[Elecraft] K3S Package Discounts

[Don Wilhelm]

On the contrary, I think the decision to offer "standard configuration 
packages" is a result of customer questions resulting from confusion 
about "what options do I need" and much time devoted to pre-sale 
communication with prospective customers.

Other manufacturers offer an "all or nothing" package that is their 
current model/configuration.

I have witnessed the confusion of many prospective buyers at the 
Elecraft booth at many hamfests - there is a lot of confusion about 
which options they should include.  We endeavor to provide assistance to 
customize the option mix to the wants and needs of the customer.

These "standard" packages is a way to allow customers to purchase a K3S 
for the type of operating that they will be doing while minimizing that 
pre-sale activity.

One can still order additional options even with the pre-defined 
packages (and I assume also delete some options).  But for the customer 
who is not familiar with what each Elecraft option will do for their 
operating experience, I believe it is a step in the right direction.

If Elecraft were to follow other manufacturer's footsteps, there would 
be a K3S-I, K3S-II and K3S-III designation for each of those bundles, 
but note that Elecraft has chosen not to do that.  You do not have to 
sell your K3S-I to get a K3S-III, just add the options needed to upgrade 
it.

That "upgradability" has always been unique at Elecraft.  Any K2 can be 
upgraded to the electrical equal of a new one, the same goes for the K3 
with the addition of the modules included in the K3S (with only a few 
minor exceptions).

This is part of the Elecraft customer support philosophy.  Note that the 
K2 is a 1998 design and is still going strong, and still fully supported.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/29/2017 11:17 AM, WILLIE BABER wrote:
> I imagine that many persons wanting K3/K3s have one, and so sales may not be as robust as a result. The many improvements over time have created a mature radio--and all essential improvements can be made to an early K3 (same with the K2).  I appreciate Elecraft for this approach to building radios.  However, this does mean that many of us are using aging K3s that work just as well as the new K3s.  I have two K3 radios (so2r), one is about nine years older than the other one but they are both essentially the same.
>