Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!apple!motcsd!hpda!hpcupt1!swh
From: swh@hpcupt1.HP.COM (Steve Harrold)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Ridiculous Problems with MS Mouse
Message-ID: <-286529977@hpcupt1.HP.COM>
Date: 16 Oct 89 15:50:02 GMT
References: <111700155@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Cupertino
Lines: 36

Re: Replacement cord for mouse

While I'm not condoning MS's refusal to just send you the replacement cord
for your chewed up mouse, its position is quite usual for any supplier
of any goods.

Consider the page in your novel that you spilled coffee on.  Would you
expect the publisher to send you just that one replacement page?

Consider that gasket that you need to replace in your dishwasher.  Would
you expect the manufacturer to send you just that one piece instead of
some kind of fixup kit with a lot of redundant hardware?

The problem boils down to the cost of inventory.  There is no way any
profitable supplier can provide a part number for every single part that
comprises his products.  The part mix is constantly changing even though
the product specifications remain constant. (As a matter of fact, software
suppliers do this too; just knowing the version number is often inadequate,
as they also need to know the dates of the files on the disks.)

The following paragraph is pure speculation:  How do you know which of
three connectors were used inside your particular mouse to connect the
cable to the rodent?  Since the mouse is only known as the MS Mouse, 
how can MS know which connector is present unless they look inside?
Should they send you three cables, each with a different connector?
Should they charge you the cost of one cable or for three?  Since this
cable is not normally considered a consumable (like spark plugs), is it
reasonable to set up special bookkeeping to track cat chewing problems?

If the manufacturer did indeed provide for all these possibilities, it
has to be paid for somehow.  Should I be elated that my cost for his 
product is going to be higher? (And I don't even own a cat.)

Please don't get me wrong.  Emotionally, I'm on your side with respect
to the needed repair.  All I ask is that you consider your problem in
light of everything else that is going on.