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#50979 - 22/12/2001 20:16 Price Drop
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Guys,

Sorry I didn't make an announcement about this. I would have done so if anyone had bothered to tell me that this was going to happen, and likewise I would have updated the international prices.

I'll adjust the store on Monday, but we won't be dispatching anything from the international store until the new year (January 2nd).

I _assume_ that SB are going to honour the 30 day price promise. If you bought a player at the previous price within the last 30 days, contact SB right away. You might find you get a much faster response by phoning, even if you have to hold for a while. If you purchased from the International store, we won't be processing any refunds until the new year (assuming SB give the go-ahead to do so) so just email [email protected] and we'll get back to you.

Note that the UK store is now out of tuner modules, and I suspect the same will be true in the US very soon. I'd encourage you not to stock pile spares - it would be nice if as many owners as possible were able to get a tuner for their car. I don't know if any more will be manufactured - I wouldn't bet on it.

Rob

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#50980 - 22/12/2001 20:34 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
Liufeng
member

Registered: 14/09/1999
Posts: 149
Loc: Alaska
hmmm,

I ordered a spare just like half the world.. I can't believe these prices. I hope this isn't some sort of clerical error or worse... hacking.... What do you think the chances, considering Rob didn't know about it, that someone hacked the web site and changed the prices as a joke? Something to think about.


-Tom
_________________________
Reg #2845: Mark 1 #00173, Mark 2 #119, Mark 2a

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#50981 - 22/12/2001 20:37 Re: Price Drop [Re: Liufeng]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I doubt that's the case. I was aware that the plan was to sell all of the stock by the end of the year, but I wasn't aware that the final push would be so dramatic.

I've just emailed our staff to advise them to get their own orders in before the players are gone! This is about half the current "staff discount price"


Rob

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#50982 - 22/12/2001 20:49 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
skritch
journeyman

Registered: 22/12/2001
Posts: 56
Loc: San Jose, CA
Rob -
Does this apply to all sales from the SonicBlue store, or just the international/UK orders? I just emailed [email protected] (and bounced a copy to [email protected] as well) and referenced you.

I sincerely hope they will honor the promise, and refund the difference. After all, I can return the unit, and they're not going to be able to sell the 10GB unit at $699 anymore, so it really doesn't make sense to refuse, as they lose that money either way.

Thanks for the heads up; I already ordered a second 10GB unit and tuner for my wife.
_________________________
#2529 [blue]Mk2a 10GB + Tuner[/blue] Original reg #3422 http://www.bitshift.org

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#50983 - 22/12/2001 20:57 Re: Price Drop [Re: skritch]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I've already had a few emails that I can do nothing about, because they're sent to the wrong place.

If you bought from the US eStore (i.e. you went to store.sonicblue.com and paid in US$) you need to contact SONICblue in the USA - I believe the address is [email protected]

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] can do nothing to help you, other than forward your email. This will introduce a delay because we're pretty much closed down for Christmas.

If you purchased from the international store, then go ahead and contact [email protected]. Please don't contact me direct - I work for Engineering and have zero involvement in day to day operations of either store.

Thanks

Rob

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#50984 - 22/12/2001 22:06 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
sambo99
new poster

Registered: 21/12/2001
Posts: 18
Loc: Australia
Rob,

Could you ask the guys in the international store to add Australia to the shipping country list box

Cheers

Sam


Edited by sambo99 (22/12/2001 22:08)
_________________________
Sam Saffron

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#50985 - 23/12/2001 02:15 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
mcomb
pooh-bah

Registered: 31/08/1999
Posts: 1649
Loc: San Carlos, CA
Hey Rob, is that referal offer for the fleece still good? I purchased a second unit for myself at the new low price and I think a friend of mine is going to order one tonight as well. That price is too good to pass up.

-Mike
_________________________
EmpMenuX - ext3 filesystem - Empeg iTunes integration

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#50986 - 23/12/2001 02:45 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
bonzi
pooh-bah

Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
Can I order immediately at those prices, before you update the international store?
_________________________
Dragi "Bonzi" Raos Q#5196 MkII #080000376, 18GB green MkIIa #040103247, 60GB blue

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#50987 - 23/12/2001 04:03 Re: Price Drop [Re: sambo99]
David
addict

Registered: 05/05/2000
Posts: 623
Loc: Cambridge
Australia is in the list - it just lists European countries first.

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#50988 - 23/12/2001 04:11 Re: Price Drop [Re: bonzi]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Any orders placed now will be changed to the new pricing before processing, but I haven't worked out exactly what that will be in UK pounds yet. I'll use the exchange rate at the time.

