BadFlash,
Looks like you've been a busy boy with your new toy, eh? So far this is nothing but good news on the technical side, we'll eagerly await further updates.
All Co-Op Members,
I've been keeping busy also, here's the latest on purchase possibilities:
TradeOut seller has still not responded to bid or technical inquiries, we are still the sole bidder at this time. This would leave them holding over 800 units even if they met our $200 bid, you'd think that they'd be very interested in communicating with us. TradeOut has also not yet responded to the request for info on seller or completion of original 100 unit purchase. I will probably attempt to reach them by phone Monday and get some sort of resolution to these questions.
Gateway has said that they will include the Ethernet option in the $285 price. We are now working on including free shipping direct to individuals (rather than bulk to me and then reship to y'all). We are also working the possibility of individuals being able to pay Gateway directly for units, rather than going through the time and hassle of a co-op payment arrangement. Finally, I'm trying to get them to establish an 'institutional account' arrangement to allow future single unit purchases at the bulk purchase price.
So we still have some work to do on both potential purchase fronts, but the Gateway deal really looks good if we can get the free shipping, direct member payments and future discount purchases. The Ethernet option and free shipping would make up the price difference, and the possibility of future buys in single unit would be sweet.
Before anyone squawks too much about the cost, remember that this is a sure thing through Gateway and will get us units in our hands the fastest. And $285 is still over $200 less than their current retail pricing of $499.
In order to move quickly and start to get a final count, anyone who originally said they wanted one at $250 or $225 and wants to opt out of a possible deal with Gateway, let me know ASAP. I want to be able to give them a good number of actual purchases, I've told them that at $285, we'll probably drop down to about 50-65 units. Hopefully this won't impact their current $285 offer, I assured them that future sales will be forthcoming once we get our hands on these first units.
Everyone relax (except for Jack, of course) and have a great weekend....
B'Dog
