SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost

Posted by: Sipho

SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 00:29

During the EOL feeding frenzy I over-bought. I have two packages that I would like to sell. All items are new and unused except for one tuner that I tried just to see it in action.

Hoping to take advantage of the level of interest in the SF Bay area I would like to limit this to a face-to-face transaction. Utah would work too as I live in Utah (Park City) and work in California (Redwood City). And given the level of interest in tuners I'll conduct this sale as a lottery to make it fair (If I get more than one offer). A really really good sob-story might get me to change my plans but offering to pay more will not.

So if you are interested in either package let me know. I'll choose the winner(s) in some random, public (DJIA at end of day?) way by the end of the day on Monday, March 18th.

No, I won't break up the packages (unless they don't sell).

Package #1
$400 - 30 gig blue screen
$ 70 - tuner module
$ 30 - extra AC brick
$ 30 - extra remote
$ 25 - the shipping I paid
$555 - TOTAL

Package #2
$300 - 20 gig blue screen
$ 70 - tuner module
$ 30 - extra AC brick
$ 30 - extra remote
$ 25 - the shipping I paid
$455 - TOTAL
Posted by: darwin

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 08:54

For some people, it might even be worth a $200 flight to meet with you so they can get that tuner. =)
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 09:40

In that case they should come to Utah. The Olympics are over and the snow is good.
Posted by: loren

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 09:46

I'm interested in one of the packages. I'd prefer #2 with the 20 gig, but if it came down to it i'd take the 30 over nothing. I live in SF.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 11:18

OK. Gad, how many do you have right now? I've got 4 but I'm trying to reduce it to 2
Posted by: loren

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 11:31

I've got 2 personally, and my girlfriend has 2 as well, one of which she is selling to a friend. I'm buying this one for a friend as well. =]

Oh yeah... and when you say you work in the Valley... do you commute that far or do you have your own plane or what?! That's quite the commute.
Posted by: sancho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 12:20

i'm interested in either package...

if you rethink your sf/utah stipulation
--
sancho
sancho[at]teamrocs[dot]org
texan
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 12/03/2002 18:55

After 4 years I should own one of Delta's planes but I just rent one seat at a time. Two things make the trip livable: I alternate weeks and I stay with my parents.
Posted by: mail2mm

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 01:04

Well, I hope that I am in the right place at the right time this once. I do not commute as you do but spend lots of time in Palo Alto visting in laws (where I am now), Casper, Wyoming (my hometown) and Auckland, New Zealand where I now live. I have a Mk2a, without a tuner, that we use in our car and take into the house. I have been sitting on the fence about buying another unit to use in the house and in New Zealand. Your very fair offer brings me down off the fence.

Please put my marker in the hat/lottery for either unit. What fun it would be to have a radio and another Rio Car.

Michael
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 02:10

OK. Any preference between 20 & 30 gig?
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 02:50

sipon ill take the 20 gig package or put me in the lotto im in the northbay.. ill drive to sf or where ur at.. thanks
Posted by: mail2mm

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 02:50

I have a slight preference for the 30 GB unit but either would be just fine.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 13:33

OK, if you win the lottery I may be able to deliver it. I owe my brother in Petaluma a visit.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 13:44

STATUS & QUERY

So far I have 5 folks who would prefer the 20 gig unit and 1 the 30 gig.

QUESTION for those who would prefer the 20: although a few of you have said this already I suspect that any of you would take the 30 as a second choice. Please confirm.

Thanks, Sipho
Posted by: loren

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 15:16

Correct. If i'm not chosen for the 20, i'll take the 30.
Posted by: thrasher

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 13/03/2002 16:26

yes I will gladley purchase the 30. Can't wait.
Posted by: oktane

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 14/03/2002 19:37


Please put me down for either!

Thanks!
Posted by: Sipho

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 15/03/2002 00:51

OK, you're in the pool. Where do you live?
Posted by: oktane

Re: SF Bay or Utah ONLY: new 20 & 30G w/ tuners @ cost - 16/03/2002 00:15

Palo Alto, CA.

