Costco - BDK
mikeo
$3299 each at our local Costco. I assume this is a decent price for a
NIB BDK?
If this was a Spiderman I would be all over one.
Mike O.
Team-EM
MRG
Location?
I did not know they had these games in stock
mikeo
Mike O.
Team-EM
MRG
>
> - Show quoted text -
$3552 is a good price
Eric A.
ru u positive it wasn't 4299?
Lloyd Olson
model they'll have the metal apron and playfield support rails. Get over
there and get one. LTG :)
"mikeo" <mi...@dmwcc.com> wrote in message
news:7ab46926-ca9e-442e...@f13g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
MRG
>
> - Show quoted text -
My costcos do not stock pinballs
freeplayer
If that price is correct you can go to Sears, BDK $4,699, ask for a
Brick and Mortar price match, plus 10% of the difference, $3,159
ballpark.
BoJo
Not sure if Sears would price match a warehouse club like Sam's or
Costco, but guess it's worth a shot.
So how many people just called their local Costco to see if they had
any in stock as well?
freeplayer
I'm sure:
off the Sears website
Q: Does Sears match retail stores that require a membership?
A: Sears will match membership club stores. Customers must present
their current membership card along with the proof of the price that
is being matched. Sears does not price match military PX retail
stores.
Hey what do you guys think of priceslayer instead of freeplayer :)
JD
Indiana or Ohio.
May just be a local deal. Stern sent them remaining stock.
-JD-
MRG
>
> - Show quoted text -
I just talked to the Overland Park store and they do have them for
$3200. I asked if they do store transfers and he said no. He did
look it up in there system and he DID find one on order for a store in
Ohio. So the only way to get one for that price is to drive there and
get it.
Les Manley
>
> - Show quoted text -
Wow...helluva price for a fantastic game now that the code update is
out.
Rare Hero
> I just talked to the Overland Park store and they do have them for
> $3200. I asked if they do store transfers and he said no. He did
> look it up in there system and he DID find one on order for a store in
> Ohio. So the only way to get one for that price is to drive there and
> get it.
Wow, I HOPE none of my local Costcos have it...cuz that would make me
feel like a real asshole since my plastic-aproned playfield-peg
version is in transit right now...
Greg
freeplayer
Hey Greg, looks like those playfield pegs are ribbed for your
pleasure ;p
goatdan
Damn! If I had a job right now, I'd have a BDK.
rob...@classicparts.com
the price match. They are telling me I would have to pay the
shipping cost to my home and that i can't pick it up at the store.
I'm on hold waiting to talk with a supervisor....
freeplayer
It amazes me that Costco can even sell a NIB BDK for $3,200 and that's
still showing a profit, goes to show the factory cost to Costco is
probably upper $2,000 range, other Stern distributors must be
churning. So much for Stern keeping costs a big secret.
rob...@classicparts.com
the sears price($4699.99) vs the Costco price($3299.99) which takes of
an additional $140.... but....they won't wave the shipping charge of
$231.75....and then you still have sales tax.
Duff
> Overland Park, KS 7.65% sales tax.
As good as that price is still does not justify the move to
ehh.. Kansas. Once everyone gets over their new crush this game
can be had for that a year from now.
Greg, if I am not mistaken you are in So CA. Consider the price
difference another tax for living in a more disirable spot.
West coast bias installed...
Alan
MRG
Rare Hero
BDK is actually a different redesigned version. It does not have the
Joker reveal or the teeter-totter bridge. I suppose it still might be
worth it for you to find it at that price.......but I don't want
anyone running around to Costcos all day only to come home
disappointed.
Greg
rob...@classicparts.com
tell us if it is old stock or new stock.
freeplayer
Sears states right in their corporate price match policy, manager may
call competitor to verify price. Insist that you can buy it at Costco
for $3,200, have the manager call that Costco to confirm the price.
You may have to call Sears Corporate and speak to a regional manager
or customer relations group leader.
Lloyd Olson
them around $4500 mad. Makes you wonder what if any their business plan is.
"freeplayer" <fclan...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:998731fa-d6fd-4805...@o39g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...
kenny_ii
Really? They took stuff out and made a special version?
