claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.027
Junk Drawer hosts review Elvira machine issues and Stern customer service while celebrating New Year's.
Stern's customer service is 'dog shit' and 'comically bad' with non-responsive support
high confidence · Host experienced multiple unacknowledged emails regarding Elvira deadheads and broken rubber issues
Dave Fix departure from American Pinball coincided with their lunchbox finally shipping after years of delays
medium confidence · Correlation noted between Fix's departure announcement and lunchbox shipment occurring same day; host jokes this suggests Fix was blocking the order
Elvira machine arrived with multiple issues: two non-functional deadheads and a broken rubber by lowest pop bumper
high confidence · Host documented receiving unit with manufacturing defects out of box
Stern glass installation on newer machines is problematic and requires significant physical adjustment
high confidence · Host described glass installation as 'harrowing' and filed down plastic rails to resolve fit issues
Elvira deadheads pop off and require Gorilla Glue re-attachment; this is a known issue discussed on Pinside forums
high confidence · Host researched on Pinside and found it's a common maintenance requirement after initial failure
“Stern's customer service is for dog shit. It is the worst. It is so bad, like comically bad.”
Foghorn Leghorn (host) @ ~17:30 — Direct criticism of manufacturer support quality; suggests systemic customer service problem at Stern
“I can only assume that basically Dave Fix was the reason we weren't getting our lunchbox. Allegedly.”
Craft Brew Sally @ ~2:45 — Humorous speculation linking American Pinball personnel change to order fulfillment issues
“This machine is so fun. And she is such a goofball.”
Foghorn Leghorn @ ~23:15 — Despite mechanical issues, host expresses genuine enthusiasm for Elvira gameplay and personality
“You have to be very obsessive and really dedicated to be good. Good enough to do top one or two.”
Foghorn Leghorn @ ~44:00 — Commentary on competitive pinball skill requirements and tournament play dynamics
“I'll give it away before I'll sell it to you for $1,000.”
Frankenstein pinball seller (recounted) @ ~37:45 — Anecdote about market dynamics and seller-buyer friction in pinball secondary market
event_signal: Lumberjack Johnny's hosted New Year's Eve tournament with elimination-style bracket format across multiple machines
high · Hosts participated in tournament with 10 players; lowest score eliminated per machine; duck race giveaway component
operational_signal: Stern customer service systematically non-responsive to support requests, lacking automated ticketing or basic acknowledgment protocols
high · Multiple unanswered emails over several days regarding machine defects; no auto-reply even during holiday closure; contrast with one responsive support interaction
design_philosophy: Stern's newer glass installation design has physical fit issues requiring manual file-down of plastic rails
high · Host describes glass removal/installation as 'harrowing' and manually filed plastic rail components to improve fitment
personnel_signal: Dave Fix departure from American Pinball coincided with long-delayed lunchbox shipment to customers
medium · Hosts jokingly speculate Fix was responsible for order delays; departure announcement and shipment occurred same day after years of non-fulfillment
announcement: Stern released Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Tyrant to positive community reception
high · Hosts note game 'was actually very well received' despite initial concern about niche appeal; described as 'really beautiful machine'
groq_whisper · $0.082
sentiment_shift: Elvira machine characterized as fun and engaging despite significant maintenance requirements and out-of-box issues
high · Host expresses enthusiasm ('so fun', 'such a goofball') while documenting multiple technical issues; discusses long Pinside troubleshooting thread
product_concern: Elvira machines showing multiple out-of-box defects: non-functional deadheads, broken rubber, indicating potential QA/manufacturing issues at Stern
high · Two deadheads didn't work, mystery rubber broken behind ramp by lowest pop bumper, glass installation problems documented