WARNING: STERN Batman Dark Knight @ COSTCO

[thabigwolf]

More Info on the Google Pinball Groups

Warning: STERN Batman Dark Knight (BDK) @ Costco is NOT a regular STERN BDK.

Stern is testing the Home Use Market by dumming down its current pins. They are removing features/toys in the game. Currently right now they have produced about 50 of them so watch what you buy cause they are CHEAPER than normal ones..

Wolf

 

[pudluther]

just out of curiosity, what are they selling for? if they're going for a home market, i'd think they were fairly inexpensive...like under $1000, maybe $1500 or so. if not, what's the point? buy an older DMD pin with that money and have the real thing.

 

[RareHero]

just out of curiosity, what are they selling for? if they're going for a home market, i'd think they were fairly inexpensive...like under $1000, maybe $1500 or so. if not, what's the point? buy an older DMD pin with that money and have the real thing.

They're $3299 ...this whole story has caused quite a stir on RGP. Here's what we know based on someone who went to Costco to play it.

The following features have been removed:
-Joker reveal mech (Joker's still there though...but just always visible)
-Bridge teeter-totter (replaced w/ return ramp)
-Upper mini-playfield/divertor (ramp shot always returns to left inlane now)
-Joker drop target
-Spotlights

Pictures:
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/Costco-BDK

Man...what a bizarre thing for Stern to do. Collectors won't want it, and it's probably still too expensive for the average-joe making an impulse buy at Costco. ...and then you risk that average-joe finding out they bought a shitty cheapo version, not the real one...getting pissed, and returning it to Costco.

 

[pudluther]

They're $3299 ...this whole story has caused quite a stir on RGP. Here's what we know based on someone who went to Costco to play it.

The following features have been removed:
-Joker reveal mech (Joker's still there though...but just always visible)
-Bridge teeter-totter (replaced w/ return ramp)
-Batman/Scarecrow figures
-Upper mini-playfield/divertor (ramp shot always returns to left inlane now)
-Joker drop target

I'm sure we'll find out about more missing things once more people check it out/take pictures. I'm guessing the Bat Signal backsplash is gone, along w/ some flashers and spotlights, too.

Man...what a bizarre thing for Stern to do. Collectors won't want it, and it's probably still too expensive for the average-joe making an impulse buy at Costco. ...and then you risk that average-joe finding out they bought a shitty cheapo version, not the real one...getting pissed, and returning it to Costco.

good lord....so you're in for $3500+ depending on your particular sales tax? and it's a knockoff??? WTF?


i don't know of any universe where that's a smart business decision by stern. holy cow. i mean, if they sold a knockoff for $1500 or so, then i would think maybe someone might make that "impulse buy" or at least think about getting little johnny one for christmas. but $3500? no way.

 

[pudluther]

and another thing...what if these things make their way into the market? i mean, at first glance they "look" real enough. might someone not paying too close of attention get taken for a ride one day?

i know, i know.....know what you're buying.....but still.

 

[bstrable]

$3299? Holy sh1t Batman!!!
*Sorry, had to say it*

 

[RareHero]

and another thing...what if these things make their way into the market? i mean, at first glance they "look" real enough. might someone not paying too close of attention get taken for a ride one day?

i know, i know.....know what you're buying.....but still.

It's true...it's close enough to "real" that a newb could get suckered. I think putting "Batman HOME EDITION" on the cabinet or translight would be the right thing to do...

 

[RareHero]

$3299? Holy sh1t Batman!!!
*Sorry, had to say it*

Compared to $4500+ for the "real" version ...maybe to some people not having the bridge, Joker mech, drop target, lights, and upper playfield is worth the $1000 savings.

I dunno, I'm trying to be objective even though the whole thing kinda feels dirty. Heh.

 

[lostarcade]

Batman is not on Costo's website anymore but a search for pinball brings up
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Arcade Pinball Machine by Stern $3,999.99
Wheel of Fortune™ Arcade Pinball Machine by Stern Pinball $3,999.99

The product details state
"Commercial use will void warranty"

 

[pudluther]

It's true...it's close enough to "real" that a newb could get suckered. I think putting "Batman HOME EDITION" on the cabinet or translight would be the right thing to do...

agreed: "home edition" on the cabinet, translight, coin door, playfield, DMD, or a big flashing neon topper.........something.

 

[dc2010]

what about the ones at sams club? are they the knockoffs or real deal? sams had/has

batman

csi

nba


anyone know?

 

[pudluther]

what about the ones at sams club? are they the knockoffs or real deal? sams had/has

batman

csi

nba


anyone know?

probably safe to assume: knockoffs.

 

[jar155]

It's not safe to assume anything, actually.

 

[gutsman004]

It's not safe to assume anything, actually.

Yep...assume = ass + you + me. Home or commercial grade,$3000+ is way too much for me to be spending on any pin or arcade.Hell,I'd rather buy a used car,ATV,or something of the like.For $3299,I better get lifetime use of the Batcave,Batmobile,and the butlering services of Alfred.

