Are you old enough to remember the opening sequence of “The Outer Limits”?
There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it [...]
Set prices go back much farther than those listed. Back in the 50's and 60's in sporting goods and particularly firearms, you had to sign a contract as did the wholesaler just to handle a couple of manufacturers to sell their merchandise. As I recall, this was eventually ruled illegal and they stopped the practice before being hauled into court.
But even if it were allowed, you would need an outstanding product to keep the price up. I no longer purchase Sony products due to their root kit and the CEO's remarks about the consumer related to it. OTOH many products have Sony parts within and I'm stuck there. I would do the same if a company started "Price Fixing" . They are far better off to sell a lot on a thin margin than a few on a large margin.
The American consumer has become quite cost/price conscious over the last decade. Price matters almost as much as features and when features are similar people will concentrate on price except for brand loyalty whether deserved or not.
And I doubt most even remember the "root kit" or Sony's CEO's remarks about the intelligence of their customers. Of course he was correct about the average uses knowledge of the equipment and programs, but that was not the point. They were taking advantage of that and all they had to do was replace the CDs, not the cost of the damage they did.
I personally believe any company who views the lifeblood of their existence (their customers) with disdain does not deserve the support of the free market, or customer loyalty.
Some time ago now, Sony Corp (obviously, their Board, etc..) did come to their collective decision to essentially STOP being in the "HDTV" side of business, going forward.
The "..Input.." will be limited to the leasing of that Name & Logo ... all else = = even to the Inclusion of Outside Engineering of future Product Offerings = = will be by & from "..Others!''
No more superior 'Sony' Equipment(s), as back in the days of our "..Man-On-The-Moon.." gear ..OR.. their fabulous "..Trinitron!.."
