A few points.
*USA Economy*
The only reason our aussie dollar shld stay strong over the next 2 yrs IMO, compared to the USA greenback, is that we are in less crap than our American counterparts, and Australia has always to a degree been financially isolated compared to most others cause we are linked to the Asian markets more, and Asia is still doing well compared to the USA. America has some massive financial hurdles to overcome this next 2 years with masive budget cuts introduced under current law, and many states are bankrupt or on the verge. The USA has had it tough the last 2 years, but if u watch all the USA economic channels, they are going to have it tougher the next 24 months than before, hence my belief the aussie dollar will stay strong, if not get better against the USA dollar. If that means we get BNIB Sterns for great prices, then thats OK.
*Stern*
IMO, there is no such thing as a Stern Pro half a pinball. The Pro model is exceptionally popular, and outsells the Premium and LE models about 4 or 5 to 1. The Pro model isnt made just for operators anymore either, that was 5 years ago. More home buyers buy Pros than operators according to stern, espescially in Australia.
The Stern Pro models today are just as good, and well equipped as any std body pinball made ever. The popularity of BNIB Stern models today is booming.
Also, operators who buy the Pro, do care, because its many thousands of dollars no matter who u are, and operators dont throw away money.
The Pro is the best value for money, bang for your buck, pinball machine today, which is why so many are sold worldwide, incl Australia.
This belief that Stern shld concentrate on only one model is very old thinking and would be disastrous marketing. Its like saying Toyota shld only sell 1 or 2 models. If you said that to their marketing dept they would chuckle. Choice equals more customers. The car industry and the pinball industry both cater to buyers who want choice, and lots of choices. One machine only would lose Stern a massive amount of sales.
Look at JJP, spend 10 grand or get nothing. I chose nothing. If they said spend $6600 and get a WOPZ std body, I would have said take my money. One model is a loser, not a winner. And JJP could still build a quality Pro model and keep its quality n still sell for a lower amount if a std body was introduced. If Stern can do it, anyone can, and thats the point. JJP selling LE only, is like Stern selling LE only. Say goodbye to all the Pro and Premium sales. Thats a disaster of marketing to me.
Stern is on a winner having various models up for sale. Why, cause they all sell, and sell out usually when it comes to the LE models. Stacks of people buy Pro models, and Premiums also sell very well. This marketing stradegy works. Stern buyers are mostly a very happy bunch. And the only unhappy people are people are not Stern buyers.
Back to pricing, and prices being down down down etc, I reckon the Stern prices for 2nd hand brand new HUO machines will stay higher than JJPs one only model. Why, cause there are only a certain amount of say AC/DC Pros, Premiums and LE models in the country. Pro rata, that means less of each model available for resale, and low numbers of machines for resale equals higher prices. But JJP's Woz, every man n his dog will have one soon, and that means there wil be more to hit the 2nd hand market, which will drive prices down compared to a Stern IMO.
If the JJP plays fast, resale values will stay acceptable, but if its slowwwww, like some keep saying, the prices for the 2nd hand market will drop like a lead balloon. I hope they dont, time will tell.
