I saw this on Facebook from a distributor. It looks like the $100 price increase to Avengers will be retroactive on all machines beginning New year. I am newer to the hobby and actually just got my first Stern (Star Trek Pro). It's only my second machine after a WCS 94 and I couldn't believe how much cheaper it was made. No support rails for the playfield, plastic apron, stamped metal back box, etc.

Kind of ridiculous they're increasing prices across the board while they continuously cut corners. Icarus is flying too close to the sun.

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So their BOM for wood might have increased, but they keep cutting corners to increase their profit margin. They are not a publicly traded company. they can eat some of their profits temporarily since they cut so many corners instead of keep screwing over consumers.

I don't understand the attitude of some people saying "yay" to this sort of attitude. I have a small business and my costs have changed this year significantly as I do dealings with China, but I'm not going to push that on to my customers as I can still keep my lights on.

I understand that and I can grasp that LOL, but why celebrate raising prices while CONSTANTLY cutting corners?

You say no one is celebrating but there is literally a comment on this post with 5 upvotes right now that says good job stern lol.

Is it really a bargain if they keep cutting corners though? What is it a bargain for if the machine is continuously built with lesser quality parts and you are paying more...

That's not how limited editions work LOL. I collect posters and art prints as well. Most drops that I collect sell out instantaneously, but the artists don't keep increasing prices or making more.

I'm aware. It's just really odd to me the market bends over for increasingly inferior products. Like I said in my initial post I think it's Icarus flying too close to the sun.

I'm not crying just trying to have open discussion about a company who keeps increasing prices while producing an increasingly inferior product. sounds like you could use a new pair of knee pads with your mindset.

Did you read the initial post lol? I said I had a Star Trek.

"yOu CaN sTaRt YoUrE OwN CoMpAnY" or I can be a customer that has valid concerns? If I had a complaint about my health care bill would you tell me to start a hospital?

Making a profit is okay. Cutting corners is not.

You weren't "just making a point". If that were the case you wouldn't have said I was crying?

I'm aware who Troy is. he obviously commented without even reading my post. It doesn't make my points any less valid?

Tell me how you really feel!

Sure it's a question. Is my point less valid? I didn't DiSrEsPeCt anyone. Maybe he should have read before commenting.

Salty from not finding a trade on that Vette?

I can tell you're always salty so I don't really take offense . I'll go fuck myself now.

I understand that. For example, average MSRP since 2010 is up 23% while inflation is around 18%. Couple that with the slow removal of items (service rails), inferior product usage (shitty coil stops), and recent QC issues (play field pooling, etc), I definitely see it as something that should have attention called to it. But what do I know? I just try to be a conscious consumer.

I could be referring to that table that was made until last year with several runs, yes. Or if you actually read I could be referring to lower quality parts and playfield issues that exists on several machines making it hard for a conscious consumer to trust a company.

Probably yes. When Stern raises their MSRP across-the-board in January I'm sure you will see a ripple effect with distributors increasing their prices as well.

Call me old school but I've always been customer service minded and wanted to make sure all of my clients are 100% satisfied with the product I provide them, not just fall asleep with more money every day. With my particular business I've been able to increase supply because my customer base is growing, while upgrading on the back end and keeping my prices steady due to increased volume. I'm not saying it's the same but it seems to be a mindset.

Expensive solid state technology in the late 70s?! No way!

I'm there right now. 30 years old with end stage cancer. Crazy how fast your outlook on life changes when faced with impending mortality. All I care about is spending time with my daughter and wife. I use pinball and politics as a distraction when I need to. I care about less than I ever have and am happier than I've ever been. Crazy how that works.

Thanks man! I've been through 2 transplants, 6 types of chemo, and starting my second type of radiation in a couple of weeks. Still kickin' though! Just take it day by day, and stop what I'm doing to play a game or two on occasion

I actually have a little blog going at waltsthoughts.com if you're interested. Haven't posted in a few months, but writing things out has definitely helped me along.