Segway Human Transporters Now Available [Archive]

Casey

11-18-2002, 12:12 PM

quote:Amazon.com to Sell First Segway Human Transporters

Monday November 18, 9:06 am ET

Segway Human Transporters Now Available to Consumers Exclusively At Amazon.com On a First Come, First Served Basis

MANCHESTER, N.H. & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2002--Segway LLC and Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN - News) today announced that, for the first time, consumers can now purchase a Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT) exclusively at Amazon.com.

On a first come, first served basis, Segway HTs are now available only at Amazon.com for delivery starting March 2003. This is the one opportunity to order the Segway HT to assure delivery before August 2003. To purchase a Segway Human Transporter, go to www.amazon.com and search for "Segway."

Early Segway purchasers also have the opportunity to win early delivery of their Segway HT before December 25 by entering the Segway HT "Early Delivery Contest."

"Since the Segway HT was introduced nearly a year ago, tens of thousands of people have asked how they can get one," said Dean Kamen, chairman of Segway LLC. "We are happy to tell them that they can order one today!" Segway LLC's decision to partner with Amazon.com "just makes sense," says Kamen. "Who better to bring the first Segway HTs to the public? Amazon.com is the world's largest Internet retailer, trusted by its customers to deliver the hottest, hard-to-find products. This venture with Amazon.com is a great way to reward fans of both our companies."

Effective immediately, Amazon.com customers can order the Segway Human Transporter, priced at $4,950, by placing a $495 deposit. Delivery of the Segway HTs will start in March 2003 and continue through July 2003, on a first come, first served basis. People who order now will also receive a collector's item, hand-numbered print from Segway within days of placing their order.

"Amazon.com has a large group of early-adopter customers who constantly search out cool new products," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. "The Segway Human Transporter is one of the most famous and anticipated product introductions of all time, and we're very fortunate to have been chosen as the exclusive place for consumers to buy the first Segway HTs."

After reserving a Segway HT, purchasers will be eligible to enter the Segway HT "Early Delivery Contest." By following a link in an email sent by Amazon.com after the order is placed, interested customers can enter by describing in 75 words what they like most about the Segway HT. Thirty winners will receive early delivery of their Segway HT before December 25, 2002 and get to experience an insider's view at Segway facilities in New Hampshire.

The Segway HT is the first self-balancing, personal transportation device. The Segway HT uses the same space as a pedestrian and was designed to operate safely on the sidewalk or virtually anywhere a person can walk. The Segway HT will allow people at home and at work to go farther, move more quickly, and increase the amount they can carry. It has a variety of uses such as commuting to work, enjoying the community, running errands, crossing large campuses, or navigating places where a car is unwieldy and impractical.