Don: Your points are spot on. I can recall back in 2014 when I first started to think seriously about acquiring a K3, it took a significant amount of time to try to figure what options were “important” vs. “desirable” and understanding how options interfaced with each other. It wasn’t until I was at the Huntsville Hamfest in August of that year and could ask questions of the Elecraft Team that I was able to determine what to order. Eric subsequently took my order (K3 w/selected options, KPA500, KAT500 and K3/0-Mini) at the hamfest and it wasn’t long after that I had my ‘goodies’ in hand. I subsequently had my remote station in SE Georgia up and running and have been happy with the setup ever since.
What’s interesting about Elecraft’s approach is that this isn’t much different from ordering other ‘high end’ products from manufacturers that offer variations to their product line. Apple offers their computers with variations in CPU, storage capacity, memory capacity, graphics capacity, screen size, etc. based upon ‘common’ consumer interest and price points. Dell and others do the same thing. Automobile Manufacturers offer vehicles starting a basic model, then variations based what ‘packages’ are offered as bundles. Example: Ford offers the base model, then “XLT, then “Limited” then “Sport.” Of course, there are numerous color combinations (exterior and interior) not to mention different interior materials (leather, vinyl, etc.). My point is as consumers, we’re familiar with the idea of ’tailoring’ products based upon common packages that ‘consumers’ (or “amateurs” in this case) would typically order. That doesn’t prevent us from ’special order’ tailored to our specific needs when purchasing automobiles, computers, or now Elecraft gear. In this case, Elecraft offers both ‘packages’ to provide some insight into what ’typical’ purchasers based upon areas of interest (contesting, DX, casual operating) are typically looking for to give potential purchasers an idea of configurations (and price) that meet their preferences while also fulfilling special orders as the purchaser wants to see in their equipment. (not to mention both factory and kit form). Congratulations to Elecraft for providing another product differentiation that focuses on the needs of the purchaser. Along with this approach, I’m also impressed by their ‘upgrade’ pathways for K3 owners wishing to incorporate K3s features which addresses not only enhancing performance but also simplifies the upgrade process while verifying that what leaves the factory is up to spec. This flexibility is somewhat unique to Elecraft within the amateur radio marketplace and reflects well their focus on meeting the needs of the customer which in turn reinforces brand loyalty. We all appreciate the company that stands behind their product. FWIW, Barry Baines, WD4ASW (Currently in Columbia, SC) > On Jul 29, 2017, at 12:12 PM, Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote: > > 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. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