K2
Sparky
<rob...@classicparts.com> wrote:
> Does anyone know if the ones at Costco have the plastic apron? Might
> tell us if it is old stock or new stock.
It doesn't matter what the Costco game has if you're getting it from
Sears for the reduced price. You'll get whatever Sears has in stock
and ships to you.
Mark Malmberg (Sparky) - Ceres, California
Lloyd Olson
"Rare Hero" <rareh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:140242f0-004e-4e07...@a39g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
BoJo
Disappointed?? I would be ecstatic if there was no pointless teeter-
totter or coffee can joker. As long as the crane is still there I
would be content. So if anyone finds these at a Costco in the PA area
let me know :)
phishrace
> It amazes me that Costco can even sell a NIB BDK for $3,200 and that's
> still showing a profit, goes to show the factory cost to Costco is
> probably upper $2,000 range, other Stern distributors must be
> churning. So much for Stern keeping costs a big secret.
This has to be a candidate for idiot post of the year. You certainly
have my vote.
-phish
freeplayer
I'm missing the whole point regarding tax and shipping. If you pick
up the pin at Costco in KS you would save shipping but still have to
pay tax. If you ordered a BDK from Sears one state over, sales tax
may be waived buy with the Sears price match you save $1,639, so order
it from Sears over the state line, have it delivered to the store, get
in your truck go get it...bring me the Batman, beside shipping a 400lb
package for $231 seem pretty reasonable to me.
Rare Hero
> Redesign or they didn't have the parts to build them right ?
Redesigned.
Greg
phishrace
> Seems a nice way to get rid of distributors and also make people who bought
> them around $4500 mad. Makes you wonder what if any their business plan is.
Oh come on Lloyd. You can't really believe that Stern can build new
games for less than $3K?
This is a closeout deal on less than a handful of games. Now they may
be missing parts. Contrary to popular belief, all distributors will
not be dropping their prices by $1K in the next week.
-phish
Rare Hero
> Disappointed?? I would be ecstatic if there was no pointless teeter-
> totter or coffee can joker. As long as the crane is still there I
> would be content. So if anyone finds these at a Costco in the PA area
> let me know :)
Hah...yeah I suppose it would be faster ....I dunno, I'm not a fan of
there being 2 variations...just makes things confusing for everyone.
What's next, Shrek w/ no mini-pinball or Spidey with no drop bank or
magnet? *shrug*
Greg
rob...@classicparts.com
You will still have to pay the Tax from Sears since they have
locations In Kansas and Missouri, and I assume every other state.
mikeo
shipped to another state. Sears is established in all states and thus
is required to collect sales tax for the state the item is delivered
to. The reason you don't pay sales tax when you get things shipped in
from out of state is that the seller does not happen to have a retail
presence in your state. That is why even on ebay auctions you will
see the comment that buyers from the seller's state are responsible
for that state's sales tax on the item.
Mike O.
Team-EM
On May 27, 1:51 pm, freeplayer <fclandp...@yahoo.com> wrote:
mikeo
decontented or not - and report back here.
Mike O.
Team-EM
Lloyd Olson
last few years, to say the least.
And quite recently they could build them for less than 3K.
"phishrace" <phis...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:83d180b0-7d9c-481f...@q36g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
freeplayer
Well phish, since you're now the economic price Guru for Stern, tell
us Einstein that Costco decided to just sell these at a $100 markup.
Better yet, Gary Stern got such a great deal when he purchased a 55
gallon drum of Mayo at Costco he decided to return the favor and
unload BDK's for below factory cost. You can buy into the BS that
Stern Distributors are paying in the $3's, not me. Now I'll suck it
up and say I'm sorry with some posts of factory distributor invoice
prices...hold your breath. Oh and Sears in losing money too, $1,639
off retail because they like me, dude you have to be blind not to see
that these are marked up $2,000 on average. IMO
Sparky
>
> - Show quoted text -
...and again, if you're ordering from Sears, it doesn't matter how the
games in the KS Costco are configured. You could get a fully
assembled, original from Sears for the "price-matched" price.
Rare Hero
> decontented or not - and report back here.
