When Engineers Go Wild: TWO Updates from PPCTechs!

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpctechs.com/default.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpctechs.com/default.asp</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040316_ppctechs.jpg" /> <br /><br />PPCTechs has announced new repair services and an enhancement to their WriteSHIELD line of screen protectors.<br /><br />"We are now providing Touchscreen repairs for the <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/Services.asp?cat=rep&amp;type=SX56">AT&amp;T SX56</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/Services.asp?cat=rep&amp;type=xda">O2 XDA</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/Services.asp?cat=rep&amp;type=TMOB">T-Mobile PPCPE</a> and <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/Services.asp?cat=rep&amp;type=delx5">Dell Axim X5</a> Series Pocket PCs. Standard cost is $99 + shipping. There is a discount of $20 if a RAM upgrade is done at the same time (applicable units)."<br /><br />The WriteSHIELD line also has a welcome improvement: "Based on customer feedback, we have released a new lower priced 2 pak instead of the 3 paks." <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=WSPDA006-2S">The Standard kit</a> runs $26.99, and includes 2 screen protectors, two Klear Screen Wet Single packs, 3.25" horse-hair brush, three applicator/removal picks, Optical quality MicroFiber cloth and fully illustrated instructions. <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=WSPDA006-2D">The Deluxe kit</a> runs $36.99, and includes all of the above plus an extra MicroFiber Cloth and a 2oz bottle of Klear Screen cleaner.<br /><br />Fortunately I've never had to use PPCTechs to get my LCD replaced, but I DO worship at the altar of their excellent WriteSHIELDS. This enhancement should satisfy those who found the price for three protectors too steep. Don't forget that all <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php">subscribers</a> to this site receive a coupon code for 10% off any RAM upgrade. 8)

[paris]

WriteSHIELDs are aweasome, a pocket pc without one is a joke, every time you try to touch the screen you leave marks and dust and things all over it but with the WriteSHIELDs i only need to clean the screen every month or so and it feels and looks far better than without one.

[ctmagnus]

Sweet! Something I would like to see, though, is just the cleaning stuff (horse-hair brush, Optical quality MicroFiber cloth, maybe the Klear Screen Wet Single packs and bottle of Klear Screen cleaner, maybe maybe applicator/removal picks). Every week or so I clean off my screen protector, just for kicks. :mrgreen: I've been using the same WriteShield for seven and a half months now and it looks only slightly worn.

[PetiteFlower]

Wasn't the 3 pack $30? That's what I remember paying, not including shipping. So wouldn't this be effectively making the Shields MORE expensive per piece then before? They were $10 each and now they're $13.50. I love my WriteShields, they're a great product, if a little expensive, still worth paying for, but this seems a little sneaky to me. Unless I'm remembering the price wrong.

[topps]

Wasn't the 3 pack $30? That's what I remember paying, not including shipping. So wouldn't this be effectively making the Shields MORE expensive per piece then before? They were $10 each and now they're $13.50. I love my WriteShields, they're a great product, if a little expensive, still worth paying for, but this seems a little sneaky to me. Unless I'm remembering the price wrong.

Neat way to disguise a price hike. However, I agree - they are worth paying for. They last so much longer than anything else and have a much better surface for writing on.

[WyattEarp]

Wasn't the 3 pack $30? That's what I remember paying, not including shipping. So wouldn't this be effectively making the Shields MORE expensive per piece then before? They were $10 each and now they're $13.50. I love my WriteShields, they're a great product, if a little expensive, still worth paying for, but this seems a little sneaky to me. Unless I'm remembering the price wrong.

From what I last saw the price for the Deluxe kit was $39.99 that included:
- 3 WriteSHIELDS
- 4 Klear screen wet paks
- 6 applicator/removal picks
- 2 Optical MicroFiber cloths
- 1 8oz. bottle of Klear Screen

So actually it is a price drop because you are now getting less. I personally would have preferred the extra screen protector, but that's me. I don't see the great need for a horse hair brush. So my question is where is the enhancement?

