Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 31

I assume the Visor will eventually be sold through non-Handspring outlets but I was wondering if there was any word on when? I'd like to see one in person before deciding on a color, plus the online stores usually have nice discounts which is great for us poor college students. Unless my boss can be convinced to buy it for me...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 159

There have been several articles that discussed Handspring's plans to look into reseller channels early next year. No real dates have been provided as to when you might find them in your local CompUSA, though.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

The Visor is only going to be available through HandSpring's web site, at least through the end of the year.

Two factors, most likely:
1) Supply is just ramping up, and until production gets up to speed, they'll probably have demand enough from the web site to suck up their supply.
2) The goal was to keep the prices very low, and by selling direct, they can sell at a lower price than if they had to share profit with retailers. Once production ramps up and parts costs drop, they'll have enough "loose" margin to go to retail.

Even if they were available at retail, given the cost of goods on these right now, I doubt you'd be able to save much. Handspring would probably have had to introduce them at higher prices to make up the difference.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Urbana IL
Posts: 144

Hmm...I doubt it. Since I buy most things online for a fraction of retail, I doubt the free market would be more expensive than price setting. Sure, maybe for a little while, but as soon as there was a reasonable stock someone would trade price for quantity of sales.

If Handspring wasn't able to meet demand though (and it looks as though this could be the case) then you would probably be correct.

~Tiroth

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

By selling direct you must have a fixed price policy. If HS would sell the Visor from tomorrow onwards for US$199 there will be lots of bad comments from early buyers.

Palm is selling online for pretty high prices - but selling to large volume resellers for big discounts.

HS will probably have the same policy some time next year after initial demand is satisfied and production catches up.


PS: Apple does not reduce prices for the iMac, they rather come out every 3 month or so with a faster model or new feature. I think it's a good policy to keep sales going.


[This message has been edited by HipHop (edited 10-19-1999).]