[sdiy] Major Score in the Dumpster at work!

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Terry Michaels <104065.2340 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Major Score in the Dumpster at work!
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 00:10:34 -0500

> Message text written by Rainer Buchty
> >I've been told that that destruction game is played in electronics stores
> as well - if e.g. TV sets don't sell (not even at dumping prices) they
> just have to be destroyed.
> 
> Business obeys strange rules.
> 
> Rainer<
> 
> Hi Rainer:
> 
> There are exceptions to that.  Earlier this evening I walked into a certain
> nationally based electronics retailer to buy a flatbed scanner.  I saw an
> HP 5300C on the shelf, it had the specs I wanted, and even better, was
> marked "clearace" for $129.50.  However, there were no boxed units under
> the shelf like the other models, so I asked a nearby clerk to get me a
> boxed one.  He checked his inventory computer, and told me that the display
> model I saw on the shelf was the last one, and he would sell it to me for
> $100.00.  Then he discovered there was no manual, sortware disk or power
> supply (wall wart) for it.  Right then the department manager walked by,
> and said "tell you what, I'll sell you that scanner for five dollars"!  So
> he wrote up a sales slip and signed it (for $4.60, not $5.00, I have no
> idea where that number came from) and I paid at the register and walked
> out.  Now I just need to buy a wall wart for the proper voltage, download
> the drivers from HP's web site, and I'm in business.

Good for you! I got my HP 5370C when it hit the store, and then I
really mean it! I knew it would come but I would have settled for the
previous model but they where just unloading them so I picked one up
and went of paying for it... I was going to by a scanner in that store
anyway, so why not the one I *really* wanted the day I wanted? ;O)

> I own a number of pieces of HP and Tektronics test equipment, typically
> 80's vintage.  I have bought non working spectrum analyzers and other
> equipment in recent years for cheap, but when I call HP or Tek to obtain
> some custom part they made 20 years ago I'm told it is no longer available,
> making my $2000.00 (todays market value) spectrum analyzer basically
> worthless.  I know a few employees at both of these companies, they cannot
> take home old, customer returned equipment, it must be distroyed, that's
> company policy. OTOH, if old equipment could be taken home, parts could be
> salvaged and sold to those who need them, to people like me who can't
> afford to spend $25,000.00 for new test equipment.  I believe the reason
> for this policy is, by not allowing older equipment to be supported, they
> will sell more newly manufactured equipment.  That may be partially true,
> but I still  think it is stupid and irresponsible to put parts or equipment
> that someone, somewhere could use into a landfill.

They should be deeply ashamed of themselfs! I think that these
companies should understand the value of DIY people. These are the
guys where they will eventually pick up some of the best engineers
around, because they know how things work. If they at least not work
against them things would improve indeed. I run alot of used gear and
because of this fact I can have a much better equiped labb than
else. Naturally I let friends benefit from it.

I think we are really talking about the difference in mind of an
economic and an engineer. What may seem like the best economical way
is not necessarily seen as the best way by the engineer. The
experienced engineer have however learned that it is usually not worth
to try to convince the economy people.

Cheers,
Magnus