Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[kacir]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

... some things are patented that should not be and are used to intimidate the competition like Microsoft is attempting to do to Linux.

Or Microsoft to TomTom
or Amazon wielding their big, stupid, ridiculous "one click shopping" patent.

Fortunately, not all trolls are successful
http://www.audioholics.com/news/indu...s-strikes-back

[Jeez2]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

I am not very pleased with FRY's "sale" over the three day holiday. They took our $30 rebate, raised their normal selling price to $269, and sold at $239. I had hopes that they would give up a bit of their profit also to get the price down to the best price ever.

$239 for the EZ Reader was a great price... but we did not see the cooperation we had thought we would see to really make this a banner sale.

:

Hi Robert... I am not pleased with the Fry's sale over the weekend either.. I order the ezreader at 12:30pm edt... or 9:30am your time and everything went kind of smooth.. It was sold at $249... and then you got the $30 mail in rebate. I'm not sure if it was because I am Canadian and had a USA address or what.. but after going through a few hoops with Frys customer service, they told me that it would be shipped on Monday morning. ( I had taken the 2 day shipping ) and it would be here on Wednesday... I went online today (Monday) and saw that it was partial backordered. I clicked on my order # and saw that it was backordered.. I just got off the phone with customer service and they told me that they didn't even have a date for inventory... So consequently I canceled my order. I only have a limited time that I am at my US address, so I can't play the guessing game... It's too bad, because I really liked the ezreader.... Frys really screwed up this time and it looks bad for Astak. Kind of like guilty by association... I hope this doesn't happen with the pocket pro... Well, I feel a little better after venting, but Frys will never get any business from me from now on... Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this fiasco Robert...
Kevin

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Jeez2

:

Hi Robert... I am not pleased with the Fry's sale over the weekend either.. I order the ezreader at 12:30pm edt... or 9:30am your time and everything went kind of smooth.. It was sold at $249... and then you got the $30 mail in rebate. I'm not sure if it was because I am Canadian and had a USA address or what.. but after going through a few hoops with Frys customer service, they told me that it would be shipped on Monday morning. ( I had taken the 2 day shipping ) and it would be here on Wednesday... I went online today (Monday) and saw that it was partial backordered. I clicked on my order # and saw that it was backordered.. I just got off the phone with customer service and they told me that they didn't even have a date for inventory... So consequently I canceled my order. I only have a limited time that I am at my US address, so I can't play the guessing game... It's too bad, because I really liked the ezreader.... Frys really screwed up this time and it looks bad for Astak. Kind of like guilty by association... I hope this doesn't happen with the pocket pro... Well, I feel a little better after venting, but Frys will never get any business from me from now on... Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this fiasco Robert...
Kevin

I don't want to jump in and take over for Robert, but the only sellers of the Pocket Pro will be Astak. You'll be able to order it from their site, not through another party or storefront.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Jeez2

:

Hi Robert... I am not pleased with the Fry's sale over the weekend either.. I order the ezreader at 12:30pm edt... or 9:30am your time and everything went kind of smooth.. It was sold at $249... and then you got the $30 mail in rebate. I'm not sure if it was because I am Canadian and had a USA address or what.. but after going through a few hoops with Frys customer service, they told me that it would be shipped on Monday morning. ( I had taken the 2 day shipping ) and it would be here on Wednesday... I went online today (Monday) and saw that it was partial backordered. I clicked on my order # and saw that it was backordered.. I just got off the phone with customer service and they told me that they didn't even have a date for inventory... So consequently I canceled my order. I only have a limited time that I am at my US address, so I can't play the guessing game... It's too bad, because I really liked the ezreader.... Frys really screwed up this time and it looks bad for Astak. Kind of like guilty by association... I hope this doesn't happen with the pocket pro... Well, I feel a little better after venting, but Frys will never get any business from me from now on... Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this fiasco Robert...
Kevin

Dear Jeez2:

You called it right: a FIASCO!! I have received nothing from FRY's yet on what in hell happened; but I am enraged right now.

This was 6 weeks in the making. Everything was set and FRY's even knew I was publicizing the event on MobileRead Forum.

