Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller package, lower price

Re:Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller packag... by tyingq on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @07:40PM (#15658668)

I used to sell something kind of similar...high cost, niche electronics. We didn't make it easier for hobbyists because they would often want to return the item after playing around. Then we couldn't sell it as a new item. The depreciation hit was significant.

The hobbyists were also a drain on support time, disproportionate to other customers.

Once the market settled, and the devices were closer to commodity prices, and our knowledge base was in better shape, we opened back up to them.

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Re:Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller packag... by johnvanommen on Tuesday November 21, 2017 @12:09PM (#15749423)

Agreed. Right now there's basically an arms race going on in this field.

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Re:Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller packag... by microcolonel on Thursday November 09, 2017 @01:14AM (#15660267)

> they would often want to return the item after playing around

Then don't have a return policy.

> The hobbyists were also a drain on support time

Make them pay for support at a premium.

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Re:Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller packag... by zdkl on Thursday November 09, 2017 @01:30AM (#15660327)

A company practicing your doctrine will get slammed for being user-hostile by everyone on hn and reddit. Probably sued in some countries, too.

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Re:Velodyne’s VLS-128 offers more resolution, smaller packag... by tyingq on Thursday November 09, 2017 @05:42AM (#15661357)

>Then don't have a return policy.

You probably haven't encountered chargebacks as a merchant. "All sales final" only works for cash businesses.

"Not as described" covers a lot of ground for hobbyists struggling to deal with a complex electronics product.

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