 

[Deadly]

Anyone ever notice how some of the TV model #'s are slightly different at Costco from other retailers like Best Buy. The model numbers are specific to Costco. Hmmmmmm
So as far as Stern providing a cheaper model through Costco doesn't surprise me in the least.

 

[whammoed]

Looks like the easiest way to spot one at a glance is the coin door. It has a single slot vs the standard 2 slot. If you are unfamiliar with the game you don't even need to spot the missing playfield items.

 

[stevenp61]

More Info on the Google Pinball Groups

Warning: STERN Batman Dark Knight (BDK) @ Costco is NOT a regular STERN BDK.

Stern is testing the Home Use Market by dumming down its current pins. They are removing features/toys in the game. Currently right now they have produced about 50 of them so watch what you buy cause they are CHEAPER than normal ones..

Wolf

LOL. just LOL.

I'm on the fence about this "home version" pin idea. For pin fanatics it is a non-starter, of course. But for someone who wants a real pin for their gameroom, you do get a lot for a much lower price than a retail commercial pin would cost. You get a real pf with real cab, flippers, DMD, all with a warranty. It will play exactly like a real pin, just a few missing features from the full-priced original. I'm surprised they put a single coin mech in if it's not intended for commercial use. Looks like an attempt to hit a broader home market directly, rather than have people buy routed&shopped pins. Although $3k is still pricey for a casual home rec room purchase.

 

[cnlmoore]

LOL. just LOL.

I'm on the fence about this "home version" pin idea. For pin fanatics it is a non-starter, of course. But for someone who wants a real pin for their gameroom, you do get a lot for a much lower price than a retail commercial pin would cost. You get a real pf with real cab, flippers, DMD, all with a warranty. It will play exactly like a real pin, just a few missing features from the full-priced original. I'm surprised they put a single coin mech in if it's not intended for commercial use. Looks like an attempt to hit a broader home market directly, rather than have people buy routed&shopped pins. Although $3k is still pricey for a casual home rec room purchase.

I think it makes perfect sense. You guys are looking at if from a collector standpoint, when even a different shade of blue on some artwork freaks us out. Try to take a step back. Stern is a business who's primary customer has been the operator. The operator market is dwindling and while collectors certainly buy the commercial versions I can't imagine they are a huge chuck of Stern's business. The only time we really get a voice is when someone like Jack at Pinball Sales gets Stern to run special collector editions and such.

So the op market is dying, you either reinvent or die. Stern needs to advertise and spread the word and get the general public to know that pinball still exists. Putting pins on the floor at big box retailers is one way to do that. Not sure if the Sam's club version was full commercial unit as I don't recall this issue coming up before, but if it was, that's probably why the Costco one is a stripped down unit. They pissed off their current primary customer, the operator. So strip it down and hope they can generate some sales and interest in pinball for future generations. I'm sure there is more to come...

 

[ixtlann]

Anyone ever notice how some of the TV model #'s are slightly different at Costco from other retailers like Best Buy. The model numbers are specific to Costco. Hmmmmmm
So as far as Stern providing a cheaper model through Costco doesn't surprise me in the least.

you kinda hit a nerve with me there bud.
to tell you the truth it is much more likely that the model numbers are different becuz the other retailers are selling the dumbed down tv NOT COSTCO, they dont play that game bro.

Infact i have witnessed this myself, seeing what seems to be the same tv they had at costco, at other retailers for more $$ and the specs are actually SLightly dumded down.
for instance in the past, 720p tops instead of 1080i tops, which is dumb.


I might say i would guess i suspect that right now costco has more of the newer version of the tv's with the hgher refresh rates and other retialers not so much, have you seen a good signal on these higher refresh rate tvs at costco it looks fawkin surreal, i def will get one if my xbox 360 can take advantage of that higher refresh rates, becuz the movies on demo there at costco look insane real

 

[ixtlann]

I think it makes perfect sense. You guys are looking at if from a collector standpoint, when even a different shade of blue on some artwork freaks us out. Try to take a step back. Stern is a business who's primary customer has been the operator. The operator market is dwindling and while collectors certainly buy the commercial versions I can't imagine they are a huge chuck of Stern's business. The only time we really get a voice is when someone like Jack at Pinball Sales gets Stern to run special collector editions and such.

So the op market is dying, you either reinvent or die. Stern needs to advertise and spread the word and get the general public to know that pinball still exists. Putting pins on the floor at big box retailers is one way to do that. Not sure if the Sam's club version was full commercial unit as I don't recall this issue coming up before, but if it was, that's probably why the Costco one is a stripped down unit. They pissed off their current primary customer, the operator. So strip it down and hope they can generate some sales and interest in pinball for future generations. I'm sure there is more to come...

i read some where recently that stern home sales is something like 30% of the usa market, but the way its worded it sounds like there counting world wide home sale vs usa complete market