Yes... there is guilt by assocation and the egg comes down all over my face and I have to accept it.

THIS is exactly WHY we are taking no chances with the Pocket PRO and are NOT selling it to FRY's. It will sell thru our own website and it will ship on time!!

I am really sorry for the inconvenience to everyone!! Let me get some facts as I need to remain calm about it until I really know what happened. What a complete mess!!

[mklynds]

At least your owning the problem Robertb. If anything the fact that you can say:

Originally Posted by Robertb

This was 6 weeks in the making. Everything was set and FRY's even knew I was publicizing the event on MobileRead Forum.

Yes... there is guilt by assocation and the egg comes down all over my face and I have to accept it.

THIS is exactly WHY we are taking no chances with the Pocket PRO and are NOT selling it to FRY's. It will sell thru our own website and it will ship on time!!

I am really sorry for the inconvenience to everyone!! Let me get some facts as I need to remain calm about it until I really know what happened. What a complete mess!!

Makes me thing that Astak is actually listening to the consumer and taking steps to insure that past problems don't repeat themselves with their future products.

Thanks for owning this Robertb. I can think of many other companies that would just point the finger at Frys (or which ever reseller) and say it is all on them.

Deposit .02
Mike

[robvarga]

Hi Robert,

what is the current ETA for Pocket Pro?

My eyeballs are itching :-)

Best regards,

Robert

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by robvarga

Hi Robert,

what is the current ETA for Pocket Pro?

My eyeballs are itching :-)

Best regards,

Robert

It better be on time for my birthday. The last ETA that I heard was around Aug 15, which gives about 6 days time frame for shipping.

But this is simply early approximation. Dates may have changed since Robert last heard. But I wouldnt think it would be too far off, unless something drastic happens.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by mklynds

At least your owning the problem Robertb. If anything the fact that you can say:





Makes me thing that Astak is actually listening to the consumer and taking steps to insure that past problems don't repeat themselves with their future products.

Thanks for owning this Robertb. I can think of many other companies that would just point the finger at Frys (or which ever reseller) and say it is all on them.

Deposit .02
Mike

Dear mklynds:

Fundamentally, when something goes wrong (like FRY's screwing up the ads) the buck stops with me. I realize that and I can only hope to improve things.

Sure, I will go to FRY's screaming a bit... but the damage is all mine to bear. I cannot control a lot of things... but I have to control my vendors.

This will, however, change things as far as my outlook towards FRY's. I am beginning to feel that pulling our product from FRY's may lead to more and better vendors down the road.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

It better be on time for my birthday. The last ETA that I heard was around Aug 15, which gives about 6 days time frame for shipping.

But this is simply early approximation. Dates may have changed since Robert last heard. But I wouldnt think it would be too far off, unless something drastic happens.

Dear Griffonwing and Robert:

This time I tried to allow for the unforeseen a bit. Right now, things are actually a little ahead of the August 15 timeline. Of course, this week the General Manager is in China talking with the factory and that will really be what I go by.

ALL I can tell you is that I am definitely MORE anxious to get them in then you are to buy one. I hate guessing games and am trying to get this wrapped up. Let us hope th General Manager meets with total cooperation.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I am beginning to feel that pulling our product from FRY's may lead to more and better vendors down the road.

At least Fry's is open to selling ebook readers, even ones without formal DRM support. They are a regional retailer, but I know some people routinely use their stores as their first port of call for technical products.

Once you have Adobe PDF/ePub, I hope other stores will be willing to sell the device. Actually, any store selling Sony's would then be a good candidate if they normally carry multiple brands. One that you may not have considered is B&H Photo.

By the way, a big selling point of Adobe PDF/ePub support is that many lending libraries have a large selection of Adobe PDF ebooks (and a growing selection of Adobe ePubs).

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

By the way, a big selling point of Adobe PDF/ePub support is that many lending libraries have a large selection of Adobe PDF ebooks (and a growing selection of Adobe ePubs).

If libraries lend ebooks, then the device must have a clock/calendar feature Does the Pocket Pro?