Cool. So they have them open on display? Or do they allow you to
open the box at Costco?
Greg
BoJo
Don't get wrong and BDK is a great game. I just don't care for those
two items and fell they could have better used that real estate on the
PF. But it still would not stop me from getting one at that price.
I imagine Stern is still making the metal aprons and PF rails or how
else would places like PBL still be able to carry them. Seems like
they are double dipping. Remove them from the shipped machine to save
costs and then sell them separately to suppliers at a higher price so
home consumers can by them to add on. Nice plan if you ask me.
Joe Jet
> My wife just called me and said there are three BDK pins for sale at
> $3299 each at our local Costco. I assume this is a decent price for a
> NIB BDK?
>
> If this was a Spiderman I would be all over one.
>
> Mike O.
> Team-EM
My guess is there are VERY few of these.. closeout at a loss.. missing
parts? Were on the floor? The sears match would be cool that that
trick could work, assuming Sears even HAS stock.
So Sears will match based on WHAT? I didnt see a website or ad link
in this thread...I just see WOF and Dale Jr. for 4K.?
Rare Hero
> Don't get wrong and BDK is a great game. I just don't care for those
> two items and fell they could have better used that real estate on the
> PF.
True - but, knowing that they're supposed to be there...and now
they're not....I mean, it's not like a missing Joker reveal has been
replaced w/ something more functional. If it's gone, it's just
gone...I'd rather see the Joker there.
I bet there are other non-essential things missing too....the toys,
maybe more? I guess we'll find out when someone gets one or sees it
in the store.
Greg
phishrace
Let's go a little farther with your fuzzy logic. Remember the $2500
WOF's that were sold in Canada recently? That must mean that Stern can
build them for ~$2K each. By your way of reasoning, Stern is now
charging more than 2X times what it costs to build them. OMG!!!
-phish
freeplayer
It's based on the Details/FAQs here
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12605_NB_CSpricematch?adCell=WF&adCell=WF
Sears website shows BDK in stock. You need your Costco Membership
card, need to speak with store Manager, need to have patience as some
stores will try to dance out of matching the price, stand your ground
and ask the Manager to call Costco and confirm the $3,200 NIB or out
of the box, still new since Costco does not sell used items, plus they
have 3 in stock.
Rare Hero
STERN PINBALL, INC. - there seems to be some confusion about Costco.
We're running a test with Costco at a few stores. The game at Costco
is a lower featured, lower priced version it's not the same
BoJo
Why is everyone so surprised? There are always huge markup on
electronics. How much do you think your TV cost to make? If you knew
you might not want to buy one again. My buddy used to work at a TV
store and the Sony XBR TV's they were selling for 5K cost them 3K, so
that is a 2K markup. And I bet it cost Sony a lot less then 3K to
make it.
The iPhone breakdown cost is $180 and they retail for $600-700, so
that is over a 3x markup.
http://gizmodo.com/5302080/isuppli-the-iphone-3gs-costs-17896-to-build-4-more-than-previous-model
MRG
But Sears does not know that....
kbliznick
the lower price this will only hurt Stern in the long run. If Sears
loses money on these games because of mistaken price matches then
Sears will stop carrying them.
Plus it's essentially lieing and stealing to do this knowing that it's
really a different model.
machine.slave
snap a couple with your phone
Lloyd Olson
it. Not to mention make buying used games later very interesting. LTG :(
"Rare Hero" <rareh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3b9a959f-bd41-4fc8...@z13g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
freeplayer
Phishrace, are you a Stern Distributor? C'mon dude coffee is
brewing...do you honestly believe that both Sears and Costco are
losing money. It's the distributors that control the market. Costco
probably has a minimal mark up on BDK. Why does a 2X retail markup
surprise you? Stern builds it for X amount, marks it up, wholesales
to a distributor who marks it up for retail. Costco just pierced the
margin of retail mark up IMO.
You don't see the local distributors running down to Costco to buy
them for $3,200, perhaps they should just to take them out of the
marketplace.
Now I just got off the phone with Costco regarding the nonsense of
toys and other items missing from the playfield, assured me that pins
are new, as shipped from the factory or return pin for a full
refund.
