I get the $1 deposit (and even the no deposit distributors) but I really think it skews Stern's backlog numbers. It makes me wonder if Stern realizes that there is a potential for the bottom to fall out if they filled every "order" from every distributor. I'm not saying they are purposely slowing production but they may be purposely limiting each run to ensure there are enough "true orders". If they had all the parts, manpower, and manufacturing capacity to make every "order" currently backlogged there is certainly a potential to have a big pile sitting around for a bit.

Regardless, I do miss the days of being able to crank out 7k games in a 3-4 month period then move on to the next title. Not saying Stern needs to get to that number (I don't think there is that much demand) but it would be nice if they did enough of a run to have enough extras at distributors until their next "cornerstone" starts cranking out vice shutting down high demand games for a new title.

The easiest, and really only, way to deal with flippers is to meet production demand. Make enough machines and dudes won't be able to flip them because people will just go to a distro and buy it for MSRP.

But, when it comes to limited releases, you are always going to have them.

As Mileesa said, permanent alienation is why they don't just jack up the prices to sky high levels. I know several firearms collectors and during the 2012 panic lots of gun stores jacked up the prices to astronomical rates, essentially price gouging. Every gun store I know of that did that are no longer in business, no one ever came back. The ones still around learned their lesson and these past couple of years instead of jacking up prices, they just limited purchases.

New car manufacturers understand this as well, that's why Ford and others have threatened to stop shipping to dealers who add on insane "market charges" to MSRP. It's bad for the brand. I know I went to buy a Jeep recently, there were 30 on the lot. I offered MSRP (because that's a sign of the times) and I got laughed at. I ordered a Bronco for MSRP instead, I'll wait 6 weeks and I'll never set foot in another Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer again.

This drought of machines won't last. Either supply will catch up with demand (either by Stern or others entering a "hot" market) or demand will drop because people have lost interest or can no longer afford them. Picking up production to meet demand is how Stern and others can stop the madness, not by pricing everyone out of the market and, by proxy, pissing them all off to the point of no return.

The outlanes will still swallow more balls than Linda Lovelace.

I agree with all the fishy shit, I'm sure there are growing lists of distributors that aren't operating above board. I hope Stern cracks down on them and yanks their agreements. But, and I'm not a distributor nor do I represent one, it has to be difficult for them when there are numerous "buyers" out there who are on every distributors list waiting for whichever delivers first.

Seems to me it would be very difficult to provide even a ballpark estimate for people given the unknown of who will actually take it. And, conversely, it makes it difficult for all the forum Columbo's to figure out when they may get their game given no one knows how many people the distributor went through before he delivered so and so's game.

I agree with this. Munsters sat and collected dust for months, not you can hardly find one.

I wish they'd update the AIQ code with some better animation and a few other adjustments (random soul gem first shot for example). Every time I get an alert e mail it's for another game update. =(

I'd bet it will happen with Elvira as well. Seems like with the production problems/difficulties it has anyways, not to mention parts difficulties, I doubt they will be able to satisfy demand for that one.

With the delays they had with the end of the last Godzilla run it really makes me wonder if the May one, and possibly the July one are going to be impacted. Not sure where they source their parts from but with the lockdowns happening in China it seems like more delays could be coming.

Inability to get spare/replacement parts seem to be the bigger concern of operators.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/what-will-be-the-next-stern-pinball-machine/page/532#post-6898524

I don't think there are alot of "fake" orders but there are certainly double and triple orders out there. I know one guy that has deposits/his name on the list on Godzilla at 5 distros.

lol.... well, not really. He will take one and I'll take the other. hahaha

Unless it's got a royal car crash multiball while listening to the candle in the wind remake I'm out on this one.

Song was recycled when Princess Diana got in the car crash. You could certainly have an OD multiball as well.

Playfield and other issues aside, they sure seem to be building a lot of Rush machines for it to be considered a "turd"

This is so awesome. I can't wait till August so Stern can announce a kick ass new title everyone wants that they can't get parts for. I hope it's Back to the Future or Jaws so I can wait till 2027 to get one for $18k.

On second thought, what are the odds that the next cornerstone is really the cornerstone from April but they just waited on the announcement, using backlog fulfillment as a cover, so they could stockpile parts and actually ship games after announcement?

I'm losing faith.

At this point I have to wonder when distributors will/should stop taking $1k deposits.

I get it, they want to ensure the games they order are sold but it seems they can't get near enough to fill the orders/deposits. Seems kind of dirty that they take a deposit on a game that can take up to 2 years to deliver.

Either quit taking them or at least give the option of a refund after a run is complete to those who didn't receive their game.

Even car dealers I've talked to have stopped taking deposits on special orders. Last year, they didn't charge a deposit until the car was on the manufacturing line. This year, they don't care because they can sell it for a markup so they don't take any deposit. If you don't want it when it comes in, no biggie to them, they'll sell it.

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I see your point and you may be right that someone who missed out would pay you MSRP for your new Deadpool Premium.

But considering you didn't put "MSRP", or any price for that matter, with your cash on the glass statement and you want to trade for games that all go for considerably more than a NIB MSRP DP, you kind of come across as a scalping douche bag, in the wrong thread.