Thanks!
Posted by: Sipho

Status and drawing rules - 18/03/2002 02:12

I have heard from 9 people who are interested in my two empeg/RioCar units. In alphabetical order they are:

0 Jeremy
1 justinlarsen
2 loren
3 mail2mm
4 matthew_k
5 oktane
6 rearviewmirror
7 Thiemo
8 thrasher

If I dropped your name somehow let me know ASAP. Here is how the random drawing will work: the web site finance.yahoo.com lists the DJIA and the NASDAQ on the left edge. After the markets close today (Monday the 18th) I'll take the DJIA final for the day, drop the fractional part and calculate the remainder after dividing by 9 (mod 9). The resulting number between 0-8 says who gets first choice or the two units. I'll use the same calculation using the NASDAQ for the second choice.

Most people have said that they want the 20 gig unit. But if the second winner is the same as the first or doesn't want the remaining unit (most likely the 30 gig unit) then I'll offer it to the next person on the list (wrapping around from the bottom to the top if I have to).

For example here is how the two indices closed on Friday and the EXAMPLE winners:

10607.23 -> 10607 mod 9 = 5 (oktane)
1868.30 -> 1868 mod 9 = 5 (oktane again so we move to rearviewmirror)

All this foolishness is to keep the choosing random and transparent because people get weird on the 'net. If you see any holes in my plan let me know. If you win try and contact me before noon (PST) on Wednesday or I will offer the unit to the next non-winner on the list. If possible I would like to have the units in the hands of the winners before Friday morning when I fly back to Utah (except for Jeremy who lives in Utah).

Craig Payne
[email protected]
650-480-2696 Work

Posted by: smu

Re: Status and drawing rules - 18/03/2002 04:16

Hi.

I would just suggest that you use the following algo for the second winner:
Remove the first winner from the list, in your example, this would result in the following list:
0 Jeremy

1 justinlarsen
2 loren
3 mail2mm
4 matthew_k
5 rearviewmirror (original 5 -oktane- was removed)
6 Thiemo
7 thrasher
And use a modulo 8 calculation. You algo would prefer the one following to the first winner, doubling his chances (because he would win on either 5 or 6 on your example), while mine would keep equal chances among the first round loosers.
Just wanted to add a little stochastic knowledge in here.

cu,
sven
Posted by: Sipho

Re: Status and drawing rules - 18/03/2002 08:45

Good point. I guess I will have to quit my job at the lottery

Do you read every post on the BBS?

Everybody: consider the rules modified as indicated
Posted by: smu

Re: Status and drawing rules - 18/03/2002 09:13

Nope, only every post in
  • For sale
  • Technical
  • Programming
  • Projects
Plus as much as I can of Wishlist and Bug Reports, ICE, General, Off Topic and Installation Notes (in that order). I used to read everything without exception a while back though.
But, I admit that Thiemo is a friend of mine, and it was me who pointed him at your sale, so I am interested in the outcome of this lottery (I hope he gets one of the units).

cu,
sven
Posted by: sancho

Re: Status and drawing rules - 18/03/2002 12:08

i'm not on your list... but, i also don't meet the sf/utah requirement...
--
sancho
Posted by: Sipho

>>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 15:27

According to finance.yahoo.com the DJIA closed at 10576.37 and NASDAQ at 1877.06. So for the first winner we get:

10576.37 -> 10576 mod 9 = 1 (Justin Larsen) (prefered the 20 gig unit)

0 Jeremy
1 justinlarsen
2 loren
3 mail2mm
4 matthew_k
5 oktane
6 rearviewmirror
7 Thiemo
8 thrasher

Second place goes to:

1877.06 -> 1877 mod 8 = 5 (rearviewmirror) (gets the remaining 30 gig unit)

0 Jeremy
1 loren
2 mail2mm
3 matthew_k
4 oktane
5 rearviewmirror
6 Thiemo
7 thrasher

If you two can call me at 650-480-2696 we can arrange to meet.

-- Craig
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:05

WOOHOOO!
Posted by: rearviewmirror

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:14

ditto!
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:15

Argh! I just went to Nasdaq.com and it says the DJIA closed at 10577.75 -> mod 9 = 2. I thought i'd won!!

I won't argue it... but is there an official close value somewhere?

