HTM has decided

If that was the case, WHY can you buy them direct from HTM. If they wished to avoid supporting them direct?

[Link: hometheatermaster.com]

1) HTM is not worried about supporting the MX-700. They would support it just as well as they have the MX-500, which according to most reports, is exemplary. Obviously, though, they would want the custom installer to support his customer, and HTM would support the custom installer.

2) If all of this complaining keeps up, HTM will go back to their original program of selling to certified custom installers only. The $499 price reflects SOME of the programming that goes into the remote. Obviously, the installer can include this all in the whole installation, or provide the cost out separately and increase or reduce that $499 depending upon the complexity of the programming.

3) Again, if you keep complaining, the etailers will not be allowed to even sell the MX-700, so if you don't have a B&M near you, you are out of luck.

4) So, all of this talk about price fixing, etc. is only because HTM went away from their original policy of selling only to custom installers. This is no different than any electronic component company giving a certain chain of stores an exclusive on a component.

I haven't heard of any custom installers being told to sell it at $499 or else. Etailers are being included only as a courtesy to them, again because the original marketing strategy was exclusively for custom installers.

5) Sure, I agree that it would be nice to see an MX-700 without the SideKick selling in the $329 range, with a street of $225 to $250, but that is up to HTM to decide how they want to market the system.

They decided originally to market a Dual Remote Control System to the Custom Installer industry.

6) Example: A lot of your complaining is like going into a Best Buy store (e.g. etailers) and having a canary fit because they aren't selling the component you want (MX-700) at the price you want when that component is only available at another electronics chain (custom installers), which chain (custom installers) has the exclusive rights to the component.

Some of you don't know when you are hurting yourelves in the long run.

... Greg

I don't think many MX-1000 owners would say HTM has such great product support. They have been waiting how long for better programming software via a update? Have they seen it yet? How many new products have come out since the MX-1000, without any updates for it's programming software?

And keeping our mouths shut, sure won't help anyone as you suggest it will. If HTM can not accept negative feedback on a issue that has many upset, well then they have major problems as a company. Also you are sure placing a high premium, on what you think the Sidekick is adding to the price. It's worth to the package, is not anywhere near that amount. The MX-700 is what the MX-1000 should have been. But HTM dropped the ball on the MX-1000! This entire for "the custom installers" only, is just a bunch of BS. The MX-700 may never even end up being the product of choice for them anyway. As it seems most of them use a Pronto, and may not want to change.

Johnla: You'll notice I left out the MX-1000 in my post. HTM got themselves into a bind that they are actually working on getting themselves out of. It may not be exactly on your timetable though.

And it is a fact, if you've been on this forum for very long, that HTM is highly regarded for their customer service, even on the MX-1000.

The gripe people have with the MX-1000 is the programming software and I cannot defend HTM on that. It is not what was promised.

The MX-1000 hardware, and the support of that hardware by HTM has been exemplary. IN fact, ALL of HTM's hardware is great, with the exception of some details like the thumbpad issue, which, if you notice from another recent post in one of the threads in this forum, has been addressed.

The person had sent back two GS2 MX-500's do to the wobbly thumbpad, and decided he would try one more time, and got a very good thumbpad this time that works reliably and with no wobble. A bit stiff, but I'll bet that will lighten up in time.

Just do a search in this forum and you'll see that the kudos for HTM's service far outway the negatives, and it is also a fact that you'll see negative reports 10 times as much as you'll see reports from a satisfied customer.

As for the rest, we'll have to agree to disagree on the points we disagree on. I do however agree with the points that I agree with you on. ;-)

... Greg :-)

One more item of interest:

Just for your information, Costco is NOT buying MX-500's directly from URC/HTM, nor is HTM shipping directly from their warehouses for Costco. Costco is buying from a distributor.

... Greg

I tried to order one today. they told me that they are not selilng them at the moment. they are on back order. their marketing department is reviewing the "situation" and that they will know something in the next week or so about whether, or not, they will sell them, and if so, at what price.

I will call them back in a week. this price is great. i only wish i had seen it sooner!

Hi David,

I am visiting New York on 14th. Is there any shop in Manhattan where I can pick this up? Also do you think this is really that good???

Many thanks
Pramod

On 10/28/02 16:32, ungarod said...