Mike Schudel
It's only lying and stealing if you read rgp and this thread, which I
didn't, so I'm ok. I will call Sears here shortly. :-)
--
Mike S.
Kalamazoo, MI
Gameroom: http://tinyurl.com/yxzavc
W C S Owner's List: http://tinyurl.com/8ua2n
Gameroom Video: http://tinyurl.com/y8vmz6k
azpinlawyer
Thank you, Kris, for pointing this out. Apparently, it's either okay
for some to steal if they don't get caught or it's okay for some to
steal from a big company.
Mike Schudel
> Oh my gosh. Here come the home games. This has disaster written all over
> it. Not to mention make buying used games later very interesting. LTG :(
Will it have a coin door? Hmmmm.
kbliznick
I work in manufacturing and a 3X mark-up from factory cost to retail
cost is actually typical on consumer goods. That mark-up usually
decreases with larger purchases (ie car retail prices are not 3X
factory cost.)
Rare Hero
> "Lloyd Olson" <l...@ssbilliards.com> wrote in message...
> > Oh my gosh. Here come the home games. This has disaster written all over
> > it. Not to mention make buying used games later very interesting. LTG :(
>
> Will it have a coin door? Hmmmm.
Yeah....interesting. If it still has coin-op capability, why wouldn't
ops want this version? They don't care if it's missing features. I
bet at the very least the mechs are missing. ...I'd also bet that
it's got some custom "FREE ONLY" software. ....purely speculation, I'm
sure we'll find out soon enough. :)
Greg
Lloyd Olson
and then wonder why their game is missing stuff. And all the bad seller
posts.
Now I see why stern doesn't want bashing on their facebook page.
Preventative thinking.
"Mike Schudel" <schu...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:k1ALn.33254$wV2....@newsfe23.iad...
Mike
I want a PICTURE of this in the Costco store in question...come on
guys...has NOBODY gone down to the store yet after all this talk?
appetite4pinball
I would guess that the software would have to be different to
compensate for the missing motor's and solenoid's.
Mike
MRG
than most people can get it for? Or is it because $3299 is a good "buy
in" point for most people. Another words can Stern sell more games to
the home market at $3299 than $4299?
kbliznick
Of course you guys realize that the more we specualte the more ideas
we give Stern on what to cut out.
Could they remove the entire coin door? They would could move the
diagnostic switches to the head or simply mount them on the inside of
the cab (inside of the cab might make troubleshooting more difficult.)
So Stern did listen to everyone here and made seperate models after
all, 1 for coin-op and 1 for home. Only they went in the wrong
direction for the collectors in that the home models will be lower
cost/less parts instead of high cost/higher quality.
Free-play ONLY software might be difficult as you could just upload
the regular ROM images from their website. They would have to make a
hardware change (like the PAL chip in the LOTR LE's)
Lloyd Olson
days, return for full refund. Ops can now make money operating pinball. LTG
:)
"Rare Hero" <rareh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ec7fae0b-48f2-406e...@e34g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
Lloyd Olson
"appetite4pinball" <mgsi...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7c96253b-57e7-48f4...@c13g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
phishrace
Did you not read that these games are missing parts? Or doesn't that
matter?
You also shouldn't assume that the seller is the only one who can lose
money in the deal. I'm sure Stern would prefer it that way, but that's
not real world.
-phish
Lloyd Olson
LTG :)
"appetite4pinball" <mgsi...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7c96253b-57e7-48f4...@c13g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
I would guess that the software would have to be different to
MHS
teeter, and slide rails at over $1000? WTF?
machine.slave
what they can to stay afloat.. I don't see the harm in it, and the
models are easy enough for us collectors to spot the differences down
the road.
My $0.02 CAD
Cobra99
Might be 0.0202 US soon :)
How hard would it be to just get the parts you wanted to bring this up
to a normal machine?
If it doesn't effect gameplay why do you need it anyways.
freeplayer
> So, I'm curious. Does this mean that Stern valued the joker can,
> teeter, and slide rails at over $1000? WTF?
