Find The Astak Pumpkin... WIN a free Pocket PRO!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Wow, it only took a week to address this?
....

but you gotta understand he's busy Painting EZReaders.



Just a joke Robert, just a joke. I know, I know another bucket of paint on my head....make it black this time, okay?

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Wow, it only took a week to address this?

You gotta understand that being led to Facebook with no explanation might have lost you at least one potential customer (and, of course, I can only speak for myself).

I really like the look and layout of the EZReader. I have nothing against Amazon (I buy the majority of my DVDs there), but all that Kindle button clutter just doesn't appeal.

However, until I decided to glean info from this thread today, I was harboring strong displeasure for Astak's sneaky "Facebook contest".

And with the Nook's arrival, I now have another option - with a dictionary, even. Of course, while the Nook has no "button clutter", it does have that touch screen in the same area (is it going to light up every time I accidentally touch it like the notebook touchpads always used to do?)

So, yes, I'd say someone needs to keep an eye on your marketeers' clever ideas, and providing a quicker response when an error has been made would do wonders as well.

Although I didn't look at this thread until today, it still would have been nice if I had seen that the next day you had talked to your folk and relieved the confusion. Of course, we won't know for sure until we find out that at least one of the winners didn't sign up on Facebook.

Some folk here give it the "hey, its nothing to bust your spleen over" treatment, but it's not much different than the old (illegal here in Washington) bait and switch sales technique that we all know and love.

Sorry to be a poopy-head, but at least I am now back to considering Astak and wanted you to know I won't be sending my free EZTouch back when it arrives.

First off, welcome to the MobileRead forums, eGeezer!

What you need to understand about RobertB is that he is here on his own time, and gives 'his' opinions, as well as some very informative insight behind dist companies and also allows us to take an active role in his company. You will not see a Sony or Amazon rep here on these forums. Well, you might, but they will not hardly let themselves known who they are.

Robert had nothing to do with the 'sneaky facebook' contest, as that is not his department. He has his duties at Astak and gets on here when he has a spare moment or has info he wishes to pass onto us. He found about about a contest for a free reader, came on here and gave us the info he had. You can't deem to blame him for not pointing out a specific that he was not informed of himself. It may even be that his info was received through a string of channels. A tells B, who tells C who tells D. The chain of information can be hard to track down.

Many people do not like Facebook or any of the other social blog sites. I can fully understand that. However, sites like these are GREAT for spreading the word of a new device, and a contest on these sites could garner some much-needed attention for a device like this.

The device itself is great. I have had to return mine twice now, but only due to the faulty rubber coating that was caused due to the manufacturer rushing the first batch of units. Both of mine were from the first batch, this new replacement will be from the second batch, which has been treated properly.

I'm glad you're considering this unit. My unit is currently enroute to Astak and I should hopefully recieve my new one next week. Until then, I'll catch up on book conversion.

Again, welcome to MR!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by kennyc

but you gotta understand he's busy Painting EZReaders.



Just a joke Robert, just a joke. I know, I know another bucket of paint on my head....make it black this time, okay?

Make it 2, robert! 2 Coats are always best!

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Make it 2, robert! 2 Coats are always best!

and don't forget the "clear coat" to seal it all up....I do hope that Astak has gotten a handle on their still hard to understand, painted finish problem...

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

and don't forget the "clear coat" to seal it all up....I do hope that Astak has gotten a handle on their still hard to understand, painted finish problem...

It wasn't Astak, but the manufacturers in China.

If you think about it, the v5 and v3 models have been fine for years, but then again, they've only been black or white. When Astak introduced the colours, the manufactures had to change the paint. It may have been the paint, the dyes in the rubber coating, maybe a missed step in the process somewhere. But when rushed, little things will slip through.

Since the second batch wasn't in a rush, they could go through each process in the step at their leisure and see what was at fault. I'm actually very curious to see what exactly the problem was, and whether it was in the plastic, the paint, the dye or the rubber, or something else.

[John F]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

...

What you need to understand about RobertB is that he is here on his own time, and gives 'his' opinions, as well as some very informative insight behind dist companies and also allows us to take an active role in his company. You will not see a Sony or Amazon rep here on these forums. Well, you might, but they will not hardly let themselves known who they are.

Robert had nothing to do with the 'sneaky facebook' contest, as that is not his department. He has his duties at Astak and gets on here when he has a spare moment or has info he wishes to pass onto us. He found about about a contest for a free reader, came on here and gave us the info he had. You can't deem to blame him for not pointing out a specific that he was not informed of himself. It may even be that his info was received through a string of channels. A tells B, who tells C who tells D. The chain of information can be hard to track down.

...

Robert's first post, IMO, sounds like more then just passing along information. It sounds like a sales/marketing pitch. YMMV.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by John F

Robert's first post, IMO, sounds like more then just passing along information. It sounds like a sales/marketing pitch. YMMV.

