4 ms·

I don't see anything overtly wrong in that thread. If anything I see HN readers behaving badly by taking advantage of someone whose English isn't that great.

by SamAtt 17y ago

I don't see anything overtly wrong in that thread. If anything I see HN readers behaving badly by taking advantage of someone whose English isn't that great. For the most part the things people were attacking him for are things that almost every manufacturer does in China (copying web sites for example). I don't see anything that indicates he's dishonest (and even if I did I'm not sure it would detract given the price)

jacquesm 17y ago
Well, you've been warned. I think there is plenty in that thread that is not above board, but of course you are entitled to your own opinion.
- SamAtt 17y ago
  Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you posted it. I think a big part of me is just thinking "If he's a total crook and I lose the $155 completely it's really not that big of a deal". I mean, he takes Paypal so I don't even have to give my CCard number. But yeah, if the price were higher or if I needed the money more I could see being more weary of this.
  - jacquesm 17y ago
    The fact that for you $155 is not a lot of money is immaterial, there are people here that might be suckered in for who $155 is a lot of dough. Until the guy comes clean and shows that he's able to ship (which means he has at least the funds to buy a number of them, most companies in the far east have a minimum order volume, typical 100 or 200 pieces for devices like these, at some fixed discount, and has a written guarantee that they will be delivered at a certain date) he has no business taking any money at all. And even then, given the history of these threads (there was at least one other one) I'd like some more proof. If you start of by fibbing about your ability to deliver then you will need to overcome that later. Selling fake watches on ebay is one thing, selling hardware like this is a completely different thing. So far, I'm not aware that he did what he said he would do, which is to ship units to blogs for review. I think that would be a major first milestone on the way to large volume shipping. Sending out a couple of review units is peanuts when you do something like this.
  - djb_hackernews 17y ago
    Not to call you out or anything but I am constantly reminded the fact that we live like kings unheard. So many people around the world would get physically emotional over $155. It's definitely not something I, or my bank account, agree with, but I'm sure you aren't alone. Amazing.
scott_s 17y ago
The most important thing I learned is that it's not his device. He's just re-branding a device that other people made. It's also clear he doesn't understand the technology he's selling. It also seems to be true that he was taking paid orders before he actually had a device.
- jws 17y ago
  Anyone find the original device? This one is close, http://szboeye.en.alibaba.com/product/255890895-209487612/5_inch_Mobile_Internet_Device.html http://szboeye.en.alibaba.com/product/255890895-209487612/5_...
  - jacquesm 17y ago
    http://www.smit.com.cn/English/proDetail.asp?InfoId=126&js= http://www.smit.com.cn/English/proDetail.asp?InfoId=126&...
    - aristus 17y ago
      I've been impressed with the Smit and excited someone's selling them, rebranded or no. I'll probably give this guy a shot when my birthday rolls around and report back.
      - jacquesm 17y ago
        That'd be awesome.
        gridspy 17y ago
        Its very entertaining that 'enso' hasn't thought to visit your profile to answer his questions about who you are.
        jacquesm 17y ago
        Agreed, my identity is not exactly a secret. I haven't heard from his lawyers yet though, maybe it's still in the mail somewhere. It's sad though, I think he may have something there but he's going about it completely wrong. He wouldn't even have to rebrand the thing, just sell it as it is, save a bunch of $. After all it's not like smit is going to give him an exclusive deal. And I'm still not sure what the status is on importing that thing with a 3G dongle in to Europe or the US without the required 'seal of approval'. I'm pretty sure that the local variety FCC wants to know that your device has passed inspection, and that operating a device that has not passed inspection is tricky at best and illegal in most places.

by SamAtt 17y ago

jacquesm 17y ago

Well, you've been warned. I think there is plenty in that thread that is not above board, but of course you are entitled to your own opinion.

SamAtt 17y ago
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you posted it. I think a big part of me is just thinking "If he's a total crook and I lose the $155 completely it's really not that big of a deal". I mean, he takes Paypal so I don't even have to give my CCard number. But yeah, if the price were higher or if I needed the money more I could see being more weary of this.
- jacquesm 17y ago
  The fact that for you $155 is not a lot of money is immaterial, there are people here that might be suckered in for who $155 is a lot of dough. Until the guy comes clean and shows that he's able to ship (which means he has at least the funds to buy a number of them, most companies in the far east have a minimum order volume, typical 100 or 200 pieces for devices like these, at some fixed discount, and has a written guarantee that they will be delivered at a certain date) he has no business taking any money at all. And even then, given the history of these threads (there was at least one other one) I'd like some more proof. If you start of by fibbing about your ability to deliver then you will need to overcome that later. Selling fake watches on ebay is one thing, selling hardware like this is a completely different thing. So far, I'm not aware that he did what he said he would do, which is to ship units to blogs for review. I think that would be a major first milestone on the way to large volume shipping. Sending out a couple of review units is peanuts when you do something like this.
- djb_hackernews 17y ago
  Not to call you out or anything but I am constantly reminded the fact that we live like kings unheard. So many people around the world would get physically emotional over $155. It's definitely not something I, or my bank account, agree with, but I'm sure you aren't alone. Amazing.

scott_s 17y ago

The most important thing I learned is that it's not his device. He's just re-branding a device that other people made. It's also clear he doesn't understand the technology he's selling. It also seems to be true that he was taking paid orders before he actually had a device.

jws 17y ago
Anyone find the original device? This one is close, http://szboeye.en.alibaba.com/product/255890895-209487612/5_inch_Mobile_Internet_Device.html http://szboeye.en.alibaba.com/product/255890895-209487612/5_...
- jacquesm 17y ago
  http://www.smit.com.cn/English/proDetail.asp?InfoId=126&js= http://www.smit.com.cn/English/proDetail.asp?InfoId=126&...
  - aristus 17y ago
    I've been impressed with the Smit and excited someone's selling them, rebranded or no. I'll probably give this guy a shot when my birthday rolls around and report back.
    - jacquesm 17y ago
      That'd be awesome.
      - gridspy 17y ago
        Its very entertaining that 'enso' hasn't thought to visit your profile to answer his questions about who you are.
        jacquesm 17y ago
        Agreed, my identity is not exactly a secret. I haven't heard from his lawyers yet though, maybe it's still in the mail somewhere. It's sad though, I think he may have something there but he's going about it completely wrong. He wouldn't even have to rebrand the thing, just sell it as it is, save a bunch of $. After all it's not like smit is going to give him an exclusive deal. And I'm still not sure what the status is on importing that thing with a 3G dongle in to Europe or the US without the required 'seal of approval'. I'm pretty sure that the local variety FCC wants to know that your device has passed inspection, and that operating a device that has not passed inspection is tricky at best and illegal in most places.