If $5 worth of parts could provide $1,000/year in income (as in your example), I'd say that before everyone gave up their jobs to be in the 'black box' business, the price of those parts would go up to $20,000. If I had a supply of those parts, I sure wouldn't want to sell them - no one could service my Corvette.
I find it hard to believe that Dell can continually do what they do on so little but not because they're not so smart, but because others are not so stupid. Dell has created $100 stock for $2 of book value. So with no restrictions to fair trade, I can gain of 50 to 1 for doing things the way Dell does. Anyone could. Dell doesn't want to give away their expertise but someone will find a way. After all, 50 to 1 payoff. Dell has the trademarks but they can't restrict fair trade. What keeps the stock up? I only ask that because I don't think everyone could do it the way Dell does and make the same profit. Of course, profit margins would decline.
Dell's not losing market share. Computer sales are drying up though. How are we going to appeal to a larger market segment to sustain 30-50% per year growth? The market is looking for a company that sustains Dell's growth rate. Just the growth rate. That's why they're here in the first place.
Now if the 'black box' were counterfeit plates, I think the secret to success would be a bit safer. We're all looking for something. Right now there's a search for comparative advantage and maybe we've found it. Why a p/bv of 50 when a lot of companies are sportinga p/bv of 1? There's an old saying, 'People who don't know how to climb down mountains, shouldn't be at the top'.
WH
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