This thread is so negative and is a good representation of what pinside and this hobby has become. I have been in pinball for a long time and on pinside for a few years. I was posting way more a few years ago but now I read and doesnt comment very often. Pinside, like many social networks is like a high school cafeteria. Everybody Shouts and don't listen and like all schools it's never the sharpest and nicest people who are vocal.
Financial value ? Investment ? If it helps convince yourself to make a move or convince your wife and friends you are not totally insane to buy a wooden box for thousands of dollars but in the end you buy a toy.
If you buy pins for other reasons than playing the hell out of it with friends and loved ones there is something in life you did not understand.
Yes prices have increase and pinball companies like any other companies want to cut corners to increase profit margins but if you are not confortable with that you are always free to move to another hobby.
Pay more for less is a common thing now in everything......wake up