Support That Is Based Outside Of USA

[El_Phil]

Slynky said:

The problem is, El_Phil, as a consumer/customer, I generally have NO say-so in what I get. Though I used Dell as an example of a company who supplies support from inside/outside the US, in many ways, I have no choice. I buy Photoshop and make a call, I get what Adobe has put in place. Or anything else I buy for my PC that I may need to call about, as in a router (you don't want to hear that story).

As for paying for something, don't think for a minute EVERY single penny of what it takes to research, produce, distribute, and SUPPORT a product hasn't been figured into its cost. For the stupid people who run out and buy "such-and-such" brand car because it comes with free maintenance for the first 5 years, well, you're just paying up front for all of it (whether you use it or not...which is much worse than paying as you need it).

For those who can remember, cars used to contain a LOT more metal than they do now. Now, there is a lot of "plastic". Why? So the car companies can save money (and brag about how their car didn't increase much in cost.


[/quote]

Eh? Last time I checked the chassis of a car was still steel and the bodywork was metal of various types (sports cars use plastic/fibreglass for lower weight). The engine block is still steel/ally depending on makers preference or spec.

Yeah the dash and what have you is plastic, but the metal content has probably only gone down (if it has at all) as steel makers can now get the same strength from thinner sheet metal.

You can't work out the tech support costs, it's impossible to factor in the stupidity factor of many users.

So you don't and charge for it aftersale through phone calls. This is progress and to be encouraged. People who don't learn how to fix their machines and need support pay more. I save money as the cost of support isn't included in the machines/components I buy. Everyone is a winner.

[Slynky]

El_Phil said:
Eh? Last time I checked the chassis of a car was still steel and the bodywork was metal of various types (sports cars use plastic/fibreglass for lower weight). The engine block is still steel/ally depending on makers preference or spec.

Yeah the dash and what have you is plastic, but the metal content has probably only gone down (if it has at all) as steel makers can now get the same strength from thinner sheet metal.

Take a closer look at cars. Look at the Honda Element, for example. OR the Aztec. You'll find about 25% of the body is plastic. Honda will be producing a plastic/synthetic block for their new Si engine. Metal bumpers have been replaced by plastic. And a LOT of cars have the first 6-12 inches of the lower body cast in plastic now. Finally, at least one tire manufacturer is testing plastic tires.

[Slynky]

El_Phil said:
You can't work out the tech support costs, it's impossible to factor in the stupidity factor of many users.

Absolutely FALSE. Calculating expected costs of tech support IS and will ALWAYS be able to be done. Statistics are gathered from past calls and used to forecast future requirements. Info is purchased from other companies and from companies who specialize in forcasting costs. And if it can't be done to within a half a percent of being correct, beleive me, the error will lie in favor of the company, NOT the purchaser of the product.

A statment like yours only shows a certain amount of naiveté in business modeling.

[Fyron]

El_Phil said:
Eh? Last time I checked the chassis of a car was still steel and the bodywork was metal of various types (sports cars use plastic/fibreglass for lower weight). The engine block is still steel/ally depending on makers preference or spec.

You must have not checked in in the last 15-20 years. Most cars these days, at least as sold in the US, have bodies consisting almost entirely of plastic and/or fiber glass. The frame and necessary parts of the engine are still steel, but that is about it. Its a way to not only make the car cheaper to build, but also to make it lighter, thus increasing gas mileage.

[Renegade 13]

That must be the smallest post I've ever seen Narf!