Quoted from jalpert:

You forgot to add more money in Stern's pocket. They are holding the threat of no Premiums over our heads to sell out the LE's, then they release the Premium when they cashed in on the LE's.
It's basically a bait and switch.

Quoted from Purpledrilmonkey:

Good point. Between the $8k price inflation and the WOZRRLE bait-and-switch idea, Stern has copied JJP more than a few times on how they release games.
Thank goodness for all the competition hey?

Quoted from PanzerFreak:

The premium edition makes the LE not even appear limited. For nearly $8k the LE should have a more interactive prison toy, a shaker motor and the fish tank topper all included. What is Stern putting into the LE to justify the nearly $1,500 price difference between it and the premium? Side art? Powder coated rails? Its as if they knew all long they would make a premium and only did once they had all of the LE sales.
Sorry Stern but you guys need to offer more then a couple signatures, a plaque and powder coated rails to justify buying a NIB LE over premiums.

Quoted from Jediturtle:

Just a couple quick points/opinions that I'm sure will ruffle some feathers, but it's not intended that way. But seriously guys...think this through.
1) This really shouldn't surprise anyone at this point.
2) Do you really think Stern sits around trying to think of ways to screw over hobbiests? Really?
3) This has nothing to do with "threatening" to not make them if we don't rush out and buy the LEs. I would think after releasing a premium for games like Avengers and Mustang that weren't exactly hot sellers that it makes perfect sense for them to hold off and see the initial reaction. If this one would have been a flop, I'm sure they wouldn't have bothered with the premium. It's not a threat...it's just the smart thing to do. From what I remember, they have said this all along...something to the affect of there are no current plans for a premium but that could change depending on demand. I thought I read that somewhere anyway..
4) They are really screwed no matter what they do...someone will complain. No premium and we complain that only the few LEs that exist are the "full game" and we can't get them if they are sold out. Yes to premium upfront and they run the risk of another Avengers situation where they put in lots of effort to release a machine that ends up more rare than a unicorn. If they do it the way they did here..well...you've read the thread. So really...what do you want them to do?

Quoted from Goronic:

Again, I don't understand why making more versions of a pinball game is so bad. JJP is even doing it. Heck there is a SE (aka limited premium - whatever the hell that is), before the LE is even shipping. I guess the good thing is that people can see the SE first. But they did it with WOZ and RR, and they likely will again for the hobbit (if it sells well) and Pat's pin.
Just a pattern where pinball manufactures will produce pins that they feel that people will buy - and honestly I don't see a problem with that.

Quoted from pinball_erie:

I hardly call the pro a "crippled" pin. Fast as hell and fun as hell. With the ramp and crossbow difficulties on the LE.........that is the definition of crippled.
From the freedictionary.com:
2. To disable, damage, or impair the functioning of:

Quoted from AvidPinPlayer:

A non-emotional comment. I'm so glad I bought the poor man's Pro and not the LE. The Premium looks so much better than the LE and ... cheaper. Still, I believe the Pro was the best investment.