JT USA "Products by comittee" A really daft thing they've done.
Yes, I'm venting, because this is probably the most daft thing I've seen a company do in a long while. I'm hoping someone from JT sees this, smacks thier head, and says "OH! Why didn't we think of this?" (Then again, they probably won't...)
Some background here. I just bought a Proteus mask for Shatnerball 2 (It's a costume thing, when you see the pictures, you'll understand. It all makes sense.) And I saw on the JT website they have an attachment for it called a "Sports Comm". You plug it into an FRS radio, and you have a hands-free radio. Ok, cool. I want to plug it into the Proteus I already have.
So I called JT in July, and was told that it wasn't 100% done yet. Ok, that's cool. But if I called back in August, I could get it. GREAT!
So today was the day. Well, Wed. was the day, because I called every warehouser I could find in APG and asked them if they had it. (And that's a lot of places, let me tell you...) So, finally, I call JT. I get a guy on the phone, and I get told this :
The "Sports Comm" is not available as a seperate unit. You can only purchase it pre-atteched to a goggle system. So if I wanted one, I would have to spend upwards of $130 to get it.
"But I just bought one!" I tell the guy. "Can't I just buy the earpiece and microphone?"
"Sorry. The only way you can get it is to buy a whole mask." Now they make another 'bolt on' style, which fits on every goggle they make EXCEPT the Proteus.
Now this is upsetting to me, because in MY mind it would make sense to offer the bit as an after-market add-on piece. I can see how to take the current ear-cup out without damaging the mask, and clamp in this com unit. But, no, I would need to purchase a whole NEW goggle to get the $25 piece I want.
On one hand, I can see it as a "factory install" issue. On the other, I see it as a money-grubbing way to soak me for money I don't have. I mean, wouldn't it make sense to sell it as aftermarket? I was ready to buy it, but I am not ready to plunk down another $130 for a second mask. And even then, they don't offer it in the color I need for Shatnerball.
IT just bugs me. Now I'm gonna go to Radio Shack, and see if I can find something there to work. I want a hands-free radio that won't press into my skull when I'm playing big games, and I don't want to spend a Jackson and a Benjamin to do it! If I can't get it those ways, I'll just do paintball the old fashoned way. Scream to the other guys on my team "MOVE UP!!!!!"
JT : Guys? I know you're in the buisness to make money, but come on. Can't someone on the 'new products' committee see that a lot of us have old products that wouldn't mind being upgraded? I mean, it's like buying new goggle systems every time you need a new lens! All I want is the radio headset, why can't I just buy that?
There. I said it. I feel better.
-Tyger
Some background here. I just bought a Proteus mask for Shatnerball 2 (It's a costume thing, when you see the pictures, you'll understand. It all makes sense.) And I saw on the JT website they have an attachment for it called a "Sports Comm". You plug it into an FRS radio, and you have a hands-free radio. Ok, cool. I want to plug it into the Proteus I already have.
So I called JT in July, and was told that it wasn't 100% done yet. Ok, that's cool. But if I called back in August, I could get it. GREAT!
So today was the day. Well, Wed. was the day, because I called every warehouser I could find in APG and asked them if they had it. (And that's a lot of places, let me tell you...) So, finally, I call JT. I get a guy on the phone, and I get told this :
The "Sports Comm" is not available as a seperate unit. You can only purchase it pre-atteched to a goggle system. So if I wanted one, I would have to spend upwards of $130 to get it.
"But I just bought one!" I tell the guy. "Can't I just buy the earpiece and microphone?"
"Sorry. The only way you can get it is to buy a whole mask." Now they make another 'bolt on' style, which fits on every goggle they make EXCEPT the Proteus.
Now this is upsetting to me, because in MY mind it would make sense to offer the bit as an after-market add-on piece. I can see how to take the current ear-cup out without damaging the mask, and clamp in this com unit. But, no, I would need to purchase a whole NEW goggle to get the $25 piece I want.
On one hand, I can see it as a "factory install" issue. On the other, I see it as a money-grubbing way to soak me for money I don't have. I mean, wouldn't it make sense to sell it as aftermarket? I was ready to buy it, but I am not ready to plunk down another $130 for a second mask. And even then, they don't offer it in the color I need for Shatnerball.
IT just bugs me. Now I'm gonna go to Radio Shack, and see if I can find something there to work. I want a hands-free radio that won't press into my skull when I'm playing big games, and I don't want to spend a Jackson and a Benjamin to do it! If I can't get it those ways, I'll just do paintball the old fashoned way. Scream to the other guys on my team "MOVE UP!!!!!"
JT : Guys? I know you're in the buisness to make money, but come on. Can't someone on the 'new products' committee see that a lot of us have old products that wouldn't mind being upgraded? I mean, it's like buying new goggle systems every time you need a new lens! All I want is the radio headset, why can't I just buy that?
There. I said it. I feel better.
-Tyger
Comment