Case in point - anyone that thinks a machine costs US$6000 to make is kidding themselves. EVERYONE along the food chain is making money - the investors, the shareholders etc etc.. Stern are making a LOT of money making pinballs - first rule of business - if you are not making money then you won't survive very long !
Whats the difference between a Pro and an LE - a backglass, a plaque, a drop target here, and extra spinner there and a bash toy. HARDLY - $4000 worth. Then there's the extras - toppers, armor - Stern make a killing.
If Stern were realistic with their prices, and given how much I enjoy TWD LE and KISS LE (code permitting) - I would buy more games. If Stern dropped this 3 tier rubbish and made the LE the STANDARD - in line with everyone else before them, and sold them into the market for realistic prices (JB Hi Fi) they would be far far more successful, sell more games into homes and not create a price point where people are prepared to pay as much for a fully restored "A" or "B" title.
Given the numbers (profits) involved, it also makes the idea of "negotiating" $50 off a shaker motor or half price shipping up the East coast of Australia really quite absurd in context.
