[OPLINTECH] laptops

Wed May 6 10:05:32 EDT 2015

Sad, but probably true. Different margins for different customers has
always been around, I'm sure. It's just a lot easier to discriminate with
technology.

I even see it as a re-seller. I buy most of my stuff directly from national
distributors. The distributors get it directly from the manufacturers. I
work most with two big distributors. For several years I purchased mostly
through one and used the other as a back-up if the first didn't have what I
needed in stock. Pricing was usually better at my primary distributor also.

Eventually, my "dedicated sales rep" from my secondary distributor started
calling, asking about my business, etc...(I'm sure trying to increase my
business to them.) I just simply mentioned how I do my purchases, told him
who my primary was and that he was my secondary/backup.

Wasn't too long after that I started noticing that my pricing was very
notably lower on just about every item. It still is, several years later.
Hmmm....

(Yeah, of course I switched them around! LOL!)

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
schools*

On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 9:32 AM, Rachelle Miller <rmiller at tmcpl.org> wrote:

> In case you didn’t know this….
>
> Just beware of price discrimination—identical or like goods are given
> different prices based on markets or territories. You will get different
> prices based on your IP address, your business etc. It even helps to clear
> your cache so you are potentially seen as a “new” customer and given a
> lower price. The commercial and consumer models may actually be the same
> thing. Here are a few articles about it.
>
>
>
> From CNN <http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/24/ramasastry.website.prices/>:
>
> “Another report indicated that Dell Computer has offered the same model
> laptop at different prices to different customers: small businesses, health
> care companies, and state and local businesses were offered different
> deals.”
>
>
>
> Price Discrimination
> <http://www.mcafee.cc/Papers/PDF/ABAPriceDiscrimination.pdf> (from 2008)
>
> The Web site of computer manufacturer Dell asks prospective buyers to
> declare whether they are a home user, small business, large business or
> government entity. Two years ago, the price of a 512 MB memory module, part
> number A0193405, depended on which business segment one declared. At that
> time, Dell quoted $289.99 for a large business, $266.21 for a government
> agency, $275.49 for a home, and $246.49 for a
>
> small business.
>
>
>
> Rachelle Miller, Director
>
>
>
> Troy-Miami County Public Library
>
> 419 W. Main St.
>
> Troy, OH 45373
>
> 937 339-0502 x 116
>
> rmiller at tmcpl.org | troypubliclibrary.org
>
> *Troy-Miami County Public Library seeks to maintain and improve the
> quality of life for all residents by providing resources that enhance and
> contribute to individual knowledge and enjoyment. The library provides
> access to information and collections that reflect all points of view.*
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf Of *Tim Burns
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 06, 2015 9:11 AM
> *To:* oplintech at lists.oplin.org
> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] laptops
>
>
>
>
>
> We're getting ready to order some admin staff laptops and was wondering
> everyone's opinion on comsumer vs. commercial grade laptops.
>
> …<snip>...
>
> Is the business commercial grade laptops worth the extra money to get them
> for a small library system? Comments and thoughts much appreciated.
>
>
>
> Fred Miller Jr
>
>
>
> ——
>
>
>
> Anymore I try to determine what users are doing. When it made sense to
> provide my kids laptops for school (somewhere during early HS  years) I
> bought them (on eBay) Apple MacBooks.  The software/hardware integration
> with project-oriented learning made this an easy choice. No real concern
> about “gaming” or sharing software— these were meant to be tools. The
> MacBooks would not die, and lasted 6-8 years through HS and college.
> Unfortunately for them, now they are old enough and resourceful enough to
> replace the machines on their own dime.
>
>
>
> That being said, I don’t know that I would do this the same way today.
> Given that they were locked in to technology that was eventually 10+ years
> old, and still working flawlessly, they miss out on whatever developments
> occur. Instead of say, $600 spent once, I might consider <$200 outlay for a
> Chromebook … which I consider disposable, and plan to replace it every
> 2.5-3 years. The ChromeOS is reasonable mature, the experience is meant to
> be cloud-based, and it integrates with other technology well. (ie. Android
> Phone).
>
>
>
> It looks like tech companies (Google, MS, Apple) are trading software for
> data now, so the cost of software upgrades has gone away… well, I suppose
> that’s true if your data is worthless :)  So as long as your hardware will
> support it— you can have the latest greatest for a while.
>
>
>
> ——
>
>
>
>
>
> Tim Burns, Technologist
>
> Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County Ohio
>
> Department of Nuts and Bots
>
> tim.burns at birchard.lib.oh.us
>
> telephone: (419) 334-7101 extension: 239
>
>
>
>
>
>
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