Mr. Kearney compares Sendero's strategy with a "Bait and Switch" which is
unfortunate since it only means he has apparently not read the app
description or any information about the app on the Sendero website. As
somebody else pointed out, it clearly states on the Sendero website that a
subscription is required and this information is also contained in the app
description. In any case, here is the definition of a Bait and Switch which
typically applies to retail products, it involves false advertising as well
as 2 products, one as the bait and one, more expensive one, as the switch:
Bait-and-switch is a form of fraud used in retail sales.
first, customers are "baited" by merchants' advertising products or services
at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the
advertised goods are not available, or the customers are pressured by sales
people to consider similar, but higher priced items ("switching").
The intention of the bait-and-switch is to encourage purchases of
substituted goods, making consumers satisfied with the available stock
offered, as an alternative to a disappointment or inconvenience of acquiring
no goods (or bait) at all, and reckoning on a seemingly partial recovery of
sunk costs expended trying to obtain the bait. It suggests that the seller
will not show the original product or service advertised but instead will
demonstrate a more expensive product or a similar product with a higher
margin
I find it unfortunate that so many people have so much bad stuff to say
about a company and a product which most of them haven't even tried and
which has been keenly anticipated by a lot of blind iPhone users. Let's hope
that we will soon hear testamonies and reviews from people who are actually
using the app and who point out its good sides for a change. This almost
reminds me of all the bashing of apple that has been going on especiallhy in
the tech media, it seems every time somebody comes out with something good
somebody else feels they don't deserve recognition and success. Feedback and
criticism can also be made in constructive ways which contribute to
improving the product.
Regards,
Sieghard
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Joanne Chua
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2013 2:03 AM
To: viphone; share
Subject: Sendero's i-phone gps app
Hi all,
Below message might e interest for some of you.
Regards
Joanne (AU)
From: Greg Kearney
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2013 08:44:18 +0800
Subject: Sendero's i-phone gps app
I downloaded this app by tricking my phone into thinking it was in the U.S.
and that I could buy things from the U.S. app store. I have serious issues
with the way this app is being marketed which I feel is deceptive and
amounts to a bait and switch. These concerns have nothing to do with the
fact that the app does not support navigation outside of North America,
which is why it is at the moment only offered in the U.S. app store.
My issue come from the fact that the app is promoted as a free download,
which in fact it is. What the developer fail to tell you is that while you
can download the app for free the app will be useless to you unless you buy
the subscription for $70 a year. So, in fact, the app is not free at all and
unlike other GPS solutions the app will cost you money each year to keep it
running. Should the company go out of business the app becomes worthless.
Also you are going to be at the mercy of the company as far as pricing goes.
Once you have this app you will need to continue to pay each year for the
ability to use it.
While other apps do use the idea of in app buy in those app do as a rule
offer some, all be it limited, functions in the free version.
This is not the case here.
The other issue that the app is completely dependent on data from the
internet and so unlike many GSP applications will require that you have a
data connection on your phone at all times. If you attempt to use this app
outside of areas with data service the app will simply stop working. This
would pose a real issue in regional, rural and outback Australia where data
and sometimes even phone coverage is not available. Not only will you be
paying the $70 a year but you will be using up your phone data demands as
well.
Given these fact I think that we would do well to remember the maxim:
caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
Gregory Kearney | Manager Accessible Media Association for the Blind of WA -
Guide Dogs WA
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.
Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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