[CoLoCo] Ubuntu at Best Buy

[Kevin Fries]

On Tue, 2008-07-08 at 14:50 -0600, David Overcash wrote:
> But...  it costs money.
> 
> I'm gonna have to say we're one step FURTHER now...  ; )

I would disagree strongly.  Its funny that by putting a price on it will
probably do more to add legitimacy to Linux than actually showing up on
the shelf.  I had a buddy that got a new recliner, and wanted to get rid
of his old one.  He put it out on the curb with a free sign, and it sat
their for two days... no takers.  The neighbors were having a yard sale,
and he added it to the sale.  He got $30 for the recliner.  Why?  First,
the sale got people looking, and adding a price added the allusion of
worth.  It was the same recliner!  That product placement along with
perceived worth increased consumer desire not decreased it.

Another example.  Ask anybody who consults if they are worth half of
what they quote people.  If they are honest, they will say no way.  But
if you don't charge outrageous rates, people think you are a hack.  I
usually quote people between $100 and $125 per hour for private
consulting work.  And when I actually go out looking for it, I generally
get plenty of work.  When I lower my rate to $75 I get less work.  This
sounds counter intuitive, but that is the way it actually works.
Usually, I quote them at $100-$125 and let them talk me down to about
$60-$75.  This works for me, and they think they are getting a great
deal.

People and perceptions are funny things.  When you can tell people to go
down to Best Buy and buy a disk, they will add their own sense of worth
to the product in their own mind.  Then tell them that you can get the
same exact product for the cost of a download... BINGO what a deal!!!
Never mind that they could always download it for free, now they are
getting a $20 product for free.  I think it would actually work better
if they raised the price to look like they are trying to compete with
OS/X, Say $79 to Apple's $99.

People are funny creatures.  Stupid, but funny :-)

-  
Kevin Fries
Senior Linux Engineer
Computer and Communications Technology, Inc
A Division of Japan Communications Inc.