I bet I know who...

Hadn't seen this thread in a while and should be able to shed some light. I can pretty much basically assure you that billygrippo's purchase/price is legit because I got a first run godzilla pro (build date October 5) from the same distributor for $6,100 + shipping. He asked me where I got it, I told him, and then I heard from the distributor that he had gotten in touch with them about buying pin(s).

Being my first-ever pin, I knew next to nothing about the apparent complexities and politics of distributors and pricing. I didn't understand how this company can be so inexpensive compared to others and not a scam. I guess I still don't, but that doesn't change the fact that they're in the business of selling pinball machines for less than other companies and then delivering them.

Previously, I would have been glad to share the name (I did to a few people who had messaged me over the past months, including billy). But enough people seem to indicate that could be create trouble for their business, which is not something I'd want to happen. For instance, I talked about buying godzilla on an episode of the pinball show (https://www.thepinballnetwork.net/e/the-pinball-show-ep-97-spirit-animals/) and Zach Meny suggested the distributor must be breaking the rules to be selling pins at that price. But I have no idea why they'd want to break the rules for a random first-time pin buyer who just contacted them through their website. Or for some guy that guy referred to them.

It's also hilarious to me. Random username I picked years back, long before I ever imagined I'd end up so involved in pinball history's biggest scandal. So of course didn't do it with the expectation people would report on my reporting or have me on shows to talk about such stuff and in a sort of serious way all while calling me blueberry. It's so dumb and I kinda love it.

Update on the distributor front: I wrote to them to confirm they'd be all good with my sharing their top secret identity because they in no way think they're doing anything other than operating above board. Prospects looking good on that front. If I get the go-ahead, I'll write back everyone who has written me letting them know where to go.

All right friends, I just finished sending the distributor info to all five hundred people who messaged me about it since yesterday (just kidding, it was only several dozen). As a reminder, I only bought the one pin from them for the price I shared.

While it seems likely they still have comparatively great prices (based on billy's more recent purchase), I know nothing about their current rates, stock, etc. In terms of sales support and communication, my rep has always been responsive and helpful.

I also cannot speak to the other elements of their business such as after-purchase support, warranty, etc, because my experience has been limited only to some minor emailing back and forth with a question or two. I've not needed any service or replacement parts.

I hope this connection proves helpful and that the company is able to provide a good option for getting these increasingly difficult to get pins we so enjoy.

Minor update: distributor's current stock/allotment nearly spoken for (not a reason to not get on a list for future ones, of course - I did a couple months in advance for Godzilla and got one of the first batch shipped):

"Pretty much everything is TBD 2023 right now. I’ve only got a couple Star Wars Premiums from August build available and that’s it. (Unless you want Cactus Canyon, but I don’t know where your pinball loyalties lay as far as manufacturer goes)"

He is undoubtedly a prodigy.