Okay on the phone with Stern now asking about the regular BDK for
operators and the special edition one built just for Costco. Answer
is: there in only one BDK, one BDK parts and service manual
http://www.sternpinball.com/downloads/BATMAN_SGM/BATMAN_SEC4_CHP1_PINKpages.pdf
I'll assume this is the way the new run of BDK is being produced, home
or location are the same pin.
MHS
>
> If it doesn't effect gameplay why do you need it anyways.
I hear what you're saying, but by that logic, why not just ship
whitewoods? Why have pf plastics? Why have side art?
It's designed as a total package / experience...
gpsdrew
> Oh my gosh. Here come the home games. This has disaster written all over
> it. Not to mention make buying used games later very interesting. LTG :(
>
I agree Lloyd, I would have gotten screwed for sure when I was a
newbie if there had been two versions of Spiderman.
No doubt I would have ended up with the one that just had a sticker
plastered where Sandman was supposed to be.
What's next manual pushrod flippers and ball feeds?
Drew
appetite4pinball
I would be curious to see what the bill of materials is for the Costco
BDK vs. standard IM? If it's just missing the teeter totter and joker
can i would think it would be pretty close? I'd seriously consider
either of these games if i could pick them up from my local Costco for
under $3500 out the door (after tax).
-Mike
freeplayer
Okay this is the scoop, not everyone at Stern knows what the deal is.
Stern is experimenting with a slightly scaled down version of BDK
exclusive to Costco only, couple of less toys, has the Crane, can only
be set on freeplay, and I'm told it cannot be upgraded to accept
quarters or add the missing toys. I'm not dropping any names but the
dude at Stern mentioned he just learned during our phone conversation
that the game was in the field at Costco.
Sears does not have this BDK. I gotta tell you Stern really dropped
the ball on this...WTF! No mention of this new Costco home BDK, not
even on Sterns website. Huge consumer disclosure issues here. Not to
mention Sears probably has no clue they are price matching to beat
Costco, and it's not even the same product. I would be pretty pissed
if I rushed down to buy one at Costco only to find out it's not the
same as BDK I played on location.
Well I do suppose congratulations is in order to Gary Stern who
finally created a true HUO Pin. You no longer need to ask if it was
ever operated on location. If you want the original BDK you may need
to ask if it can be set on quarter play. I don't know about the rest
of you, but this version kinda takes the thrill out of owning one.
IMO
mikeo
playing the heck out of it. Two more sitting on pallets in boxes.
Mike O.
Team-EM
On May 27, 2:08 pm, Rare Hero <rarehero...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On May 27, 12:02 pm, mikeo <mi...@dmwcc.com> wrote:
>
> > I'll stop by after work today and verify the configuration - if it is
> > decontented or not - and report back here.
>
> Cool. So they have them open on display? Or do they allow you to
> open the box at Costco?
>
> Greg
MHS
If this is true, doesn't it officially legitimize the home use market
in Stern's eyes after years of them claiming we didn't matter?
They've made an effort recently to finish and deepen the code in there
games, and now a true HUO machine?
kbliznick
> of you, but this version kinda takes the thrill out of owning one.
> IMO
Huh, How would you know, you don't own one yet??
MHS
> games,
their...
freeplayer
The pins are all labeled BDK at Stern, at Sears, and at Costco. My
question is that if you're shopping for a BDK at Sears and at Costco,
you see both titles, one priced at $3,299 the other priced at $4,699.
Sears does not offer the $3,299 version and Costo does not offer the
$4,699 version. How is that stealing? You're assuming that everyone
who buys a pinball is an rgp member.
I believe Stern dropped the disclosure ball here. Home BDK Version
vs. Professional Operator Version. Consumers are not mind readers,
you don't know what you don't know, at the end of the day Stern had a
obligation to inform both consumers and retailers of the difference
between the two pins...IMHO
Just curious, how many ordered a BDK at Sears today ;)
Brian Munn
> On May 27, 4:14 pm, MHS <mhst...@mac.com> wrote:
>
> and the special edition one built just for Costco. Answer
You mean ZIZZLE edition don't you? Special Edition would imply more
value. What is really sad is with the recent software update BDK has
turned into a top 3 stern. Nice way to undercut a great title. Gary
must be related to the captain of the Titantic! He sure doesn't
recognize an iceberg when he sees it!
