre release wise for them. I like pinball and don’t “root” for one manufacturer. There is room for JJP, CGC, American, and Spooky ... for now.

#24 4 years ago

TDR

Who-Dey

In Memoriam

9y 117K 11,746 7 12

Quoted from GoodOmens:
Granted I’ve not had anything go wrong but I’ve called and emailed them and gotten pretty quick and satisfying responses from Stern. I’m happy with their support thus far. Then again I own a NIB SAM and not a node based SPIKE...

Well I've bought 7 new games off of them and have two bad playfields and ive been totally ignored for like 5 months now. I never thought that i would see the day that they did this to me either but they are.

#25 4 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

Just shows how quickly people have forgotten the last economic crash and recession and now have money to burn I guess.

#26 4 years ago

JPJ

Frippertron

Pinside member

Sparta, NJ

7y 60,800 2,301

Stern doesn’t sell close to 15k a year my friend. If they did pinball wouldn’t be such a niche hobby that it is. Just think the ultimate selling games of the modern era are Eight Ball and Addams at just over 20k. Pins fell off the table after WCS.

#27 4 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,071 19 30 1

Jesus been awHile since a Gary Stern love letter thread.

#28 4 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

3ji3kp (resized).jpg

#29 4 years ago

DUG

trilogybeer

Pinside+ Frequent

Elkhorn, WI

11y 150K 8,895 14 2

Did you say "granite"?

#30 4 years ago

TCB

tbutler6

Quoted from trilogybeer:
Did you say "granite"?

Haha!!!

#31 4 years ago

NEO

CaptainNeo

Playfield restorations

Burlington, WI

11y 148K 22,440 37 77 1

I do appreciate sterns titles lately. They have upped their game somewhat on fun factor on titles. I just wish they would make the Spike system more long term serviceable. They really have me worried how these games are on the verge of being disposable and unfixible 20 years from now. like they are testing the waters to see if enough people notice and concerned. I think they are really banking that a majority of their buyers do not do repairs or have major ADD and sell games after 6 months. Which is a shame because many games they have released recently, have a perfect balance of fun. And the rules really compliment the layout and themes. Which is something JJP struggles with. As they tend to make games overly complex to the point where it becomes unfun. There is a fine line and balance between the two.

#32 4 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

3ji4ce (resized).jpg

-2

#33 4 years ago

WRB

wrb1977

Pinside member

Quoted from Who-Dey:
If Stern had better Quality and good customer service they could wipe out the competition and sell 25 thousand games a year probably.

They already are selling over 25,000 pins annually.

#34 4 years ago

PAS

vex

Pinside member

New Westminster, BC

14y 74,800 1,977 4 8

I like pinball, I like stern. Chas at customer service is great. Thanks Stern.

#35 4 years ago

TKD

TKDalumni

Pinside member

Los Angeles, CA

9y 96,300 2,992

Haha Chaaaaaas is da man

#36 4 years ago

LUV

RandomGuyOffCL

Pinside member

9y 83,800 2,075

This thread be like:

New school pin cats-

Old school pin cats-

#37 4 years ago

EWG

kermit24

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 123K 6,541

Quoted from Mitch:
And they have shit quality, clear pooling, warped playfields, coilstops that dont last 200 plays, terrible code release, cabs splitting, terrible power switch location, shitty node boards ect

You have 41 pinball matches currently. Never owned a Stern. Not sure you are speaking from experience.

#38 4 years ago

EWG

kermit24

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 123K 6,541

Quoted from wrb1977:
They already are selling over 25,000 pins annually.

That is beyond their production capacity.

#39 4 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from RandomGuyOffCL:
This thread be like:
New school pin cats-
Old school pin cats-

And a few give us something new cats.

#40 4 years ago

WRB

wrb1977

Pinside member

Quoted from kermit24:
That is beyond their production capacity.

Not anymore.

#41 4 years ago

GCH

dos_reboot

Pinside+ Frequent

13y 91,800 803 79

Quoted from TheLaw:
Jesus been awHile since a Gary Stern love letter thread.

You have time to post but not enough time to go to a x-mas party? Jeesh.

#42 4 years ago

EWG

kermit24

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 123K 6,541

Quoted from wrb1977:
Not anymore.

Stern is open 260 days per year. You are saying they are churning out 100 games per day? That’s double what Stern has said they are making.

#43 4 years ago

WRB

wrb1977

Pinside member

Quoted from kermit24:
Stern is open 260 days per year. You are saying they are churning out 100 games per day? That’s double what Stern has said they are making.

Not sure if they are working weekends...but yes...Stern is cranking them out.

#44 4 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from kermit24:
they are churning out 100 games per day

That would explain a lot.

LoathsomeSparklingCrayfish-size_restricted.gif

#45 4 years ago

WRB

wrb1977

Pinside member