In light of this, I don't blame nVidia for wanting to resist Microsoft. Sure, "resistance is futile," but what are the alternatives?
Tenchusatsu, I don't know the details of what happened but I suspect MSFT placed an order without a firm price per chip, and probably NVDA went along with it because it was MSFT and they wanted the prestige that goes along with having MSFT on your customer list. Then later when payment was made, the price MSFT paid was a disappointment. I think MSFT/Gates is famous for this kind of or something similar screw job.
First, let me say I think this kind of business dealing stinks. About 5-6 years a friend of mine was putting together a business selling a kind of decorative furniture. While helping him, I learned that if you sell to a major dept store like Macy's, they expect to be treated differently than a smaller customer. They demand a substantive discount, often take 90 days to pay, and expect to have their inventory replenished overnite. In other words, they were obnoxious.
So why would you sell to them? Well, when you tell buyers of other stores that Macy's placed an order, they will buy almost automatically......they want what Macy's has. Unfortunately, in most industries, very few people know what's good when they see it so having a Macy's on customer list validates your product. In the same way, MSFT has the same clout in computers as Macy's has in retail.
And this is not peculiar to MSFT or a Macys'. I'm sure INTC does the same thing. The market leaders get treated differently. From what I understand, the only time that rule is different is when a product is very unique and in high demand, and then its rep can call the shots........but that's rare. Apparently, NVDA was disappointed with the results,or forgot why they went into the deal in the first place..........so they are suing.
In any case, that's my take on the matter. FWIW.
ted |