Brian
Detroit Pinball
freeplayer
> in there
>
> > games,
>
> their...
yeah I know, their, there...spaced, actually was thinking about the
last time I played it on location, to, too you figured it out
Hunty
it will if they SELL. Getting people to play an arcade-quality pinball
machine setup on free play in the front of Costco is easy. Getting
them to shell out $3200 for one of their very own to take home is the
tricky part. I've heard that Costco quietly stopped carrying home-
model video game cabinets because they weren't selling well enough, so
I think this will be the acid test for arcade-quality home model
pinball machines. If these sell well, I think THAT will "officially
legitimize the home use market in Stern's eyes", but if these bomb
then from here on out any time anyone asks Stern to think of the home
users, Stern will point to this and say "We tried that. Where were
you?"
MHS
sorry, I was correcting myself. Didn't mean to reply to you.
freeplayer
it's all good
machine.slave
right? Hopefully there's something cosmetic in the front at least..
just to keep the look of it.
Stavs
How do you know this was Gary's decision? Perhaps it was the urging of
the new investors? You can all speculate all you want, but whats the
point until there are more FACTS?
Also, I think Stern needs to get on the horn and alert Sears that some
unscrupulous folks will no doubt be going the price match route. Just
remember...karma bites you in the ass big time.
kbliznick
>
> The pins are all labeled BDK at Stern, at Sears, and at Costco. My
> question is that if you're shopping for a BDK at Sears and at Costco,
> you see both titles, one priced at $3,299 the other priced at $4,699.
> Sears does not offer the $3,299 version and Costo does not offer the
> $4,699 version. How is that stealing? You're assuming that everyone
> who buys a pinball is an rgp member.
My point has nothing to do with people who are not reading this on RGP
who does not know the difference in the machines.
Those who knowingly try to con a Sears manager to give them a discount
on these 2 different models is stealing. Plain and Simple.
Undoubtably the 2 products will have 2 different SKU's (otherwise
known as bar codes or product numbers), thus when Sears Manager
actually runs the product # through their system they will see that it
is a different product, and it should deny the price match. (same
deal as when they have the same Nintendo console, but one is bundled
with different games and is a different color at a different price, or
when there is a 6 pack or Coke versus a 12 pack, or a million other
similar products that come in different quantities, styles, colors,
quality etc)
Daniel Tonks
>
> How do you know this was Gary's decision? Perhaps it was the urging of
> the new investors? You can all speculate all you want, but whats the
> point until there are more FACTS?
As much as Gary got a bad rep around here, I think these new investors are
making an even larger impact, and in a more visible area. All of the minor
but welcomed physical improvements made over the past 4 years ago are being
summarily stripped out. Metal is being replaced with plastic. Toys are being
removed in an "experiment".
And seriously, if BDK was a brand new title, what are the odds that the new
CostCo Extra Lite version would actually be the normal coin-op industry
version?
- Dan
Rare Hero
> And seriously, if BDK was a brand new title, what are the odds that the new
> CostCo Extra Lite version would actually be the normal coin-op industry
> version?
I wonder why they chose to re-design Batman (had to cost something!)
when they already have cost reduced games...NBA, BBH, IM. Sure, I
wonder if perhaps they had too many Batman parts vs. how many full
games they were likely to build....this was a good way to make money
on spare playfields/translites/etc. *shrug* ...I dunno, otherwise, I
don't get it.
