I previously mentioned Sony’s not-so-customer-friendly past behavior (previous post link). In short, Sony always wanted to create their own, non-compatible standards, so they could comfortably lock-in consumers to their products. The range of products this applies to is extremely big, which is to me a proof that this is a company strategy.
Here’s why I decided to add Sony to the evil companies featured on this blog (along with HP, the first evil company I wrote about): If you need a replacement screw for your Sony speaker, it will cost you 82$ US. And as you can see from the picture – this is a special screw. It’s a screw-the-customer screw, I’d say. (via Digg)
Is microsoft in too? I mean, they also love to create they own standards….
Best comment:
“I’ve paid a lot more than that for a screw.”
Gotta love it…
rom: I have mixed feelings about Microsoft… as a monopoly they use business tactics that aren’t friendly. But as a developer for Microsoft I felt as if they were doing good things so that you’ll be able to relatively easily develop for the various versions of Windows. These things are somewhat related: if you set the standard you can also provide the best development tools.
xtreeq: Yep… that’s a funny one.
I’m talking about extending the standard so only ms tools can understand it. Html which comes from word is an example
I realize that Microsoft tactics for consumer lock-in are awful, to say the least.
But:
1. I think Microsoft is getting better over time, and they will get better because market forces will make them get better
2. I can’t honestly bash Microsoft while I’m still using their products at home. Maybe when I’ll make the switch :)
Can you find a web site (with the screw’s picture) where it is sold for that price? I could only find it for $38, with no picture of the screw and it actualy seems to be related with speakers and not ps3.
Right… so I found the same 38$ price:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/freitasm/2984
But that’s distribution price. If you consider the distributer addition, the price is even higher.
But let’s say the price is only 38$. Don’t you think that’s a lot for a simple (albeit special) screw?
How do you know that this screw in the photo is realy the “screw special”? Maybe it’s a gig
It could be, and if it turns out to be a bogus item, I’ll post an apology. Right now, although I imagine Sony PR people heard about this, nothing was heard from Sony with regards to this issue.