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May 09, 2003
Greedy Leading the Blind
Computer stores must love people who don't know anything about computers. At least, they must love the money they can separate from technophobes. For example, think of the non-technical person looking for a flatbed scanner. Now-a-days, scanners are dirt cheap. The local CompUSA has several HPs for less than $100 USD (not that I'm advocating buying HP).
No, you aren't going to be doing super high quality work with any of the sub-$100 versions and no you aren't going to be doing it very quickly, but they do the job for most people. So salesmen must fall over themselves when a naive person comes walking in saying: "Sell me a scanner. No, I don't know anything about scanners. No, I don't know what kind of software I need. No, I don't know what kind of output file I need. Just sell me something because I know I need one."
So, of course they sell him or her the $450 model that can scan in TRILLIONS of colors. Surely, trillions of colors must be better than mere millions. Right? Surely 2,400 X 2,400 resolution must be better than lowly 1,400 X 1,400. Right? Surely one that can scan transparencies and film is better than one that can't right?
But what if all you will be scanning is a sheet of paper with a signature on it? What if all the receiver wants is confirmation that you got their document and have signed it?
In that case, who the *%^! cares whether it can scan in 48-bit color or at 2,400dpi? All of that is irrelevant BS to make people think they are getting value for their money. I don't know who to be more angry towards - the salesperson for taking advantage of people or the buyer for not knowing enough to ask the right questions.
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