[Talldog]

So actually it is a price drop...
It all boils down to how you define "price drop". The bottom line is that they removed one screen protector (previously worth $10) and added a brush to each kit, and dropped the price by $3. Somehow, I doubt that the brush is worth $7. Yeah, it's a price increase, and not an insignificant one. As others have noted, these are outstanding protectors, and I will continue to buy them, but it annoys me that they think they can spin a fairly major price hike as a price cut, and nobody will notice. Just another example of how marketers think we're all idiots.

[gvanjr]

It would be great if the system board issue with the Axim was resolved, I'd love additional memory!

[LWesson]

Sweet! Something I would like to see, though, is just the cleaning stuff (horse-hair brush, Optical quality MicroFiber cloth, maybe the Klear Screen Wet Single packs and bottle of Klear Screen cleaner, maybe maybe applicator/removal picks). Every week or so I clean off my screen protector, just for kicks. :mrgreen: I've been using the same WriteShield for seven and a half months now and it looks only slightly worn.

So just the accessories as a kit? Anything else you would like in it?

[LWesson]

So actually it is a price drop...
It all boils down to how you define "price drop". The bottom line is that they removed one screen protector (previously worth $10) and added a brush to each kit, and dropped the price by $3. Somehow, I doubt that the brush is worth $7. Yeah, it's a price increase, and not an insignificant one. As others have noted, these are outstanding protectors, and I will continue to buy them, but it annoys me that they think they can spin a fairly major price hike as a price cut, and nobody will notice. Just another example of how marketers think we're all idiots.

No, we don't think our customers are idiots. There are obvious cost savings when multiple products are bundled together. The price per piece for a single pak is going to be higher than a 2 pak which is higher than a 3 pak, etc. So it's a catch-22 situation, so we tried to pick an appropriate price point.

We got many, many requests for a 2 pak, so we finally released it and decided to 'enhance' it a little. One enhancement is the additional of the brush. Based on feedback, we found that customers sometimes had trouble with debris getting caught underneath the LCD bezel, which would cling to the WS during installation. The brush can also be used for cleaning around the buttons, speaker, etc. We did have to have the brush custom made to get the size and bristle length that was needed.

Secondly, the instructions have been rewritten to include some new techniques and tips we've picked up along the way.

[PetiteFlower]

Do you still have the "basic" kit available? That's probably why I paid less, I didn't get the deluxe version.

If the Deluxe with 3 was $40, then 2 for $27 isn't that much of an increase, only about 20 cents. Not as bad as I thought :)

[LWesson]

Do you still have the "basic" kit available? That's probably why I paid less, I didn't get the deluxe version.


Yes, we have a standard and deluxe version available.

[ctmagnus]

Sweet! Something I would like to see, though, is just the cleaning stuff (horse-hair brush, Optical quality MicroFiber cloth, maybe the Klear Screen Wet Single packs and bottle of Klear Screen cleaner, maybe maybe applicator/removal picks). Every week or so I clean off my screen protector, just for kicks. :mrgreen: I've been using the same WriteShield for seven and a half months now and it looks only slightly worn.

So just the accessories as a kit? Anything else you would like in it?

Not that I can think of at the moment.

[Kati Compton]

Just wanted to say I love the title. ;)

[Mexico]

I finally ordered a 2-pack of WriteShields, and I LOVE THEM!!! Anywho, I didn't enter a Pocket PC Thoughts discount code since this purchase wasn't an upgrade, and they still gave me the discount (I guess they keep a database of PPCT subscribers).

There's more: I selected normal shipping, and they shipped them via FedEx Express Saver, which was supposed to be 3 or 4 dollars more expensive.

Nice, huh!?!

I'm putting the second shield on my girlfriend's PPC. She doesn't tap the screen, she STABS IT, so one of these will be definitely better than the Fellowes one she has now. I also have a Tablet PC, and as soon as they drop the price for the Tablet PC shields (hint hint) I'll purchase one of those too. :D

M

[WyattEarp]

WRITEShields are great and last a really long time. I am on my second one only because my previous PPC was lost and that one was never changed. A little cleaning every now and then and all's well. What I would really like to see is a choice between 1, 2 or 3 WRITEShield kits with the brush, instead of trading one for the other.