(Topic ID: 299785)

Stern's price increases may be pushing me out of this hobby

By Doctor6

2 years ago


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  • Latest reply 2 years ago by horseflesh
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    #229 2 years ago

    Any official word on just what the Price increase is?

    I'm not sure that business as usual is possible in this inflated market. Inflation is here.

    The problem is.... ROI is going be tough to realize. Lot of operators are already running on
    razor thin margins in some marketplaces.

    From a home collector / enthusiast standpoint. I know my Pinball budget for 2021 is
    already feeling the pinch from the last increases. I count myself blessed but 2020/2021 was
    a hard year for many.

    2 weeks later
    #336 2 years ago

    Lot's of good points.
    When this hobby first started I didn't care about any NIB machines. Wouldn't of even considered one.
    I was happy with acquiring the Williams WPC95 games. Over time I was able to build up a collection
    that allowed me to keep current with a small investment on my part. In away that still holds true.

    From a Routing standpoint. There is one issue. How do you increment the cost of play to account for
    the increase in price / value? How do you increment price per game to match.. 1.25 per play, 1.50 or 2.
    Not sure people going pop 2 dollars in ( especially if new to pinball ) that's an expensive lesson. Odd dollar amounts
    might encourage a replay or annoy others. That would be 8-10 dollar coin drop per league night. 5 plays...
    With people not drinking as much ( statistically speaking ) that really makes it hard to earn much. 2 dollars
    for a soda / bottled water. Non drinkers not going to make up diff. Changing demographics more platers transitioning to families.
    Conundrum for sure.

    Covid still a thing its tough... I am yet again setback into how I could open a space that even breaks even.
    Then the focus shifts and that can be hard to manage.

    If Stern / JJJP / and others went to a more electronic means of payment. Operators could increment
    cost of play by 10% to consumer.. Or perhaps there just needs to be an entire new price per play model.
    Current method of coin operation is problematic. Seems that you'd want to kick the actual Coin part of
    operation. So where does the focus for Home owners go.. Used WPC and Williams games.

    #357 2 years ago

    Stern might be pricing people out of Stern Option, those same people probably not JJP fans.

    Think American Pinball should not be ignored as a Stern Pro replacement plan.
    Hotwheels for the money really is a pretty damn good game in my opinion. If
    American can follow up with something that is just as well coded and designed
    I think Stern may of opened up a Market Opportunity.

    I'm sure the people over at Spooky will take note to. Next year when they unveil what
    they got under dev they should seriously consider making a game that can compete
    with American for this spot. If they can create a game that is just as packed, solid as
    Pro's of old.

    Perhaps people just need to branch out.

    Think there are plenty other options out there. Can't really say much about the new
    era of Stern though as I probably won't be able to play Godzilla for awhile.
    Full disclosure I ordered one.. Just giving me a little more motivation to clear out
    games I don't really need.

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