Update to all:
Still no response from the seller on TradeOut regarding our bid or ethernet option availability. I'm not feeling comfy about this, and have sent an email to TradeOut Customer Service asking for further info on the seller. Also requested info as to whether or not the previous buyer of 100 units has successfully closed their transaction.
Got a response back from Gateway Direct to my morning missive, along with my response below:
====================================================
Art,
Thanks for your quick response. But I've got to tell you, $285 a unit as compared to $225 (or less) from our online source is a pretty big bridge to cross. We would prefer to deal with Gateway Direct on this if possible, so let's see if we can find some common ground.
Most of our co-op members are interested in the Ethernet option, perhaps that could be bundled in the $285 price. If Gateway is getting out of this market (are they?), this would be just another write-down against the loss. If we could add drop shipping to the individuals involved in the co-op we might be able to strike a deal. Check with the 'powers that be' and get back to me.
On a side note, how have 1000 of these showed up on a B-to-B website? Enquiring minds want to know if it's Gateway moving them, or perhaps Quanta, the company who manufactured them for Gateway? Let's move this up the food chain at Gateway and see if we can help you sell some of these. TIA again for your assistance.
Sincerely,
xxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: Gateway Direct
To: xxxxx
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 9:48 AM
Subject: Re:
Sorry for the delay, but I needed to check on this. Unfortunately, the
lowest that we can go is $285 per unit. We cannot go any lower to meet
the $200 price point. Please let me know if this is okay or if you have
other questions so that I can assist you.
Art
Gateway Direct
Original Message Follows:>
------------------------->
Art,
Any updates on this yet? We are now up to 90 units, if we can secure
them at a $200 price point. Let me know when we may expect an answer,
thanks again for your assistance.
=========================================================
So as y'all can see, we're not much closer than we started. I received an email off-board last night from a member that may be expressing what others may be thinking, so I'm going to copy it here with my response. Once again, I'm just trying to make this happen for all of us, I have no interest in being a big-shot in this deal. If anyone else wants to strike out on their own, go for it. Off-board message and my reply below:
=======================================================
Hey Bdog,
What's up, this is XXXXX from linux-hacker.net board. I was thinking that we ought to see if we can get at least 10 people and do a "small scale" buy for $225 each. I mean $25 probably will not be a big deal for most and plus it will give us a few more units to play with and see what we can do with it. I mean this is just my opinion and I am sure that the buyer is keeping mum until closer to the end. I am also worried that something person or company is going to come and buy the 900 for $225. I mean these could sell for 300 on Ebay, at least I think. Maybe I am just anxious, but let me know what you think!
XXXXX,
I've been thinking something similar, but have held back because:
- I still don't have a 'warm & fuzzy' about the seller, based on the lack of
response to emails so far. Even if they want to blow off our bid, they could
at least send a simple 'Thanks for your interest, but....". They've still
supposedly got 900 units, you'd think they'd be interested in talking to
potential buyers. It's possible that they are a broker for Gateway, or
Quanta (the manufacturer) and can't answer questions. It's also possible
that they're offering these without actually having them yet, like Earth
Computers and the "$99/$125 iOpeners" thread that turned out to be a bust. I
don't want to stick my weenie out and get it whacked along with some people
who had confidence in me.
- We may have a possibility of dealing direct with Gateway, which would be
preferred if the price is competitive. A company that big 'probably' won't
whack your weenie once they commit to something like this.
- We still don't have confirmation from a trusted source as to the
hackability of this thing, just a newbie who says they have a beta unit that
they hacked. Nothing personal Bigdork1, just call me an optimistic pessimist.
I'm a lot more comfortable with the 'BadFlash Seal of Approval', as I'm sure
most others are. It's easy to get caught up in the frenzy and posts, but I
don't need a $225 hi-tech doorstop.
- I don't think anyone's going to swoop in and grab all 900 at $225. The
surplus buyer's market is down and dirty, if they were $125 someone might
make a power play and try to resell them as a 900 unit lot for a small
markup and quick profit. Selling these puppies on eBay would take you a
loooong time.
So that's where I'm at right now, hopefully the next day or two will
enlighten us. Trust me, I'm itching for one bad myself....
B'Dog
====================================================
As stated above, that's where I'm/we're at right now. Open forum, folks....
"Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel...."
Jim Morrison - Roadhouse Blues
B'Dog
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