Is this common on NIB Sterns?

PensFan66

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Ok, I know around the forums people have mentioned the Quality of Stern - But this is my first NIB and I need to ask if the pictures are common - Mylar looks like the edges arent on well (Even my 15+ year Ballys look better) in Picture 2 - and after a week and a half of owning I have a few spots like picture 1 - Maybe they were there when it arrived, maybe not ... but what would cause that type of divit - Ball action?

The machine has only 45 plays ....

Again, it is my first NIB - Common?
 

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In pic 1 it looks like the pf was damaged or something stamped it. I don't think that is ball damage. Too close to the lane guide.
Pic 2 that is the way all trons mylar looks. That is normal.
 
That Mylar looks pretty bad... that's really "the norm" Jackal?

I agree on the dent...doesn't look to be ball related.
 
Ok, I know around the forums people have mentioned the Quality of Stern - But this is my first NIB and I need to ask if the pictures are common - Mylar looks like the edges arent on well (Even my 15+ year Ballys look better) in Picture 2 - and after a week and a half of owning I have a few spots like picture 1 - Maybe they were there when it arrived, maybe not ... but what would cause that type of divit - Ball action?

The machine has only 45 plays ....

Again, it is my first NIB - Common?

I've never seen a ball cause damage in the inlane. Might have been damaged at the factory. Complain to Stern. Don't stop until they send you a perfect replacement playfield. I'd be less concerned about the mylar...you can freeze it off and put on a new strip....but playfield damage is inexcusable.
 
Thanks guys .... The mylar wasnt my biggest concern, that ding is bad in my opinion.
 
There was a video that was posted and pulled of the stern factory assembly line. This was the video that was pulled because it was leaked with Transformers info.
Anyway during the video it shows a worker putting in a T-nut into the top side of the pf with a metal hammer banging on the thing at least 5-6 times with no regard to protecting the surface of the pf. Slips are going to happen and I don't think they care.
If there really was QC at Stern like they have at Ferrari, Stern would never ship one pin out the door.

Again, the mylar is normal looking. I don't know why it looks fuzzy around the edges but mine is the same. I got over it after a while. The factory mylar won't last forever and will need to get replaced. Worry about it then.

I don't think Stern is going to send out a replacement pf for the other issue either but you can try. So far they have sent out everything I need to fix up my Tron LE. Replacement Chrome trim, an opto board, and a switch. I also just ordered a new dual slot coin door and asked them to send me a new coin door sticker since I didn't need to buy a whole set from pbl. I got that in the mail yesterday too from Stern. Their customer service is really good but their hands may be tied by policy for some items.
 
Yeah, I would seriously hope they would cover the optos / etc under the Warranty - This part of the playfield is all I see now :) Its really bad and like you said, I think someone just slipped and nailed the PF. What sucks is I have extra protection all around, the flipper buttons, the start button, Flynns shot, and the drop lanes on both ramps ... All the protection I can do, and Stern has to damage the PF.

Also, the reason I even saw it to start was the LED on the GEM Popper (Not even being hit) snapped in half - and the top portion flew into the main section of the PF - So I had to get it and saw that after picking up the LED top.

I emailed them, but Im sure they wont do anything - Its not like we spend thousands for a NIB machines or anything :)
 
I emailed them, but Im sure they wont do anything - Its not like we spend thousands for a NIB machines or anything :)

Keep at it. Complain enough and they'll eventually correct it. They can't use the "these games are for operators" excuse anymore...they know collectors are buying them and collectors have standards.
 
I emailed them, but Im sure they wont do anything - Its not like we spend thousands for a NIB machines or anything :)

I bet they will. I'm working on a similar (but yet to be posted on here) issue in which they are trying to find me a populated playfield, or they might just swap out the machine as a whole. I'm so pissed that I might just ask for a refund.
 
This has been escalated to the QC team. So I'm wondering if they just might do something - now my big issue, I did the Tron Flynn LCD mod.... a whole machine swap wouldn't be great, but if that happens I hope they can just keep the tron machine that ships with it.
 
This has been escalated to the QC team. So I'm wondering if they just might do something - now my big issue, I did the Tron Flynn LCD mod.... a whole machine swap wouldn't be great, but if that happens I hope they can just keep the tron machine that ships with it.

FWIW, they decided to send out a populated PF to a tech to have him install it. I'm guessing they will do something similar with you. If that does happen, you could switch the Flynn's mod over at that time. Good luck!
 
So, they offered me squat - Patrick said the QC team replied and said that was acceptable - and for my trouble they would offer me an Autographed Translite and a T-Shirt ... Nevermind the fact that the value of my Machine probably drops like crazy with this damage.... Im going to reply and complain.

Home Collectors shouldnt stand for a human assembly error that damaged the PF - Its obvious how it happened ...
 
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So, they offered me squat - Patrick said the QC team replied and said that was acceptable - and for my trouble they would offer me an Autographed Translite and a T-Shirt ... Nevermind the fact that the value of my Machine probably drops like crazy with this damage.... Im going to reply and complain.

Home Collectors shouldnt stand for a human assembly error that damaged the PF - Its obvious how it happened ...

Sounds a lot like what they told me the first time. Just state how few plays you have on it, that it's in a home environment, and that it's unacceptable for a pin that is so new to have this damage.
 
man if i ever get my hands on one of these the first thing i will be doing is pulling it all down and burying the thing in clear... dunno what theyve used lately but alot of folks have has delamination and all kinds of other issues.
 
Sounds a lot like what they told me the first time. Just state how few plays you have on it, that it's in a home environment, and that it's unacceptable for a pin that is so new to have this damage.

Yep - thats the angle I took already, machine is only 2 1/2 weeks old now, and when I emailed them it was less than 2 weeks old... No replies yet
 
Typical Stern low quality.

I'm surprised yours hasn't started to fall apart yet.

Stern will disregard you and tell you "too bad" since you are not an operator buying a dozen machines at a time.
 
Typical Stern low quality.

I'm surprised yours hasn't started to fall apart yet.

Stern will disregard you and tell you "too bad" since you are not an operator buying a dozen machines at a time.

It's not typical...I've had tons of Sterns and never had a problem like this. They don't "fall apart", Ken. "Stuff happens" like any mechanical pinball machine throughout history.

A friend of mine recently had a playfield problem like this, and they sent him a populated playfield to correct it, and all is fine now. Keep at them and don't give up.

If my Transformers has any factory caused flaws on it, I won't stop until the problem is corrected.
 
If my Transformers has any factory caused flaws on it, I won't stop until the problem is corrected.

Good thing I won't be the only one to voice concerns if there are any. There shouldn't be for the price these games cost.
 
Tis why I preach USE A CREDIT CARD when you purchase anything. The credit card company won't fight you - they'll fight the offender on your behalf.

This is crap - completely unnacceptable product and behavior by Stern. If you used a credit card call your company up and let them handle it. If you didn't, call Stern and request to speak with their legal dept. and inform them of the situation. Let them know you are simply asking for a populated pf and if they don't comply you will take them to small claims court.
They lose either way. Too expensive to fight it and if they don't show up you automatically win.

Companies get away with shit like this because people just take the abuse and walk away. NOTHING in this world gets fixed unless you stand up and fight for what's right.
 
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