[edit] etrade.com has the same, as does WSJ.com... =\
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:17

loren please argue.. if the values differnt.. im not going to take it from you
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:20

Okay... http://www.nyse.com (which i would hope would have the official numbers) has the close at 10577.70. Sooo... I'll argue it. =]
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:26

ya, looking around i noticed that yahoo is lower than elsewhere. craig? whats the offical verdict? its not going to crush me either way, i just wanna fair game. if loren is entitled to it, go for it.
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:29

ditto. It's your call Craig, i won't whine either way.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:31

Weird, the NY Times reports your number too. But that is why I cited a specific source. Anyway you and Justin can sort it out between you. I don't know who has more empegs, you are Justin.
Posted by: ninti

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:34

Did Justin mention he works for the Yahoo finance website.
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:34

Well, like i said above... i'm buying this one for my girlfriends brother in law... argh.
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:35

well loren i have a backup already.. im really only buying it for the tuner, extra remote, and ac power.. if u wnan work somwething out ill be more than happy to
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:36

If you think the rules were unclear or unfair and Justin agrees then I'm happy to switch. I'd feel different if Justin didn't already own one unit. At least it doesn't change second place (unless someone finds an alternative NASDAQ close )
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:36

if u pay the $300 ill pay the rest.. or if u had something else in mind
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:37

Lycos.com : 10577.75
Yahoo.com : 10576.37
Stocks.com: 10577.75
eTrade.com: 10577.75
cnnfn.com : 10577.75
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:43

AH... i didn't realize you'd posted yahoo as the site you'd get the info from. So in that case, it's all your's Justin. Craig did specifically state in his post on how the winner would be determined that he'd get his info from Yahoo, so i conceed.

Justin, unless you are willing to give up the tuner (which was THE big reason that Doug wanted this one). If so i'd pay $395 and you could have the remote and power brick.
Posted by: rearviewmirror

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:45

Looks like all of us wanted it for the tuners -:)

Btw, http://finance.yahoo.com also shows 10577.75?
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:46

nah loren.. i would like to invite someone to the community and give it to them.. im not going to be selfish.. its all you i have 2 empeg's already i dont need another..
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:47

LOL. WTF. When i go there it still shows 10576.37. This is madenning.
Posted by: rearviewmirror

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:48

I know.. I was so confused, I hit refresh 10 times before posting that message!
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:48

Yuck, I feel like a lawyer
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:51

I know, let's cut it in half

-- Solomon
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:51

hehe it offical loren gets it..
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:52

but if ur still going to petaluma craig i would love to see your empeg setup if u have it here..
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:53

Hahaha. Okay, i won't argue it anymore then. If someone confirms that even Yahoo has the right numbers now, and since Justin is a cool guy... I'll accept on Doug's behalf. You've made a close to brother-in-law very very happy.

Justin, i work in North San Rafael, i'll buy you lunch someday. =]
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:56

hehe thanks i work in corte madera
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 16:59

My office mate is getting 10577.75 from his my.yahoo.com but when he clicks through to details he gets 10576.37

How about http://www.lottery.ca.gov/?
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:02

LOL. weird.

So if you are coming up to Petaluma, maybe we should all just meet up for lunch and do the deal??
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:03

My car in California is a beat-up '91 Nissan Sentra. My Lexus RX300 lives in Utah but I'm still working on the remote display so there is nothing to see there either. But I'll post pictures when I have something to show.
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:05

those lexus's are fun to put empegs in, the www.clublexus.com forum is what helped me get mine in.. infact i havent posted any pictures of the install i should do that today
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:06

I usually go up in mid afternoon to miss some of the traffic. I'd be on 19th Ave and then 101 north of the bridge. I don't know if that works for you. I also haven't heard from my brother so I don't know when or if I'm going. How anxious is your brother-in-law?
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:09

It's even worse in the RX300. There is an integrated display for climate control, travel computer and audio. The CD changer is in the glove box. So my empeg will go under the passenger seat. I'll control it with the Sony stalk remote and watch on the remote display.
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:11

Well, i commute from SF to San Rafael up the 101 every day, so we could meet anywhere, or i could just take a late lunch... whatever. Actually, i'd like to get it before Thursday, as Kelly (My girlfriend) is flying home for the week back to Boston and could bring it to Doug. Think that's possible? I could always meet you somewhere after work too if you are gonna be South of SF.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:18

I haven't heard from my brother but one way or the other we can meet before Thursday. I work in Redwood City and sleep in San Carlos. I'll call my sister-in-law to nail down a schedule.
Posted by: phi144

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 17:56

Hi guys. Loren "won" the empeg for me. First off I wanted to thank Sipho for your lottery and the fact that you did it at cost. Can't say that to many people would have done that these days. It seems it's all about the buck. It's nice to know that there are still decent people in the world.

Second I wanted to thank Justin for the being cool about the closing numbers fiasco. That could have gone either way.

Finally, thanks to Loren. I owe you!

