Quote:
Originally Posted by kacir
Perhaps THE most succesfull Czech (Czechoslovakian) entrepreneur of all times was Tomáš Baťa (Tomas Bata in English transcription) wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Ba%C5%A5a his company had to move out of Czechoslovakia when the "good old socialistic times" arrived. Even today he is an established brand in shoe manufacturing industry http://www.bata.com/
Tomas Bata established many, many things that were revolutionary and visionary, even a little bit "Utopistic" at his times.
He took very good care of his workforce, built homes for his workers (that are used until nowadays), had schools of legendary quality for children of his workers ...
But the thing he is the MOST famous for is the BATA PRICE.
Quote from wikipedia page about Tomas Bata
I believe he was one of the first people to have this ancient marketing trick established as an official, documented company policy.
There is very little difference, from a financial standpoint, between $105 and $99, but from psychological point of view, there is VAST difference.
So perhaps a 5" Astak Barebone "Rock bottom price" Reader, with a grade 2 display, without mp3 capability, without folders, without SD card and other bells and whistles could persuade yet another group of impulsive buyers. Many people might buy such device as a backup unit, or a device you take for holiday.
And if you find a way to sell the 5" Astak Barebone "Rock bottom price" Reader for $199 IN EUROPE, that would be something. We see again and *again* and *AGAIN* that 1Eur = $1. And when you complain, most companies answer: "Everybody is screwing European customers, so why shouldn't we?" Even companies from European Union that sell reader for 350Eur in Europe and that want to start selling in USA make the price $350. |
Dear Kacir:
This is a gem of a well-written and thought out post!! You should be a writer!! Really! Well written!!
I agree fully with you except on one thing: Astak will NOT sell anything but the best panel!! Grade "B" saves money... but nobody enjoys the reading experience. We may well do a bare bone 5 inch... but that screen will be as good as they come. I concur with Bata Pricing. My Chinese brothers love to price at whole numbers and I shave it every time.
I think there are ways to get a 5 inch that is quality and still get low. I just will not put the Astak name on anything that is not a quality product. I WANT people to buy an Astak and still know that they are getting a great device... albeit cheaply. The aim of your email I wholeheartedly agree with... drive the price down. To me, you can buy a Kindle and know it works. I want you to buy an Astak and know it works even better. I won't sell, cannot sell, something that I do not believe in.
SO, with that said, yes... we are now hunting for a 5 inch that works well and comes in at less than $195. Cannot guarantee it yet... but it is a priority and we are looking.