Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!nucsrl!kaufman
From: kaufman@eecs.nwu.edu (Michael L. Kaufman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: A comment about HP policies
Message-ID: <1991Apr24.021447.1916@eecs.nwu.edu>
Date: 24 Apr 91 02:14:47 GMT
Organization: EECS Department, Northwestern University
Lines: 33


About 8 months ago there was a lot of discussion about the fact that HP was 
giving away free equation library cards with the purchase of a new HP48.  Many
people (myself amoung them) felt that HP had somehow treated them shabily. We 
felt that we had supported HP by buying our 48s right away and that HP had
not returned the favor.  I would like to point out that HP did exactly the same
thing with the LaserJet IIP.  People who waited a few months were given free
paper trays (a $200 value).

Many people disagreed with our complaints.  They said that the people who 
purchased their 48s right away got the advantage of having their 48s right
away and did not deserve anything else.

The point that I tried to make then, and that I can probably make better now,
is this.  I will probably get a 95.  My father will probably get one, too.  If
HP did not have the habit of offering free incentives 5 months after introducing
new products we would buy our 95s as soon as they were available.  Now we will
wait and see.  I wonder how many people out there are not going to buy a 95 for
the same reason.  Also, given the way the market works, I wonder how many people
will end up buying products from other companies.  If Poqet drops their price
while I am waiting, I may go with a Poqet instead.

Any comments?

Michael



-- 
Michael Kaufman | I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on
 kaufman        | fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in
  @eecs.nwu.edu | the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be
                | lost in time - like tears in rain. Time to die.     Roy Batty