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From: chan@hpfcmp.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: unused gifts
Message-ID: <1140003@hpfcmp.HP.COM>
Date: Wed, 26-Aug-87 13:47:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpfcmp.1140003
Posted: Wed Aug 26 13:47:28 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Aug-87 16:41:11 EDT
References: <407@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Ft. Collins CO
Lines: 37


Flames in defense of those who pay my bills (HP):

>   Look at the math. Let's say you have a course and HP hires ten people
> each year who have taken that course. Let's assume that it would
> take each of those people 3 months to learn to use HP computers at
> work. That saves 3/12 * 10 = 2.5 man years for HP. At $25,000/year
> salary, HP would save $67,500 the first year. So, they could give you
> a $67,500 computer system and break even the first year. Plus
> they make you buy an expensive service contract, that's profit.
> They get a tax write-off, that's profit. Plus people they don't hire
> but who go to other jobs are more likely to buy HP equipment. That's
> more profit. Well, it turns out, if HP chooses courses carefully,
> they can make money by giving away equipment. Very clever.

Frankly I don't think HP is interested in hiring anyone who takes three
months to learn to use our computers. How long are your classes at Purdue
anyway? 

I wasn't aware that we *made* you buy a service contract for donated
equipment, but some of our recent donations have included service as part of
the deal as well. This has been a problem in the past since equipment
and service come from separate entities and the service organizations did
not see any benefit in providing free service. 

Is it any surprise that HP wants to benefit from its donations? Few 
companies can afford to be wonderfully benevolent and give equipment
to anyone who requests it. I don't believe that how many students we
hire is the only criteria. Our main goal is exposure to future decision
makers.

BTW, This is not in any way an official representation of the policies
of Hewlett-Packard. Just one peon's opinion.

			-- Chan Benson  {ihnp4|hplabs}!hpfcla!chan
			HP Fort Collins
			Makers of fine Un*x workstations