[mythtv-users] Hauppauge USB CableCard Tuner for $129!

[Tom Bongiorno]

On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 11:04 AM, Dan Wilga <
mythtv-users2 at dwilga-linux1.amherst.edu> wrote:

> On 7/14/11 10:53 AM, Jay Ashworth wrote:
> > I'm pretty sure that SD will get slapped with Restraint of Trade charges
> > if they try that; it's been well established law in the US for... 50
> years
> > or more? that manufacturers are not entitled to anything other than an
> > opinion about retail pricing.
> >
> Try telling that to Apple and Nintendo. They very actively prevent
> anyone from selling below retail. I'm not sure what loophole they
> exploit to do it legally, but they do do it.
>
> --
> Dan Wilga                                                        "Ook."
>
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I think it is a leverage thing.  Apple and Nintendo have products that
Amazon desperately wants to sell.  Amazon is willing to sell at MAP just to
keep Apple and Nintendo happy and keep stock coming in.  The roles are
reversed with SiliconDust (SD) and Amazon.  Amazon is a major retailer that
will significantly impact SD's bottom line.  SD is in the noise for Amazon
bottom line.

Here is the response I got from Amazon this morning:

"Some manufacturers have minimum advertised price (MAP) policies that
restrict how retailers can present prices on their products if they are
below a certain level. Retailers are not legally required to comply with
these policies, but the manufacturer may impose penalties on the retailer if
it displays a price below this MAP amount. Amazon always sets its retail
prices independently, but the way our prices are displayed may be affected
by MAP policies. Because our price on this item is lower than the
manufacturer's minimum advertised price, the manufacturer's policy doesn't
allow us to show you our price on the product detail page. All MAP policies
have different requirements; the policy of this particular manufacturer
requires that the price not be visible until the final checkout stage. We
show you our price at the earliest point in the shopping process that the
manufacturer's policy will allow. This website presentation is necessary for
Amazon to offer the lowest price on this product."

-Tom
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