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Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JJB who wrote (5785)	5/23/1999 9:51:00 PM
From: Ausdauer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

JJB, Ron and Thread, You could actually do many things other than putting a private label CF card into the box that would lead people to SanDisk in the aftermarket. A free PCMCIA adapter with a SanDisk logo, a colorful red-and-white-and-yellow discount certificate on a SanDisk ImageMate (that the consumer is going to buy anyway, but why let that have the chance to buy an ActionTec or Lexar product?), a free black synthetic leather or impact resistant plastic CompactFlash card carrying case (similar to the plastic cases for Nintendo Gameboy memory cards) sporting an impressive red-and-white-and-yellow SanDisk emblem (and leave two or three open slots so that the consumer knows they have room for extra cards), or a free FAQ manual on CompactFlash or digital photography with a bright red-and-white-and-yellow SanDisk emblem emblazoned on the front. How about giving away a coupon for 5 MB on a hosted web site for people to publish their own photo albums for family and friends at no cost. And then putting a faxback customer service or FAQ page or sponsored photo contest on it??? I think that if the OEM's are going to bury the SanDisk label and just leave a tiny SNDK copyright insignia on the "B-side" that they could let SNDK get a little plug in inside the box. AND THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD MENTION THEIR FAITH IN SNDK QUALITY WITH A LITTLE PLUG IN THE CAMERA'S INSTRUCTION MANUAL!!! Tiny print that you need to read with a microscope on the "B-side" of the CF card just ain't cutting it. If Simple Technology (and others) can swing this type of endorsement, why can't SanDisk??? Ausdauer

To: JJB who wrote (5785)	5/24/1999 11:22:00 AM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

JJB, You stated... As Sandisk OEM's I believe Kodak, Nikon, Canon, and others it would be nice to see more market tie-ins at the point of purchase. As the top names concentrate on developing cameras I don't think they are going to be looking for after market sales for their own brand CF. This would seem to be a logical conclusion, although it has not played out that way. Again, I feel the current relationships with the Kodaks and Nikons and Canons of the World are hugely important for SanDisk. It is difficult to put a price tag on this. But there appears to be reluctance on the part of these powerful OEM's to allow SanDisk to leverage these agreements. Thus, there are inherent limitations to the endorsement itself. I can also understand that SanDisk does not wish to be overly competitive with retail channels such as BestBuy or to outprice OEM private label sales such as the Kodak Picture Card. I trust that SNDK has not been painted into a corner on this important issue and that there is room for brand name plugs that do not necessarily result in a direct sale of a SanDisk branded CF card such as promotional vehicles we have mentioned here recently. Also, I would be content purchasing a Nikon labelled card or a Kodak Picture Card if it was reasonably priced, conveniently obtained and resulted in a financial benefit to SNDK similar to a retail channel or on-line purchase. Ausdauer ($31 1/2)

To: JJB who wrote (5785)	5/24/1999 4:03:00 PM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

JJB, I thought I would post this link again for those with palm or handheld devices. There are separate promotions on the Microsoft site for both devices which include Microsoft's Expedia Streets and Trips and a 8 MB Kingston CF card. microsoft.com There is also a resource page for Windows CE accessories. Seems like Microsoft charges money to get onto their preferred vendor list on the Windows CE site as I could only locate links for Kingston, Pretec and MagicRAM, as well as Socket Communications when cross referencing flash memory or CF. windowsce.resourceguide.net There may be other information there, but I could not find it. I suspect that Microsoft milks smaller vendors (until they start squirming and writhing in pain) in order to gain entrance to the reference guide as a preferred supplier. That is probably why you find no reference to SanDisk there. They didn't bite at the sticker price. BTW, if any of you qualify for the promo there are separate applications for Handheld and Palmtop devices. See links on the right side of the page. Ausdauer ($29 and change)

To: JJB who wrote (5785)	5/28/1999 8:46:00 AM
From: Ausdauer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

JJB and Thread, I almost cried when I opened the box for my NEC MobilePro 770 last night and sifted through the promotions inside. ¤ The section on CF in the user's manual has a picture of a 16 MB Lexar card being inserted into the MobilePro. ¤ There is a colorful, glossy 3 x 5 card advertising the Clik! drive for $299.95. ¤There is a colorful, glossy 7.5 x 11 page sponsored by NEC with a picture of the MobilePro (and the NEC logo at the bottom of the page) offering a 16 MB CF card for $99.00. The color photo includes a picture of a 16 MB Lexar card being inserted into the device. ¤ There is a colorful PC Companion guide presumably from Microsoft with advertisements from various CF vendors including TDK, Socket Communications, Magic RAM, Pretec, Kingston. There is also an ad for Clik! from Iomega. Seems like these manufacturers have greased Microsoft's palms as these are the same vendors on the Official Microsoft Windows CE website. ¤ SanDisk is absent from any advertising or instructional manuals in the box. ¤ No CF card came with the device. I bought a 48 MB SanDisk CF card. ¤ I am waiting for the 8 MB Kingston card that comes with the Windows CE promotion I mentioned recently. Ausdauer