[Elecraft] The Believers

[Steve Sacco NN4X]

Hi Tom -


Thanks for your thoughts.  I've renamed the Subject line to split 
this response from the rest of the "TRANSLATION" thread.

Yes, the 60's...we had the insect name phase, and the animal name 
phases, among others.  Turns out, there's folk group called "The 
Believers" http://cdbaby.com/cd/believers

Anyway, "The Believers" is a tag to those who embrace something 
beyond what folks of a more normal passion level might.  No 
reasonable person could deny that there are a significant number of 
those in the Elecraft camp.

Tom, if you want "the simple truth", it's this: There are TWO 
separate and distinct issues here.  I'm trying to be careful to give 
them the benefit of the doubt on the first, but will cut them no 
slack on that later, because, by any definition, it's wrong.

Issue 1: The K3 and selected accessories are not available as 
promised.  Yes, "bumps in the road" happen.  Understood.

Issue 2: Elecraft has consistently and apparently with forethought 
knowingly kept their customers (both perspective and paying) in the 
dark about the status of the K3.  Additionally, it appears that 
they've misrepresented the actual development status of the K3, the 
KRX3 and the KDVR3.  The details have been discussed many times 
before, and it should be obvious to anyone.

I can accept the "We're a small company" song and dance - to a 
point.  Who doesn't like to root for the underdog, right?   I LIKE 
the story ("Wild-eyed hams", etc.), but I'm BUYING the 
product...and...last time I checked, Elecraft *IS* looking to profit 
from their business (rightfully so!), and that means they have to step up.

There is no excuse to misrepresent the status of the product to those 
very same customers whom they claim to embrace.  Bumps in the road 
will happen, but that's not the point.

There is even less excuse for those customers to willingly accept 
being treated in that way. Only a "Believer" would drink that KOOL AID.


All IMO, naturally.


73,
Steve NN4X











http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodwill_%28accounting%29  also 
http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/old/14152806.htm

 > Tom AK2B wrote:
 >
 >>Hi Steve,
 >>
 >>"The Believers" sounds more like a 60's rock group than a description of
 >>Elecraft customers. From my perspective, working for a small business, you
 >>become well acquainted with your customers over a period of time. A lot of
 >>these customers come back because they trust you based upon their past
 >>experiences. So, you are absolutely correct when you say that a company's
 >>word and reputation are paramount. I've been dealing with Elecraft since
 >>2004. In that time I've had numerous occasions where I had to contact the
 >>company for a variety of reasons. In no case were my e-mails or phone
 >>calls
 >>ignored or sidetracked to a foreign country. Every experience I've had
 >>with
 >>Elecraft whether through their products or customer support has been
 >>positive. (I wish I could say that about more than a handful of the
 >>companies I do business with.)
 >>
 >>The simple truth is, any company can hit a bump in the road and will. At
 >>that point, they have to rely on their word and past reputation. Based
 >>upon
 >>Elecraft's track record, I don't feel the least worried. When I read posts
 >>like yours, I just assume you haven't any prior experience with the
 >>company
 >>in which to base your comments. It is very easy to look with a jaundiced
 >>eye
 >>towards a lot of disreputable businesses these days and then lump them all
 >>together. In the long run, though, it is not fair to those that who have
 >>done nothing to warrant it.
 >>I don't see Elecraft as a religion to which your "Believers" tag implies.
 >>They are a COMPANY of people of which I have had the pleasure of doing
 >>business with. I like what they sell and I like the way the treat me. It's
 >>that simple.
 >>
 >>The K3 is as a major undertaking by a couple of wide eyed hams in Aptos
 >>who
 >>think they can build the world's best amateur transceiver. I think they
 >>have
 >>done it – even though there remain a few bumps. I think they also feel a
 >>strong sense of responsibility in making sure that you not only get what
 >>they have advertised but that it also works as advertised.
 >>Frankly, I see it all as rather exciting that the K3 is still undergoing
 >>so
 >>many changes right before my eyes and that it only takes a few mouse
 >>clicks
 >>to implement them. But, make no mistake, the K3 as it sits is a remarkable
 >>product - maybe not finished - but, none-the-less, remarkable. The fact
 >>that
 >>the K3 will be getting even better with time leaves me feeling that my
 >>money
 >>was not only well spent – but is also producing dividends.
 >>Come to think of it, maybe I am a Believer.
 >>
 >>Tom, AK2B
 >>

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