Throw in a copy of OS on a disk, offer a competent warranty program, and I'd consider... provided I was in a market for this particular OS on my machine
Computer Science Canada Would you pay for...? |
| Author: | wtd [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Would you pay for...? |
Let's say I start a company designing and selling Windows notebooks. I offer 13.3", 15.4" and 17.1" notebooks with mainstream specs. Nothing to sneeze at, but nothing especially fancy either. Where I differentiate my products is that my online store is straightforward. I offer each product in only one place. There is no home/business schism. Pricing is set, with no fluctuations, aside from downward adjustments at the end of each product's 6 month lifecycle. Windows installations are clean: no trialware is offered. And... I also charge $100-300 more than my competitors' similarly specced machines. |
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| Author: | Dan [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
To me it would seem crazy to pay up to $300 more becues your site layout is cleaner and for the lucktory of you not installing trialware on my computer. The notebook and computer business is rather comptive so i think you need a better business staragtey then that and would need to set your self apart more to justify spending the extra $300. |
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| Author: | Tony [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
Throw in a copy of OS on a disk, offer a competent warranty program, and I'd consider... provided I was in a market for this particular OS on my machine |
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| Author: | Dan [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Would you pay for...? |
Tony @ 30th April 2009, 12:16 am wrote: Throw in a copy of OS on a disk, offer a competent warranty program, and I'd consider... provided I was in a market for this particular OS on my machine
If it was a warranty program that went byeond what most other companys are giving (in terms of length and/or support level) and it was inlcuded in that extra $300 i would consider it too. Also if i was able to pick a linux distro, and you selected hardware that was gaurinited to be comtable and got everything fully set up and working i would deftaly be willing to pay the extra. For example if i could say i wanted a Gentoo notebook with a given set of specs and i would get a laptop totaly comptable with it, that would be well worth paying extra. |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
If you didn't mention Windows then I'd swear you were talking about the Apple store. |
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| Author: | Zren [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
What about an option to have pre-loaded software. I know clean installs are nice, but there are some programs that are kinda necessity in this day and age. So how about a list of checkboxes with like: Adobe Acrobat Java Flash Player Windows Live Suite (Messenger, Mail) Mozilla Firefox Opera Chrome Mozilla Thunderbird ...etc. Also If you start selling Win7 notebooks: [Checked automatically] Internet Explorer 8 You might also check to make sure the user is getting at least one browser. |
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| Author: | md [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
Since you are only selling three models; and all are the same, you can very easily cut costs with customization. Depending on your administration and shipping overhead I think you could aim for $0-$100 more; which is a much more reasonable range. That being said... it would to me entirely depend on the hardware and who I would be getting my windows tax back from. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
The $100 to $300 range is there because of differing costs for each model. It might be a $100 premium for an entry-level 13.3" notebook priced at $999. It would be a $300 premium for a $2000 17.1" notebook. As someone running a business I have to do this. The premium 17" notebook is a riskier offering. I am less likely to sell it. Thus I have to charge a higher premium for it to guard against the possibility that I don't sell my inventory fast enough, and then have to blow it out for substantially reduced prices when the new product is slated to arrive. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Would you pay for...? |
Tony @ Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:16 pm wrote: Throw in a copy of OS on a disk, offer a competent warranty program, and I'd consider... provided I was in a market for this particular OS on my machine
Well, there was an implicit assumption in the original post: they are in all other ways equal, and you're going to buy from my company, or the competition. |
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| Author: | jernst [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
If I'm buying a mainstream laptop I'd just walk into future shop and get the cheapest thing I can find as quick as possible. The extra 100-300 I save will be worth having to deal with 10 minutes of them trying to sell me warranties and all the rest. The only time I would buy a laptop off the net is if I bought another high end laptop, and thats not going to happen again soon since my last one died from a soup attack. |
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| Author: | Amailer [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
For newbies offer an online support where you interactively build their system for them (since most people do not know how to pick what processor/ram and etc they need). You are chatting with them, find out what they need, they see their computer config being setup live - thats unique and I think people will like it  But completely different from what you were saying.
