Netbook Scoop

When things go awry, you do your best to get back on track and achieve your objective.  But sometimes, the harder you try, the worse things get.  At then there are those times, when things get so messed up, that you just have to stop, laugh at the situation and then roll with it.

And we are at the point with our May 2009 Netbook Giveaway.

It sounded so simple.  Our plan?  Tell our readers we will give away a netbook at the end of May.  Ask them which one they want.  Order it.  Play with it for a short time.  Publish a review.  Select a winner.  Ship the netbook to them.

In the beginning everything went per plan.  We announced the giveaway.  You selected the Asus Eee PC 1000HE.  The Blue model.  We ordered it.  We unboxed it.

Then things began to go south.

We put the 1000HE on the charger overnight.  When we powered it up the next morning, the display was goofed up.  It appeared in low resolution with funky psychedelic colors.

No problem.  Just get it exchanged.  But after a number of calls and emails, it became obvious that we would not have a replacement before the end of the month.

So, if we were going to keep our commitment to give away a netbook at the end of May, we needed a Plan B.

My solution: up the ante!  By the third week of May, the 1000HE was no longer the most popular model of the Eee PC.  The 1008HA was now the hot item.  So let’s switch the prize!

This brainstorm occurred to me in the middle of a three-day out-of-town seminar.  During the next break, I popped open my netbook and placed the order with the first merchant who showed it in stock.  I processed the order in less than 60 seconds.  I was proud of my snap decision-making and fast execution.

The following morning, I searched my email for the ship confirmation.  There was none.  A quick trip to the merchant’s site showed that there stock was gone and my order was on hold awaiting their next delivery from Asus.

Earlier today, I looked at placing the order elsewhere and having it shipped overnight, Saturday delivery.  After recovering from the sticker shock, I looked at Monday delivery instead. Still ridiculously expensive.  OK, how about regular delivery?  Oh, if we don’t choose expedited delivery, it won’t ship until next week?  Then never mind.  Our original order is supposed to ship by then.

So after stepping back, taking a deep breath and taking some time to find some dark humor in all this, I had a good laugh.  OK.  It’s time to give in and roll with it.

So this is where we are:

The delivery of our Asus Eee PC 1008HA has been delayed.  We will keep enrolment open until it arrives.  At that time, we will close the entry process and select a winner.

I still feel bad that we didn’t perform to our original plan.  But sometimes life has other plans.

Update 6/3/09:  The delivery of the White model was delayed again, so we accepted a Black model as a substitute.  It is in transit.  Deadline for entries is Friday, 6/5, at midnight.  Drawing (random) over weekend.  Winner announce on Monday.