Quoted from Eryeal:

Question - and I don't mean in particular JJP, but rather pinball manufacturers in general:
It seems the accepted practice for pinball machines malfunctioning out of the box is for the user to make all these adjustments, grinding, replacing boards, etc themselves. What other manufacturer of anything this expensive requires the end user to correct all of the malfunctions themselves and/or replace parts themselves? When you buy anything else remotely this high in price, electronics etc - it would be a ruckus for a TV manufacturer to ask you to pull off a panel and check the solder on something, when you buy a car and something inside is rubbing or making a noise - the manufacturer doesn't ask you to troubleshoot, etc. They all either send someone out to repair it, send you a replacement, etc. Why aren't pinball manufacturers held to this standard of a new item? Or will they actually do this for you (send someone out to install a new board, etc) if asked? Yes we all know most in this hobby know how to work on their machines, and enjoy it in many cases - but that shouldn't mean that these corrections are, at the end of the day, the manufacturer's responsibility to take care of themselves? Just interested in hearing thoughts on this ..

Quoted from StevenP:

Just a reminder: pinball machines are commercial products, NOT consumer products. (notice those coin mechs?) Most operators know they need tech skills (or a good tech on staff) to maintain them. It's great that pinball makers are responsive to the need for replacement parts. but these are complex electromechanical systems with processor control that get a lot of abuse in normal usage. fixing the little things will always be a part of pinball ownership. honestly, i still think that if you're afraid to get under the pf, you shouldn't own a pin. unless you have a tech nearby and are willing to pay. again, these are not consumer products, even though they have become popular with a niche market of collectors. nothing can be done to make pinball machines maintenance-free.