It should set you a "bit" apart since no one else (that I know off?) currently has this, and it makes it really easy for people to build their own computer (sort of), online. |
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| Author: | BigBear [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
Zren @ Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:50 am wrote: What about an option to have pre-loaded software. I know clean installs are nice, but there are some programs that are kinda necessity in this day and age. So how about a list of checkboxes with like:
Adobe Acrobat Java Flash Player Windows Live Suite (Messenger, Mail) Mozilla Firefox Opera Chrome Mozilla Thunderbird ...etc. Also If you start selling Win7 notebooks: [Checked automatically] Internet Explorer 8 You might also check to make sure the user is getting at least one browser. Adobe Acrobat - Foxit Reader (way faster) Windows Live Suite (Messenger, Mail) - Pigdin and if you mean Windows essential (I think MS calls their photo manager etc) that is all useless most people use other software And why three browsers? |
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| Author: | zero-impact [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
jernst @ Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:09 pm wrote: If I'm buying a mainstream laptop I'd just walk into future shop and get the cheapest thing I can find as quick as possible. The extra 100-300 I save will be worth having to deal with 10 minutes of them trying to sell me warranties and all the rest. The only time I would buy a laptop off the net is if I bought another high end laptop, and thats not going to happen again soon since my last one died from a soup attack.
I agree. I am looking at the system 76 laptops although.. |
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| Author: | Dan [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Would you pay for...? |
Amailer @ 30th April 2009, 2:13 pm wrote: For newbies offer an online support where you interactively build their system for them (since most people do not know how to pick what processor/ram and etc they need).
This is a great idea. I think alot of peoleop would pay to have this cusmtomzation help. I know i have help relavtives threw the process of buying a dell computer on there site as it has a bunch of customzation steps that a noraml person has no idea about. However i think wtd's idea was to have a few standard models with no customization. The problem with this is it is what feature shop, best buy and other birck and mortor stores do and they do it for alot less and in person (as well as online). |
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| Author: | btiffin [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
Polled no. But if you offered a GNU/Linux or other Open OS at $300 dollars LESS, I'd line up ... if it was time to buy. I'd appreciate a retailer that had a clue, so maybe even $10 less, knowing full well that most of the $N saved on the Windows license went to said retailer's pocket. Cheers |
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| Author: | wtd [ Fri May 01, 2009 1:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Would you pay for...? |
Dan @ Fri May 01, 2009 9:07 am wrote: Amailer @ 30th April 2009, 2:13 pm wrote: For newbies offer an online support where you interactively build their system for them (since most people do not know how to pick what processor/ram and etc they need).
This is a great idea. I think alot of peoleop would pay to have this cusmtomzation help. I know i have help relavtives threw the process of buying a dell computer on there site as it has a bunch of customzation steps that a noraml person has no idea about. However i think wtd's idea was to have a few standard models with no customization. The problem with this is it is what feature shop, best buy and other birck and mortor stores do and they do it for alot less and in person (as well as online). Not necessarily. Just... limited customization, and limited options for downgrading, which I would consider to be part and parcel with a good customer service experience. For instance, no wireless G by default, but N for $10 more option. Just include N by default. |
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| Author: | Dan [ Fri May 01, 2009 2:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Would you pay for...? |
wtd @ 1st May 2009, 1:48 am wrote: Not necessarily. Just... limited customization, and limited options for downgrading, which I would consider to be part and parcel with a good customer service experience. For instance, no wireless G by default, but N for $10 more option. Just include N by default. So why should i pay more for less custimzation then dell and less simpliticy then buying it form best buy? |
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| Author: | Tony [ Fri May 01, 2009 10:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
Probably because not everyone is competent with customization, and BestBuy tends to have horrible stock configurations. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Fri May 01, 2009 11:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
Another key to the idea being put forward here would be to avoid overlapping configurations in order to maintain a friendly customer experience. I have seen (and dealt firsthand with) the confusion caused by something like the following: 2.0GHz dual-core processor 3GB RAM 160GB HDD Wireless N Price: $799 2.0GHz dual-core processor 2GB RAM 320GB HDD Wireless G Price: $819 The first model is better in every way except the hard drive size, and it's unlikely the "average" computer shopper would even use 160GB, but would benefit from the extra RAM (especially with shared memory) and faster wireless. They're drawn to bigger numbers, though and 160 vs 320 is a bigger jump than 2 vs 3, so they buy the one that's $20 more expensive. The customer ends up frustrated with their purchase. This "choice" should never have been offered if one ultimately wants customers to be happy. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Fri May 01, 2009 11:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
