maxi pad

TheMalls bought Elek-Tek that was around the corner from where I work, too, many years ago.

HP's going to make one last production run of TouchPads.

http://t.co/l4SWG3o

That's going to be interesting. I'm sure the folks at DataVis are begging for product allocation from that run. Their customers are getting restless and the negative feedback has started pouring in on eBay. They were at 99.4% positive before this ordeal began. They're down to 99.1% right now. If they really are canceling all orders, some quick math tells me their 12-month rating will fall below 85% in the next two weeks which, if eBay follows their own policies, will result in a loss of their Top-Rated Seller status and a downgrade (or even freeze) of their account.

And they have finally broken their silence:

Quote

We understand everyone's frustrations and feel as let down as you all. Anyone disputing is automatically refunded. It is just how the system works on our side since the funds are frozen. Whether you are delivered or not, each customer will be compensated with a coupon/promo. We are working on it at this moment.

We also understand the hurricane of reviews has already started and certainly know its long term affect on our company. We will still process any open order when inventory is available, and upgrade those who have already been notified to the 32GB. HP has not made anything official about remaking the TPs. If they do, it will be 8 weeks+ and we can not hold your money that long. Further...When they do get released, HP will not sell them for $99, at least that is what they are telling us, since they cost $300ish to make. We know it will not make a dent in the overall, but there will be many of you who do get your touchpads tomorrow and Thursday and we thank you ALL for your patience and consideration.

What? You mean HP won't continue to lose $250 per unit sold? But so many web articles are telling me how great a business strategy that is!

Amazon has some in stock at $250-$260 each. I wonder if this represents the true value of the product, in its current state. If so, it's still under the reported cost of manufacturing them.

They just deleted all posts from their FB page going back to August 11th. Heh.

I think the true value at retail would be closer to $299. I think the $250 range right now is artificially deflated by the fire-sale.

Wow.

They just sent a long email to all of the TouchPad customers. It included a full timeline of the events including screenshots of emails from HP and their distributors as well as inventory systems and even their Amex account activity page.

Bottom line: they got screwed BADLY. Most of what they have been saying to customers over the last 10 days appears to be correct. The only thing I couldn't find in their information is the mythical Freight Tracking Number they promised.

They did make an effort to compensate their customers as well. They're giving each person a $50 eBay gift certificate. That's going to cost them close to half a million dollars alone.

Saying they had a freight tracking number that they didn't have was a mistake. Not providing more frequent updates was another mistake. In my opinion, they've made up for those mistakes. It looks like a lot of other customers feel the same way as there are a bunch of positive feedback entries showing up now but they're still outnumbered by negatives.

USA Today headline:

"Apple should take Amazon tablet seriously"

I can imagine the scene in Cupertino: "Yikes! This Amazon tablet is gonna make us look like bozos. We gotta do something quick. Frank, call the boys in engineering to see what they can come up with. Get marketing on the line. Pour me a stiff drink."

Amazon has a tablet?

Quote
peter
"Yikes! This Amazon tablet is gonna make us look like bozos.

So long as it doesn't make them look like Bezos!

By the way, it looks like HP's reasons for producing more Touchpads may be the ones that I originally suggested: They have signed deals with component suppliers and fabs.

No WebOS for Samsung.

I thought this was informative, at least, showing iPad vs Win8 Tablet thingy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSdfGzF60M

It is; Win8 is displaying the wrong time.

yeah, that's the first ? I had, too. :)

HP's WebOS division lays off 500 employees.

Amazon might buy WebOS. Actually sounds like a great strategic move for Amazon, making them an iOS/Android peer. Not dependent on Google's good will or subject to the outcomes of the current lawsuits. Not that WebOS won't get sued once it starts to get traction...

I had an HP guy/rep ask me if I'd use a TouchPad or two if he were able to get it/them. Said SURE. I'll see if it comes to pass.

I wonder how the new retail Google Store will do (see Slashdot.) They have their tablet and accessories, a beak and nothing else.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2011 08:43AM by Madaracs.