| ??? 04/18/08 17:08 Modified: 04/18/08 17:10 Read: times Msg Score: +1 +1 Informative |
#153687 - Ok, specifics Responding to: ???'s previous message |
Richard Erlacher said:
Jerson,
Now consider the fact that all those apparently corrupt dealers. Each of them has to pay the customs duty required to get his product into India. True enough, they consolidate shipments so they can save on freight cost, but they surely can't do the same with customs duty. Global problems like under-invoicing by big traders affect small developers like me due to which we get squeezed on our tiny quantities. However, samples get through without a hitch. Richard Erlacher said:
If people would simply not tolerate the very high "rip-off" prices in combination with the risk of counterfeits, both would go away. It requires a concerted effort from an organized group of developers. Perhaps a bit of networking would be of use. Its very sad. We still wait for someone to bell the cat. Because, the CAT is very BIG and FAT. But of late, we have a Right to Information Act thats proving effective. Moreover, you need time on your hands (which translates to money) to fight for whats rightfully yours. Richard Erlacher said:
Have you attempted to use manufacturers other than Atmel? Which ones? How were you treated? In what quantity were you wishing to deal? I use Microchip, Cypress PSoC besides the 8051 from NXP and Atmel devices. My dealings with Microchip are pleasant till date. Cypress too is only too willing to please. Of course, these are the local reps for the companies concerned; not the retail shops who sell surplus/defects. Richard Erlacher said:
One other thing ... While this is not directly an ATMEL problem, if you and others whom you know to be using ATMEL components stop using ATMEL parts because they are not available without the inherent risk of counterfeiting, you can make it ATMEL's problem by refusing to use their components unless they sell them directly to you. Unfortunately, most developers like me work with tiny quantities which may escalate to 100s of devices a quarter. This is hardly a quantity that shakes manufacturers or their reps out of their slumber. Richard Erlacher said: Smiling - I understand. The last I used an Atmel device to read power consumption, I found lots of issues with the device. After some random emails between one of the chip designers and me, they marked the chip as abandoned/obsolete because the DSP on board that chip refused to behave.
Now, the reason I don't use ATMEL is exactly that they don't fix the problems and don't ensure their products are faulty, and don't warn of production problems, don't even tell the truth about flaws in their product, and, in fact, try to blame the customer rather than accepting responsibility for their screwups.
Richard Erlacher said:
This may sell in Asian culture, though I doubt it, but it doesn't sell here. True, people here still have to begin to taste success in fighting for their rights. And its hard to explain to folks in Europe. |
