hey everyone
You know, I didn't even know anything about this whole brouhaha until ten minutes ago when I noticed this thread for the first time. I'm certainly not in the market for any of this supposed ritzy limited edition stuff, and I'm already unfavorably disposed towards Mares after what they did with Dacor. But reading through this saga, to me, it kind of epitomizes this rotten dance that marketing types and consumers are constantly locked in, and the Mares/Dacor Two-Step in particular. Personally I always thought their products were more style than substance; well, Dacor more than Mares, but just because I didn't know anything about Mares, but now since they're the same company...
At any rate: the build up, the oohs and aaahs and Only-Two-More-Days-Until-The-Big-Unveiling-I'm-So-Excited!!!!'s, and the inevitable sinking feeling in the collective gut turning to vengeful wrath...I dunno, but personally, and please don't flame me, I'm juuuust a little bit amused. I'm awfully sorry, I mean, that your high hopes got dashed, I'd be pissed too, but the prerelease hysteria you guys expressed in this thread at times did seem a little, I dunno, unbecoming of serious, experienced divers. More like giddy preteens waiting for the newest Playstation variant. And the trust in the marketing--This Will Change Everything. Not.
This kind of thing is a perfect example of why I think marketing people and the big arrogant corporations who employ them are swine, and why I for one refuse to buy in to the whole image/pricetag-conscious aspect of our sport. A personalized reg?? For $700+?? You have got to be joking. Kinda like those limited edition Leica M-series cameras that come in a polished oak display case or whatever, and cost like $5000...
You know, there's something to be said for not watching TV or reading magazines, if you know what I mean.
Please accept my apologies if I seem like some clueless smartass making wisecracks at your expense, but I had to throw my two cents into this thread. This has all the makings for a bestselling book--suspense, drama, conflict, a little comic relief, underlying message...
cheers
Billy S.