And just to offer some idea of a possible lineup.... (please note the prices are made up to show a general theme, not to reflect deep research into current pricing) 13.3" notebooks: 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo 2GB RAM 250GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Integrated graphics Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $899 Comparable competitor: $799 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 500GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Integrated graphics Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $1199 Comparable competitor: $1099 15.4" notebooks: 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 250GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Integrated graphics Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $1199 Comparable competitor: $1099 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 500GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Dedicated graphics (middle of the road) Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $1599 Comparable competitor: $1399 17.1" notebooks: 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 500GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Dedicated graphics (middle of the road) Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $1699 Comparable competitor: $1499 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 500GB hard drive Wireless N/Bluetooth Dedicated graphics (high-ish end) Windows Vista Home Premium Price: $1999 Comparable competitor: $1699 |
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| Author: | Vermette [ Fri May 01, 2009 12:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
I don't know if this is a good business plan. Locking down the product line is to simplify inventory and earn a profit through volume sales. That's achieved by being cheaper than the competitors. |
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| Author: | Zren [ Fri May 01, 2009 1:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
BigBear @ Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:48 pm wrote: Adobe Acrobat - Foxit Reader (way faster) Windows Live Suite (Messenger, Mail) - Pigdin and if you mean Windows essential (I think MS calls their photo manager etc) that is all useless most people use other software And why three browsers? It all depends on your target audience. Most people recognize Adobe Acrobat and might not know Foxit Reader is for PDFs. A LOT of people use MSN and the others etc, I just gave a basic list pf programs that you'd have featured to get preinstalled. This isn't a list of preinstalled programs but a list of options. If you did do this though, then I suggest breaking stuff up into categories. This might also take more manpower per machine to install the programs, though there are some auto instllers out there. |
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| Author: | Amailer [ Fri May 01, 2009 1:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
To me I think an average user might not even look at the specs really but more so the price. And if you are selling things for a higher price, they probably wont go for it. For more teksavvy people, might not be the case but still, for me more money to spend is a turn off. |
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| Author: | ecookman [ Fri May 01, 2009 3:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Would you pay for...? |
possible yes but remember (this comes from life experiences) most people with computers don't have a clue about processor speeds or what they are capable of...only thing they are concerned about is the looks and price. I seriously had someone one of my friends friend come up to me with their laptop and were like...its not working...fix it So kinda knowing them i was nice and did some performance tweaks ...while looking i noticed that the computer was a complete mess (they claimed that they knew lots btw). The laptop was soo filled with junk it wasn't funny. the fun thing was seeing that there were like 130 processes running after start up. anyway... they didn't know how big their hard drive was (they thought they could put an infinite amount of stuff on it), processor speed, (according to them..a 1.8GHz processor was as fast as they get), screen res, wireless card type... the interactive setup idea is a good thing to do...but remember KEEP IT VERY SIMPLE.. and if they still can't figure out...have options like what will be the computer's primary use. work/school ($400-$600)[1.8ghz processor, 1GB RAM 120Gb HDD, HD screen) a multimedia center ($700-$1500) [2.0-2.2GHZ processor, 2GB ram 200GB HDD] playing high-end games(2.4-2.6GHZ processor GPU----,320GB HDD, HD screen) and then have further customizable options like Bang for Buck, or I Have Money And I Wanna' Spend It options also have a decription if some things you are capable of doing with each configuration. |
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| Author: | BigBear [ Fri May 01, 2009 4:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Would you pay for...? |
How different would the interaction be compared to HP's website? |
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