That's Robert.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

First off, welcome to the MobileRead forums, eGeezer!

What you need to understand about RobertB is that he is here on his own time, and gives 'his' opinions, as well as some very informative insight behind dist companies and also allows us to take an active role in his company. You will not see a Sony or Amazon rep here on these forums. Well, you might, but they will not hardly let themselves known who they are.

Robert had nothing to do with the 'sneaky facebook' contest, as that is not his department. ....

Kissup!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by John F

Robert's first post, IMO, sounds like more then just passing along information. It sounds like a sales/marketing pitch. YMMV.

Of course it was marketing. That IS his job. That IS why he's here.

[John F]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Of course it was marketing. That IS his job. That IS why he's here.

Sorry, I guess I got confused by Griffon's characterization.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by John F

Sorry, I guess I got confused by Griffon's characterization.

That's okay, he does that to lots of people.

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Of course it was marketing. That IS his job. That IS why he's here.

This seems a bit contrary to Griff's note that the "Facebook contest" is NOT Robert's job. However, I do realize it wasn't his brainchild, and he had no control over the fiasco. And I have been reading the forums enuff to note that Robert keeps the information flowing. AND, my assumption was that he wasn't being paid to do so. However, if he weren't posting on the forums, Astak would also be selling far fewer units.

I found the pumpkin before reading this thread, and without this thread I would still be viewing Astak somewhat askance. Astak's concern should be how many DIDN'T find this thread and WON'T be back, and take careful steps in the future.

Personally, I felt I was doing Astak a public service by reminding them (via Robert) that the public is a fickle lot easily offended for the silliest reasons.


Best Buy often has magazine promotions at checkout, but they make it clear that the purchase and the free magazine subscriptions are not inclusive. No such distinction was made with the "Facebook contest" and therefore came across as heavy-handed marketing at best.

[griffonwing]

I agree that the contest requirements (i.e. Facebook) could have been mentioned on the contest page.

I suppose I am not sure by what you refer to as 'heavy-handed marketing" when speaking about the facebook contest. Astak is a relatively tiny company whose only (currently major) claim to fame is that they are the sole distributors of the Hanlin readers in the US. Requiring a Facebook acct in order to participate on the contest would hardly be a whisper in the wind for increasing the Facebook login count.

Fb has everything already set up, with minimal fuss, for a contest. Astak spent a few minutes, created this as a special way of spreading the word on the PEZ and Astak using the most popular social network today. I don't think there was any deviousness or 'heavy-handed' marketing.

As they say "The best-laid plans of mice and men..."


edited-- Also, apologies on characterizing robert. I reread my post and didnt see how or where I did, but I did see some remarks that might be construed as such. It was not my intent.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by kennyc

but you gotta understand he's busy Painting EZReaders.



Just a joke Robert, just a joke. I know, I know another bucket of paint on my head....make it black this time, okay?

Kenny: Just got a new can of Maroon Lagoon paint and it has your name on it. Just in time for Christmas!!

Actually, though, Astak is going to have a special Christmas Pack coming out!! We are assembling items for it now. It will have about 230 Christmas and Thanksgiving eBooks free and we are investigating adding an eBook Reader Light and a special Red Leather case and a lot more. Too early for details but it should be really fun!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

This seems a bit contrary to Griff's note that the "Facebook contest" is NOT Robert's job. However, I do realize it wasn't his brainchild, and he had no control over the fiasco. And I have been reading the forums enuff to note that Robert keeps the information flowing. AND, my assumption was that he wasn't being paid to do so. However, if he weren't posting on the forums, Astak would also be selling far fewer units.

I found the pumpkin before reading this thread, and without this thread I would still be viewing Astak somewhat askance. Astak's concern should be how many DIDN'T find this thread and WON'T be back, and take careful steps in the future.

Personally, I felt I was doing Astak a public service by reminding them (via Robert) that the public is a fickle lot easily offended for the silliest reasons.


Best Buy often has magazine promotions at checkout, but they make it clear that the purchase and the free magazine subscriptions are not inclusive. No such distinction was made with the "Facebook contest" and therefore came across as heavy-handed marketing at best.

Dear eGeezer:

Yes, it is my concern that some did not find this thread and will not be back. This Pumpkin Contest was drawn up by Marketing. I am Business Development. Even I do not know where the lines are drawn on what is Marketing and what is Business Development. Anyway, they took the initiative to do this contest and I was not told or consulted until it was already out.

Yes, I wish they would not do this... but I am grateful for their initiative. I apologize that what was meant by our three Marketing Girls as a nice and clean and easy contest got wrapped in a bit of sticky tape. They did not have anything but the best of intentions.

Yes, it drives me a bit crazy at times. But... at least I do get to try to keep the info flowing .

Welcome, eGeezer!!