Quoted from PokerJake:

It's optional, and not sure. All I know is I'm not paying extra for the same art that's hidden by other machines. Mine will be around 7600 with the knocker and bloodsucker edition extras. Also ordered right away at 9 am, within the first 100 orders. I wouldn't of ordered if I was near the end, not worth a year to year and a half wait. Four months wait is nothing, just did that with my JP Premium.

Quoted from bobbyconover:

As an operator I have heard and seen very few good things about the build quality and reliability of Spooky games, and have heard many, many bad things. I ask all the ops I know, from a variety of well-known locations across the country, some of which have several of their games out (including the "good ones," TNA and Alice Cooper), and the overwhelming majority of them see their games as both unreliable and poorly built. As an early WOZ pre-orderer who really took the brunt of jumping in excitedly with an unproven new company, waited the years for the game to come out, had endless headaches trying to keep it running once it did, and ultimately took a big loss on the game, I'm definitely gun-shy when it comes to pre-ordering/buying new games from iffy pinball companies. When Spooky posted the pic of the underside of Rick & Morty's playfield, my first thought was that it looked like an amateurish unkempt rat's nest, which really doesn't give me confidence in the rest of their build. I've also noticed that their games are disproportionately broken when I go to arcades and bars that have them, and also tend to get pulled from location altogether before long. It's too bad, because I have little doubt that the game would make money based on the theme alone, I like various aspects of Danesi's designs and enjoyed TNA, and I'm excited to see a pinball company embrace a theme that could resonate with younger players. The price was a pretty big deterrent as well -- it's ridiculous how expensive it is considering how lacking the game is in complexity, but I suppose that was justified to them by it instantly selling out.
Stranger Things is also an exciting theme, but I'm sadly on a self-imposed Stern game buying ban as well because of their playfield issues. JJP as well. So basically as it stands I won't buy brand new machines from anyone, and all because they break too easily or have art that bubbles and flakes off, instantly dropping the value of a game faster than it can even begin to pay for itself. I really hope these companies sort their issues out soon, because it sucks seeing nicely designed and fun games come out (JP has been hard to resist) that I'd like to buy and operate, but pass on because of the risks.

Quoted from PokerJake:

I am picking up in person, they're only 4 hours away. With the new tax laws, isn't it if an online retailer sells more than $100k in a state, then they have to pay taxes for every transaction done in that state? Unfortunately taxes are a part of life. I don't consider taxes part of the cost, when you go to sell a machine do you try to recoup the taxes paid? Not me.

Quoted from PokerJake:

Come to think of it I haven't either, purchased 8 games this year between Automated Services, Classic Game Rooms and Fargo pinball. I suppose that would be almost $500-$600 in taxes per game. I guess I'd have to think about if paying the tax would be worth it first. Shipping is understandable and expected if not a Stern. Fortunately with our hobby you can recoup 80%-90% of NIB price when you sell. I always think about the $200 Whirlwind I found last year, then flipped it for $2500 or the $900 EBD when I think of my NIB losses. We've got it pretty good to be able to be in the hobby in the first place. Just don't tell my wife the actual cost of the machines.