Let me take my HP badge off. I agree with George. Price is the primary issue
with most buyers. They'll buy something based on price even if it doesn't do
the job. It's frightening to see people saving pennies, literally pennies,
when the decision can affect the survival of a multi million dollar company.
There's a reason why there's a Nobel Peace Prize for Economics. I just hope
someone wins the final one so we can live in financial peace. <lol>

Personally, I have been known to offer sales reps, such as when I'm buying a
suit, or restaurant servers more money then the publish price. If they have
another customer who appears in a hurry, I tell them to go ahead and take
care of that customer. It's interesting to see their reactions. All of a
sudden things start flying out from the back room or secret reserve wine
list. They tell me things that I know no other customer would want to know
<lol>. The bull shit factor goes to zero.

A cocktail waitress on her last day at my favorite French Bistro came over
to me 12 years ago and said, "Steve Wong, you arethe toughest customer I
ever had. You probably thought you were just being nice. I know your type.
You know what your buying and if I don't give you the quality you demand,
you'll cut me off." You know what, she's was right. I'm the type that
quietly walks away. Also, I believe, its only expensive if it doesn't work.

Sorry about dumping. It's something that's always has bothered me when your
trying to help the customer be successful, which is all that we care about
at HP.

                     Steve

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