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Looking at this I'm starting to like my theory that they've been stockpiling parts for a new cornerstone since March (when they decided to omit one) I hope it's a good title if that's the case.
Otherwise, how in the world are they going to run a new game for 3 solid months. Or, is that just filler because nothing else is confirmed for that time frame?

I don't know if I totally agree with that. The rocket in prices has brought people in to the hobby with riches in their eyes making some risky decisions. If things slow down or the market softens, it's gonna hurt.

I thought I read somewhere that Star Wars was a last call as well. I could be crazy though.

4 =)

I think there's a few machines that have been produced since then that didn't have it. I had an AIQ from early this year that didn't have it. Seems I remember a "parts shortage" there for a while that may have impacted it.

Does it seem odd to anyone else that they would announce a new title (after skipping one) and then wait 6 months before they produce Pro and Premium for general sale? Are they going to skip another release because it seems like they would announce another one before this one even hits the open market.

Also, does/is Stern going to track the location games from the Nov run when they start being flipped on the secondary market for ultra premium prices? I understand wanting to get the games on location but what recourse are they going to take if the people who have the ability to get those just unload them for a quick buck? Just curious if they would do something or if it's just another hook up for the connected folks to make a quick flip buck.

Thanks for the info, nice to see they try to get the games out on location with something more than just "words".

I still don't get why such a long delay before Premiums and Pros for the general population (or even premiums for operators, most around here put out premiums on location).

Could be dangerous having that big of a delay. If the game isn't all it's cracked up to be, plenty of time to move on from that pre order. Probably not the case but still.

I also wonder what the 3 year protection plan would get you. Dimpled playfields, damaged scoops etc all replaced?

In other words BOHICA

I heard they were waiting for 2 or 3 more price hikes before they did another run of that one.

I was really exited too until I saw the $10k price tag. Any excitement i had left after that has been rapidly diminishing and will continue to evaporate during the 3 months until I get to "hopefully" find one in the wild to try before I buy.

I'll probably just pick one up on the secondary market for a discount next summer..... if they're available by then.

These price increases are pretty insane. I know this is above my limit. The value, for me, just isn't there at 10k. Maybe it's a mental barrier but I want it below that number and that is after buying a shaker, side art and invisiglass at a minimum.

I know the Pro's didn't go up as much but I don't see how an operator can justify a 10k game. Maybe I'm out of it but most of the games I play on location are Premiums with some pros mixed in.

The other crazy thing is the price of the LE's (which are now "limited" to 1000). If the game is a dud, there are going to be some people taking a big hit much like they are with Toy Story 4. If Stern wants to maximize their profit and slow down the scalping you would think they would wait for a bit and see how Pro's and Premiums sell and how well the game is received before announcing/building an LE. Think of what they could have done with Godzilla LE if they had waited 2 production cycles before announcing numbers and pricing of LE's. And if the game is a slow seller, reduce the numbers or eliminate it all together.

I know, I know, all of us armchair pinsiders should be running Stern. It will be interesting to see how Bond does regardless of my thoughts.

Psssssst....... put a surge protector on that thing ASAP.

Not bad, only 2 months after launch. Or, is this the "for operators" batch?

I think they will sell, it's a fun game. Now, will they sell for the price they want for LE's, I don't know, but their SE's are a value, especially with the JJP and Stern cash grab.

I would imagine it's Amazon's algorithm. If you track prices, they tend to go up when someone buys it and drop as the days pass with no sales. Since the pro's were sold out last I looked a few days ago, I'd say it's just high since they are now "back in stock"

I generally track stuff that I'm not in a hurry to buy. I watched tents for about 4 months. They would go from $200 MSRP down to 125 and up to 275. I'd just track it and wait.

It can be worth it if you put it on your Amazon card for no fee and get 5% back. Not a terrible deal if you have a bunch of points and plan to pay it off on the first billing cycle. $9k game, no CC fee, free shipping, get a good chunk of sales tax back in credit card rewards plus use any rewards you currently have to drive down the cost. (I'm speaking strictly for the ones from Stern, not the goofball markup place)

I can see giving them their deposit back but you should at least charge a fee. $100 - $250 something. It may not be a really big deal to your business now because you can turn around and sell it to someone else waiting but that's not always going to be the case.

Obviously I'm not talking about if someone wants a deposit back due to a price increase.

October.

Kinda like coming in under $10k I guess.

Name this shameless distributor!

I think the fiasco they are speaking of was the fact that it was rolled out in August, a few pro's sputtered out the gate about a month later followed by LE's in Dec and the premiums didn't start shipping until after the first of the year, nearly 4 months after announcement. Oh, and they all came with the most rudimentary code Stern has released to date.

Strange, my experience with pinside has been different.

I think it's a perfect storm. Between better availability of new games, the insane LE price increases, "flippers" getting burned on Bond LE's and Foo (to a lesser degree), the other "comic" theme game sales slowing, particularly AIQ, and the rumors of a Jaws or BTTF, people are putting a halt to the FOMO and sales are soft.