Way too long of a wait & people get nervous when it doesn't seem perfect.

When it becomes apparent that the game purchased isn’t as unobtainable as once believed the FOMO and perceived profit value dissipates like a fart in the wind.

Look at Halloween…there is no “flip” or “cache” value anymore now that there are dozens of people trying to get rid of their spots and non-refundable deposits at face value.

So, the ONLY reason to keep yours is because you actually want one, rather than having one as an “investment” that will reap untold rewards down the line. And given how awful the game plays…well, do the math.

What the heck is FOMO?

Unfortunately other then Stern you pretty much have to react in this buying economy while waiting to see pictures/game play which often changes that first instinct. I am impressed by the few selling pre-order spots for Less then they paid just to get out.

Is it the layout or the rules? Rules can be fixed, layout not really. I don't really follow that game because I have zero interest in the theme.

Rob

In my opinion, it's complete madness to buy a game before you play it. You're taking a risk if you're buying a game based on theme and looks alone. Only gameplay matters. You can fool yourself that the code will improve, but how long are you willing to wait, while your new toy takes up valuable space in your gameroom?

It doesn't surprise me to see HWN appearing in the market place....a red hot title cooling down with each passing day.

But I understand the compulsion some people have...like that annoying brat in Willy Wonka - "I want it NOW!".

There isn't a huge risk if it's a Stern as they hold their value pretty well.

"Complete Madness" seems to be a little hyperbolic, when even a terrible new game doesn't lose much of it's value in the resale market.

I think it's kind of silly to buy a game that you've had plenty of time on...isn't it more fun to buy something more or less "new" and discover it at home?

"complete madness" I'd probably reserve for stuff like trying to clone your pet with a microwave.

All of the options say FOMO, so I didn’t vote. I ordered ACNC because I thought it was a beautiful pin. But after playing it at 3 different shows, I decided I didn’t like how it played - too tight. So I sold my spot for a $300 loss, and chalked it up as a life lesson. Now I only buy a game after I’ve had a chance to play 10-20 games on it. And not at a show, where I have to wait in line for 30 minutes to play a game with 3 other people.

Pinside is the reason.
Along with podcast personalities.

After the wife finds out about it, may change things a bit.

LTG : )

It’s a monkey brain evolutionary thing.

The scarcer the resources (fresh meat/LE Pinball) and the higher the stakes (starvation/loss of Pinside glory for not getting it first), the more the brain gorges on a feast of dopamine and serotonin to euphorically “reward” the successful individual and motivate repeated behavior (killing a moose/getting to choose your serial #).

Then, once the thrill of conquest abates and the more rational “left brain” thoughts start to intrude you begin to realize it’s really just another pinball machine, then it’s knocked from the pedestal as people start discussing its flaws (all games have them), and you get buyer’s remorse and offload your reservation on Pinside market.

It’s like the letdown you feel the morning after a night of hard-partying hedonism!

FOMO is why they jump on the bandwagon and buy in the first place.

FOGSWAT is why they bail. (Fear Of Getting Stuck With A Turd)

Just sold my HWN CE spot yesterday. Reason was our local op managed to get < #50 CEs of both UM and HWN (unknown when I ordered). Both of which are roughly 5-10 minutes drive away.
After playing both, I did the calculus and decided I didn't need to dup these in my collection and could sufficiently experience them on location. Both shoot nice and seem fun to play, albeit early rules.

I read the title and thought “I bet either TheLaw or CrazyLevi are the #2 post”
Welp

Space is the biggest factor for me currently

Once you mature past fomo and learn to enjoy what you already have, life gets better

Zilla looks awesome, but I love my current collection
Looking forward to playing it and possibly owning in the future, but I have no issues waiting

Is there a "Watched early production recipient's playfields pool, chip, and start to self-destruct" option?

I will say changed their mind after reveal and flippers bailing out after they decide its not going to be a gold mine like GNR CE was.

I cancelled JJP pirates because my child was coming into this world and I wanted to protect them from Depp’s creepy mug.

Turns out I could have kept it in a box and made enough money to send my kid to college. Oh well!

Eyes bigger than their stomach. New and shiny can be tempting. As a previous poster mentioned, plunking down a deposit is easy, the balance is a little trickier.

Think you mean POTC. GnR was no goldmine. More mine field.

that is a bigger gold mine

Where is “number of FOMO LEs keeps changing at launch”

For the first time , I bailed on a purchase. Halloween looked to be such a different layout than every game I've owned so far. But , honestly, I don't have the patience for any game, irregardless of theme, to wait a year or two for it to mature in code. It's had a few issues to be honest , and that helped push my decision to return. It cost me a 5% return fee, $100, and I think that was more than fair. And the distributor sold the next day as it was a early 200# . Maybe I'll buy one in a few years from one of my friends who also bought.

Sounds like me as well.

Think it started with BM66 in my brief time of keeping up with such things.
Came to a head around Munsters but Stranger Things was a contender.
Lebowski was such a cluster along with the various others.
Basically the hype hits fever pitch, much money changes hands then the machine is labeled unworthy through reviews.
One of the main reasons Businesses take reviews seriously enough to initiate lawsuits in many cases.

I didn't see scalping.