Greg
Lloyd Olson
unfinished ones ? Of course if we build with just what we have on hand, they
could mix and match pins too. Coming soon to an outlet near you, Iron Guy,
followed up with Pirates Fortune, and coming soon Big Rings. The
possibilities are endless. LTG :)
"Rare Hero" <rareh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:479fa114-07db-4dba...@u3g2000prl.googlegroups.com...
chuck
None of this surprises me. Major warehouse resellers do this kinda
thing all the time. I used to work with buyers of major corporations
and they told me how they work. Warehouse resellers go to the
manufacturers and ask them to make reduced functionality (many time
quality) versions of their popular items. Then when the consumer goes
to buy a whirlpool washer from ABC warehouse the one at Sams looks
really similar but is much less. The consumer buys it thinking they
are the same when they're not. Actually ABC seems to do a little of
this themselves. So no surprise here. I think it will ultimately be a
failure for the same reason every home version of a pinball machine
has failed before. No ops will ever buy them. We won't buy a gimped
version when we can buy HUO pins for about the same price. So that
leaves the unsuspecting consumer. Sure they will sell a few but even a
3300+tax pinball machine is not an impulse item for 99.9% of the
population and the minor price reduction won't make enough of a
difference.
Of course I've been completely wrong before ;-) Although there is the
old saying, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat
it."
riggy469
> Maybe they didn't have enough parts to build real BDK's, and dumped 48
> unfinished ones ? Of course if we build with just what we have on hand, they
> could mix and match pins too. Coming soon to an outlet near you, Iron Guy,
> followed up with Pirates Fortune, and coming soon Big Rings. The
> possibilities are endless. LTG :)
>
>
> news:479fa114-07db-4dba...@u3g2000prl.googlegroups.com...
>
> I wonder why they chose to re-design Batman (had to cost something!)
> when they already have cost reduced games...NBA, BBH, IM. Sure, I
> wonder if perhaps they had too many Batman parts vs. how many full
> games they were likely to build....this was a good way to make money
> on spare playfields/translites/etc. *shrug* ...I dunno, otherwise, I
> don't get it.
>
> Greg
More importantly, what is in the place of the Joker can and see-saw
ramp? Personally, I always thought the Joker can was a stupid idea,
and if the only major changes are those two toys (and obviously the
"dumbing down" of certain parts, suck as the apron) I would be in the
camp of contemplating a purchase, if they became available locally.
Brian
>
> I wonder why they chose to re-design Batman (had to cost something!)
> when they already have cost reduced games...NBA, BBH, IM. Sure, I
> wonder if perhaps they had too many Batman parts vs. how many full
> games they were likely to build....this was a good way to make money
> on spare playfields/translites/etc. *shrug* ...I dunno, otherwise, I
> don't get it.
>
> Greg
My guess is that Batman is the logical choice for being able to reduce
costs but basically keep the same game. What could you do to bring
prices down on IM or BBH? Replacing the coffee can assembly most
likely saved a few hundred dollars.
Additionally, this allows them to keep producing Batmans for the coin-
op market and gives Stern three games they can produce week to week.
Unlike many people, I think this is a great idea. Stern is doing what
it needs to survive and make money.
Brian
Rare Hero
> My guess is that Batman is the logical choice for being able to reduce
> costs but basically keep the same game. What could you do to bring
> prices down on IM or BBH? Replacing the coffee can assembly most
> likely saved a few hundred dollars.
Iron Man is so bare-bones already I wonder if they COULD sell it for
$3299 and make money. I'm trying to figure out the numbers on
Batman ...lets say removing the Joker Reveal, Bridge, toys, coindoor
stuff...lets say that saves $500 from the Bill of Materials. The game
is still selling for about $1500 less than "real" BDKs. I guess the
profit margin is less on the Costco ones than the real ones? ...and if
a stripped down BDK which still has a moving toy like the crane can
sell for $3299, why on earth couldn't Iron Man sell for $3299? I
dunno, I think this whole thing just makes us question what we're
paying for....well, makes me think about it since I just bought a BDK
and IM ...lol.
Greg
mikeo
Sorry, no pictures yet. Didn't have a camera with me.
Here is what I noticed compared to the pictures on IPDB. Keep in mind
I have never seen or played a BDK until tonight on this one. Here are
the things I can see:
No "can" around the joker. Joker is there, though.
No other figurines on the playfield other than Joker.
No drawbridge arrangement on the left. Just a return ramp with some
plastics standing on edge on top of it.
No drop target in front of the Joker.
Plastic instruction card holder.
Single slot coin door. Don't know if it holds a coin mech.
No tournament start button but the recess is there.
Assuming it displays the game rom revision on start up, it reads S3.0.