Rob

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#50989 - 23/12/2001 04:11 Re: Price Drop [Re: mcomb]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I guess so, while stocks last!

Rob

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#50990 - 23/12/2001 04:12 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
bonzi
pooh-bah

Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
Yea! OK, where's that MasterCard....
_________________________
Dragi "Bonzi" Raos Q#5196 MkII #080000376, 18GB green MkIIa #040103247, 60GB blue

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#50991 - 23/12/2001 04:57 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
mtempsch
pooh-bah

Registered: 02/06/2000
Posts: 1996
Loc: Gothenburg, Sweden
What's the status of Tuner modules? I noticed they were "Out of stock" in the international e-store - will there be any more available later on?

/Michael
_________________________
/Michael

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#50992 - 23/12/2001 06:04 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Greetings!

In a way, I feel somewhat sad for you and the other folks@empeg - watching one of the greatest audio / computer products ever made being sold at liquidation prices. I hate to think of the loss SB is taking on this, and I hope that the folks@empeg will not suffer for it.
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

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#50993 - 23/12/2001 06:18 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
thenominous
member

Registered: 22/12/2001
Posts: 189
Loc: UK
But it is safe to say that the new UK price will reflect VERY similar to the US one. www.xe.net currency convertor puts the US price at just under £140 quid.

Should I look to this as a good indication, or is it more likely to be towards the 200 mark?

Cheers

Dave

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#50994 - 23/12/2001 06:26 Re: Price Drop [Re: thenominous]
BartDG
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/05/2001
Posts: 2616
Loc: Bruges, Belgium
It should be the same, but I don't really care if it's a couple of pounds off. I've just ordered two 10gig Rio's and one 60gig (and a couple a screen colour change kits). I've got some very extatic friends now for whom the Empeg has finally gotten into their price range.

But I sure wish it had happened under different circumstances...

I hope Rob has the time to change those international stores prices soon! I've now ordered for £2050. (and my visa is limited to +/- £1400). Phew! Though I know the end price will be around £600 I must admit this scares me somewhat. I've never spent that much money in so little seconds, even if it isn't the "real" amount...(except for my car, but that was different )
_________________________
Riocar 80gig S/N : 010101580 red
Riocar 80gig (010102106) - backup

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#50995 - 23/12/2001 07:59 Re: Price Drop [Re: BartDG]
thenominous
member

Registered: 22/12/2001
Posts: 189
Loc: UK
just doing a little price comparision.The original listed price for the US 10Gb player was 699 which is about 500 quid. The UK price inc the VAT is 600 quid.

Im therefore thinking (no, hoping!) of a worse case that the UK 10Gb is gonna be 170 quid, 140 at best.

Ok, Ok, its mainly all guess work, but Im buggered if I was gonna wait till tomorrow to order them, just in case!

Im at 1200 and my limit is 1000, but Im sure ther are some other purchases on it too! :o

Cheers

Dave
-- off to frag another card

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#50996 - 23/12/2001 08:43 Re: Price Drop [Re: pgrzelak]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
We're not sad that they're going out; it's far better for a product to be appreciated by lots of people than it sitting on shelves doing noone any good. Stock doesn't age well; everyone here wasn't expecting such a big drop, but we're more out of the sales loop than we expected...

SB will be making a big loss on the liquidation; IMHO if some effort had gone into marketing & selling the unit in the first place, such a situation as this would never have arisen. Just my personal opinion.

Take advantage of it, it's an incredible steal... if anyone feels like spreading the word (for example, anyone considering a Neo of Phatbox would be mad not to look at an empeg for $199!)... feel free ;)

Hugo

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#50997 - 23/12/2001 09:04 Re: Price Drop [Re: altman]
beaker
addict

Registered: 19/08/2000
Posts: 588
Loc: England
I've already told my Niece about it. She's seriously considering one now for her MR2. Maybe I'll get a fleece at last . I'l probably get another player for myself too. I'm gonna email a guy I work with too. There are quite a few people I know who'd like one but couldn't justify the cost so I'll be letting them know as well.
_________________________
Marcus 32 gig MKII (various colours) & 30gig MKIIa

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#50998 - 23/12/2001 09:10 Re: Price Drop [Re: beaker]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
I'm in the same situation. A few people at work wanted one, but flinched at the high price a while back. The price dropped, and they looked at it again, but with the holidays they wern't sure. Now they have no excuse.

