I agree that if they start bundling the software portion of the APS free in future models then that is cause for a good deal of frustration. However at this point I don't see that as the case. I agree that it is odd that the APS dissapeared from a list of accesories. I will shoot off an email and see what the story is. However there's been no news as of yet to the dealers about the APS being bundled for free.
Julian Mussi
www.spectraflow.com
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=114789\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
You won't be selling very many Z3100s since that is precisely what is being offered by other authorized HP resellers. Specifically, a package deal, including the APS, for the original price of the separate Z3100 without the APS.
On the other hand, I appreciate the acknowledgment of the self-evident -- that HP removed the APS from dozens of web pages as a listed accessory. Not just one or two web pages. HP removed it across the board, on all of the redundant web pages for the Z3100. That is no accident. Of course, it is impossible to sell an accessory for an extravagant $800 that is now offered absolutely for free in the base price of the printer.
Responding to other posts, not Julian's --
I already responded to Roscolo above. I only, note, again, that the APS does result in superior profiles. Whether the difference matters to you is a qualitative and personal judgment. For many, the Easy software is fine. For others, with highly exacting standards, the APS matters. If you want the best possible results from the Z3100, then the APS makes a difference. This thread is discussing those who bought the Z3100 before this package deal was announced by retailers. For everyone else, including Roscolo, you know what your options are. It makes no sense to buy the printer alone, when you can now get it for the same price with the APS, but that is your choice to make.
Harald -- you know better than to base your argument on MSRP. You are quoting the manufacturers list prices off the HP web site. Other posters have cited at least half a dozen retailers selling the Z3100 and APS for the price of the Z3100 alone. And the APS has disappeared as a recommeded accessory. What more evidence do you want?
Harlad, did HP drop prices only 60 days after they introduced the DJ5500? I doubt it.
But if they did, it was wrong then, and it is wrong now.
Since HP doesn't post here, consumers are forced to come to self-evident and obvious conclusions. The prices now charged for the printer and APS, and the fact that the APS is no longer listed as an accessory, is pretty damning evidence. At least I acknowledge and report on the self-evident.
The defenders-of-HP-at-all-costs, and at this point the cost is at least $700-$800 (what you lost by not getting the printer and APS, or what you paid for a separate APS) still haven't justified how it is A-OK for HP to do this only 60 days after they started selling the units in large quantities, and after many on this web site spent hundreds of hours to fix the many problems that first plagued the Z3100 and the APS.
I note for the record that it was my posts that started with DO NOT BUY HP APS that rang the alarm bell on how incredibly dumb it was that the APS can only profile papers 24" in diameter. As a result of those public postings HP is now testing a new version that corrects those problems as confirmed in a separate thread on this site.
I was criticized for those postings as well, by those who argued then, and are arguing now, that you get what you pay for, so stop complaining. (Those who criticize me in that regard must be millionaires with money to burn.)
Please save all of us from those with the "buyer beware" attitude who defend manufacturers from absolutely anything, no matter how egregious it might be.
And this is pretty egregious.
Those in contact with Spain have reported -- on numerous occasions -- that the HP staff who designed the Z3100 are under considerable pressure to fix the problems and restore the reputation of HP. That is not a result of our thinking good thoughts, wasting our time by calling our dealers, or really wasting our time by calling some poorly trained customer service rep who hasn't even seen a Z3100.
No, that is a direct result of the postings on this site. Just as the new version of the APS is a result of many users of the APS agreeing with my original posting that they would not buy the APS until the problems are fixed.
If this impacts the reputation of HP -- as it should -- and impacts sales -- as it should -- HP will take notice.