Doug
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 18:17

no prob.. i just like to see another person on the forum.. chatting it up.. enjoying the machine.. they are fun..
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 18:33

Oh, you want the little PC board inside the tuner box. I'll sell you that for $400

What kind of car are you installing this in?

Also are you closer to Redwood City than Loren? Not that it makes a big difference as I'll probably be driving to Petaluma tomorrow afternoon.
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 18:40

He's not... unless you consider Boston area closer...

oh, and Justin... howabout lunch at Skywalker Ranch for being cool about it all? Craig... you too. I dunno if you two would be into it. You never know... some people freak out at the chance and others could care less. =]
Posted by: phi144

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 18:46

It's going into a 1995 VW Golf III.

And yup, I'm in the Boston area.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 19:36

You've never invited me to lunch at the ranch.

Posted by: mail2mm

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 19:46

Craig,

I am sorry that I was not the winner but want to thank you. Your offering of the units at cost and the process of selection was more than fair. You deserve a good guy award or several "atta boy" messages!

Thanks,

Michael
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 19:46

I think I'll have to skip lunch. I want to arrive in Petaluma about 5 PM and I'll have my father along. So that would make for a pretty late lunch. How about I just meet you at your office (which is where?) And of course don't forget to break open your piggy bank.
Posted by: Sipho

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 19:48

No, I just couldn't figure out how to use eBay and join the other scalpers

-- Craig
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 20:02

loren im down.. ive eaten lunch there one or two times before.. i have a friend who works there as well.. good food
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 21:52

Actually, i could swear i have in passing. =] In fact i think i did while i was sitting on your couch! You're always welcome, just gimme a few days notice when your coming up and we'll do it!
Posted by: tfabris

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 22:18

Cool. I must have missed it when you said it. I will take you up on that offer next chance I get. Thanks!
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 22:20

I wonder if George will let us have the empeg meet at the Ranch... LOL
Posted by: tfabris

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 22:38

Wow, wouldn't THAT be a hoot? That would SO rock...
Posted by: loren

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 22:56

The question is who's gonna donate an empeg to him so he "gets it"?! hahah.
Posted by: matthew_k

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 18/03/2002 23:15

In reply to:

The question is who's gonna donate an empeg to him so he "gets it"?! hahah.



If he'll attend, I'd put up my backup, as long as the atendees split some of the cost with me. :-)

Matthew
Posted by: justinlarsen

Re: >>> Winners <<< - 19/03/2002 00:40

hehe im down.. ya mesage me ur number lorin... maybe next week sometime..
Posted by: Sipho

Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 19/03/2002 14:17

"rearviewmirror" just picked up the 30 gig unit and we discovered that the entire bag of accesories was missing from the (unsealed) box. Thankfully the sealed 20 gig unit is complete. Anyway I gave him my spare remote and sent him on his way. Now I guess I have to deal with SB's Customer "Service"
Posted by: loren

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 19/03/2002 18:50

Thanks again Craig. Nice meeting you and your Pop! Did you get to meet up with your friend here?
Posted by: Sipho

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 20/03/2002 00:48

Yes, Peggy and I chatted for about 30 minutes before my father and I had to move on to Petaluma.

Hope the unit installs and works for you girlfriend's brother.
Posted by: rearviewmirror

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 21/03/2002 00:46

Installed the tuner. Works great. Thanks again!
Posted by: Sipho

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 21/03/2002 01:37

Great! Still no reply from customer service at Sonic Blue on the missing parts.
Posted by: altman

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 22/03/2002 02:30

Try asking [email protected], sonicblue aren't likely to have spares - we're slightly more likely to have some in the UK...

Hugo
Posted by: Sipho

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 23/03/2002 22:04

Many thanks to you and David. He responded in less than an hour and said he would send the missing items along on Monday by FedEx. By my calculation it was Friday evening when he responded. Does he have a social life?
Posted by: Alexander

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 24/03/2002 07:37

Hey, if there's an ISO adapter in that package, can I have it? I bought rearviewmirror's unit, and he bought USB and serial cables for me, but I'm still missing that adapter. (The one with bare wires that plugs into the connector on the sled.) Thanks!
Posted by: Sipho

Re: Crap, Sonic Blue strikes again - 24/03/2002 12:09

Yes, all the missing accessories go with the unit you bought (except for the remote 'cause I gave "Mr. Mirror" my spare already). I should have them next week but won't be back in California for a week or two. If you need the ISO adapter before then I ship it to you.