I want to say there is something different in the area of the center
ramp. IIRC it just returns the ball to the left inlane where it looks
like there is a wire ramp above the center ramp on IPDB that I don't
remember.
And is that supposed to be an upper playfield on the right? Not there
on the Costco version.
The game plays well, like a brand new Stern. Can't speak to how it
plays compared to an original.
I'll get pictures when I can.
Mike O.
Team-EM
On May 27, 12:08 pm, mikeo <mi...@dmwcc.com> wrote:
> My wife just called me and said there are three BDK pins for sale at
> $3299 each at our local Costco. I assume this is a decent price for a
> NIB BDK?
>
> If this was a Spiderman I would be all over one.
>
> Mike O.
> Team-EM
chuck
Why sell the latest and greatest thing for 3300 when you can sell them
for 3900-4100 depending on your source? I look at IM and think they
are making great money on it. That's what they need to do. If they
don't make good money they die. Especially after a few stinkers in a
row (NBA, 24, CSI)
freeplayer
Stealing goes both ways. Stern needs to do more than just alert
Sears, unsuspecting newbies, first time hobbyists who may have played
a real BDK at a movie theater or on location using a quarter, need to
know they are not getting the same product, toy for toy, feature for
feature. It's consumer fraud plain and simple to give the consumer an
illusion that Sears and Costco products are equal, not to mention the
confusion and drama it has caused on rgp.
Rare Hero
> Ok, I stopped on the way home from work and played the Costco BDK.
> Sorry, no pictures yet. Didn't have a camera with me.
>
> Here is what I noticed compared to the pictures on IPDB. Keep in mind
> I have never seen or played a BDK until tonight on this one. Here are
> the things I can see:
>
> No "can" around the joker. Joker is there, though.
>
> No other figurines on the playfield other than Joker.
>
> No drawbridge arrangement on the left. Just a return ramp with some
> plastics standing on edge on top of it.
>
> No drop target in front of the Joker.
>
> Plastic instruction card holder.
>
> Single slot coin door. Don't know if it holds a coin mech.
>
> No tournament start button but the recess is there.
>
> Assuming it displays the game rom revision on start up, it reads S3.0.
>
> I want to say there is something different in the area of the center
> ramp. IIRC it just returns the ball to the left inlane where it looks
> like there is a wire ramp above the center ramp on IPDB that I don't
> remember.
>
> And is that supposed to be an upper playfield on the right? Not there
> on the Costco version.
>
> The game plays well, like a brand new Stern. Can't speak to how it
> plays compared to an original.
>
> I'll get pictures when I can.
Thanks for the report! WOW, those who are saying they want it because
the Joker & Bridge are stupid are going to find this pretty
unacceptable....no drop target and especially no Bat Gadgets mini-pf
on the right is a MAJOR blow to the original layout and gameplay.
Zoinks. Now the price makes more sense...if the upper divertor is
gone, that probably means the 4-lamp gadgets plastic is gone, the
upper PF w/ it's switches, posts, rubbers....the cuts are adding up
now. Definitely wanna see pics though....sounds fascinating. Did
they remove the backboard plastic w/ the Bat Signal? I can totally
see them getting rid of that as well since it's got a bunch of lamp
fixtures attached.
Greg
kbliznick
Caveat Emptor! Stern has stolen nothing by putting out a reduced
features version. Besides who ever advertises limited features as a
selling point, "hey come buy our Honda, It's a stripped down version
of the Acura without the leather seats or nice radio." It's not as
nice as the Acura but functionally it's 99% the same car.
You haven't even seen the game yet so it's silly to make such a stink
about it. From the sounds of it, it sounds like the game is similar
enough, especially considering it's still got the same circuit boards,
same PF, same cabinet,etc. The BOM is probably 99% similar. It's not
like it's a offbrand bootleg or a Zizzle machine being passed off as
the real thing.
The same goes for any other product under the Sun. Go out and buy the
cheapest Model Fooseball table or Crummy pool table at Costco or Toys
R Us and then complain when it's of inferior quality to the one you
played at the bar that actually cost 5X-10X as much.
As a buyer it is my duty to do my own research on what I am going to
spend my hard earned money.