Also, something I have found I really enjoy on my computer and other LCD reading devices, is auto page turning. I know you won't have scrolling, but is there a feature to change the page after a set number of seconds? Then I could be really lazy and prop the reader up and just read without using my hand.

Anxiously awaiting.... Wish I could get it for my birthday at the end of this month.......

AJ

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

At least Fry's is open to selling ebook readers, even ones without formal DRM support. They are a regional retailer, but I know some people routinely use their stores as their first port of call for technical products.

Once you have Adobe PDF/ePub, I hope other stores will be willing to sell the device. Actually, any store selling Sony's would then be a good candidate if they normally carry multiple brands. One that you may not have considered is B&H Photo.

By the way, a big selling point of Adobe PDF/ePub support is that many lending libraries have a large selection of Adobe PDF ebooks (and a growing selection of Adobe ePubs).

The problem is that FRY's sells SO low that few other stores want to carry that model as there is no margin. WE cannot go any lower or we lose money and most stores want to make at least $45 margin to even think about it. So, FRY's is a double-edged sword... once they take your model they control it entirely and nobody else wants to compete. Plus, FRY's insists that their vendors "support" them by giving rebates and other niceties every few weeks. They CAN build up volume for a company... but they can also drive it right into the ground. FRY's does not allow "run-rates" to go to vendors so a vendor has no idea where they are with FRY's. While I thank them for the volume... it has ended up being somewhat catostrophic, at least to date.

[griffonwing]

What would be a reason for Fry's to hide the run-rates? You'd think they's want to say "Hey! We are selling out! We need more shipped in! See? Here are the Unit sales figures. We sold x units this week, y units the week before, we only have z units left in stock and these will not last us the rest of the month."

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by AJ Starr

If libraries lend ebooks, then the device must have a clock/calendar feature Does the Pocket Pro?

Also, something I have found I really enjoy on my computer and other LCD reading devices, is auto page turning. I know you won't have scrolling, but is there a feature to change the page after a set number of seconds? Then I could be really lazy and prop the reader up and just read without using my hand.

Anxiously awaiting.... Wish I could get it for my birthday at the end of this month.......

AJ

Dear AJ:

IF I had 3,000 Pocket PRO right now I could sell them in short order. The waiting is NOT good. When I posted the Pocket PRO as news a month ago, I got about 50 immediate "I want one". Those people meanwhile are looking at other options as they come out and I try to keep them interested but it is hard.

The Pocket PRO has three ways to advance a page anyway. There are buttons on the left, the "9" and "0" button on the right side, and a scroll wheel. Your idea is a good one to have auto page turning but there would have to be a clock to do that.

Yes, it would be great if Jinke can put a clock/calender feature on it. The problem is that libraries lending eBooks seems to be a North American phenomena. Almost all software and books seem to be free there as copyright is largely overlooked. So, the lending of eBooks in libraries does not work there as it does here. People just get what they want and do not seem to need to borrow from libraries. At least this is what my Chinese co-workers tell me. Being a "global economy" has its drawbacks too.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

What would be a reason for Fry's to hide the run-rates? You'd think they's want to say "Hey! We are selling out! We need more shipped in! See? Here are the Unit sales figures. We sold x units this week, y units the week before, we only have z units left in stock and these will not last us the rest of the month."

Dear Griffonwing:

Yes, it was inconceivable to me also when FRY's changed the run rate rules about three months ago. They no longer let that info out. So, vendors are always in the dark. WHY is anybody's guess. Maybe it gives them control. You go to them and say "raise the price you sell at" and they say "your numbers are not very good anyway... if we raise the price then it will not be worth keeping you". Several times we asked them to raise the price a bit and every time they killed us on the idea. Our intent was to sell at around $269 so we could put the EZ Reader into other stores too. FRY's, meanwhile, was selling at $239-$259 every week for the Bundle Pack. SO, now we have absolutely no idea where we stand. We cannot even give a discount and know if it truly helped. And... reaching the Buyer is next to impossible. You can leave phone calls for weeks and not get a call back. So... the vendor loses all control.