2 of my friends should be placing an order here soon, both have had extensive experience with mine on roadtrips. And I plan on ordering another one for myself, since I was planning on buying an extra dock soon for a future car if my current one gets trashed. $75 more for a second player to be used at home, I definitly can't beat that.

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#50999 - 23/12/2001 10:34 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
grgcombs
addict

Registered: 03/07/2001
Posts: 663
Loc: Dallas, TX
Speaking of, Rob, I'm curious about something. I placed an order last night (US store) for a 10 gig unit.

a) Do you think the US store had enough units to even fill what was ordered yesterday?

b) If they run out before they get to mine, is there any way to get them to adjust my order to one of the more expensive units that are still in stock (I'll pay the extra, as long as I can get one)

Greg
_________________________

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#51000 - 23/12/2001 11:16 Re: Price Drop [Re: thenominous]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I made an accurate conversion to get the UK price (see new thread). If you're in the EC you may have to pay 17.5% sales tax on top, just as our US customers may have to pay their rate of sales tax on their purchases.

Rob

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#51001 - 23/12/2001 11:18 Re: Price Drop [Re: mtempsch]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I suspect we won't get any more stock.

Hugo is looking at ways to alleviate this problem. Options could include a "free licence" of the design if someone is interested in manufacturing them.

Rob

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#51002 - 23/12/2001 11:20 Re: Price Drop [Re: grgcombs]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Sorry Greg, I know nothing of the US stock situation, or how their store works in such situations.

At the international store we will supply on a first come first served basis, and offer an option to change the order to a higher available model if we sell out.

Rob

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#51003 - 23/12/2001 11:27 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
BartDG
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/05/2001
Posts: 2616
Loc: Bruges, Belgium
At the international store we will supply on a first come first served basis, and offer an option to change the order to a higher available model if we sell out.

Cool! No matter what size HD I'll "have" to buy, it's still a deal that can't be beat!
_________________________
Riocar 80gig S/N : 010101580 red
Riocar 80gig (010102106) - backup

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#51004 - 23/12/2001 11:42 Re: Price Drop [Re: BartDG]
nester
new poster

Registered: 11/12/2001
Posts: 30
Loc: Louisville, KY, USA
Here's to hoping they give me the difference... I'm feeling a bit ill after all this.. $500 at christmas time goes a long way.. *sigh*

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#51005 - 23/12/2001 12:02 Re: Price Drop [Re: altman]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Greetings!

Indeed. I have been letting all of the people at work know about it. You will not have any left on the shelves, that is certain. Thanks!

And, yes, I (and probably everyone here) agree with your opinion about SB's marketing and general handling of the RioCar...
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

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#51006 - 23/12/2001 12:20 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
mtempsch
pooh-bah

Registered: 02/06/2000
Posts: 1996
Loc: Gothenburg, Sweden
Regarding Tuner modules:
I suspect we won't get any more stock.

Dang, I knew I should've gotten an extra when I ordered the tuner for my existing empeg...

Hugo is looking at ways to alleviate this problem. Options could include a "free licence" of the design if someone is interested in manufacturing them.

That would just be so great!
I recall seeing SMT stuff when peeking under the lid, but how complex is the board (layers)? Any idea how hard sourcing the components in small quantitys would be?

/Michael
_________________________
/Michael

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#51007 - 23/12/2001 12:55 Re: Price Drop [Re: altman]
bonzi
pooh-bah

Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
That's the spirit, Hugo!

You already know almost all of us share your opinion on handling empeg received from S|B. I surely hope they will not repeat the performance with other fruits of your work.

The word on discount is spreading (but not before I ordered my 60GB upgrade - old 18BG will be spare ).

Rob tells us you are considering various solutions regarding unavailability of tuner module. This prompts me to repeat what numerous people have already said: I have never encountered a company (or a group within one) so commited to their customers, by far. This includes my own company and myself personally.

I wish the new year brings you success and fewer shocks!
_________________________
Dragi "Bonzi" Raos Q#5196 MkII #080000376, 18GB green MkIIa #040103247, 60GB blue

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#51008 - 29/12/2001 06:52 Re: Price Drop [Re: rob]
crazyscot
new poster

Registered: 29/12/2001
Posts: 1
Loc: Cambridge, UK
In reply to:

I _assume_ that SB are going to honour the 30 day price promise.




Can you post a reference to this? I couldn't find any mention on the empeg, riocar or sonicblue sites, nor on the order paperwork.

Ross (bought on Nov 15 )

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