Dilemma – Buy Now or Wait?

[BobC]

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an HT in person for the first time at a book signing by Steve Kemper for his Code Name Ginger book. He had an i model with him, and I was fascinated. Bought the book, rode the HT. Instant Obsession! Since then, I’ve read everything I can about the HT. I started this journey too late to participate in the Chicago event, but I followed it on the Web. Lot’s of great pictures! I received my Segway Secrets book by Peter iNova in the mail yesterday. Nothing will substitute for the real thing, however.

I was looking at the LLC site a few nights ago and saw with my own eyes the “quickly-yanked” pages for the p and i models. I even used the on-line Decision Helper they had posted there to help one decide between the p and i model (I need an i). I thought it was an omen that the price had dropped to $4495! Then, as quickly as that, poof! It was gone.

It seems clear to me that the web pages that were pulled are associated with the nationwide introduction of sales of the p model. There was as much about the p model there as there is currently for the i model. Since the p model has been available from one distributor, I believe the national release must soon follow.

Therein lies the dilemma. Buy now, or wait? By purchasing now, it’s a sure thing. I can start enjoying this as much as the others on the forum are enjoying theirs. But to wait? Save several hundred dollars; possible improved battery technology and performance (I read some teasers from the SegwayFest); who knows what else?

How much is delayed gratification worth?

I know there is no answer to my question. I’ll eventually join the community with my own HT, it’s just a matter of when. My wife thinks I’m crazy. I’m beginning to wonder myself.

[mzokc]

Bob, you are not going to have to wait long for those web pages to appear. Considering the updates to the Amazon web site, it should take awhile for the pages to be updated. Maybe they are planning another Good Morning America introduction. Imagine our wait last November until March! The best suggestion I can give is to list all the places you will use the Segway, the fun you will enjoy, and put careful thought into what model to purchase. I love my "i" series and would prefer it where the terrain is rough. Don't consider it a wait, but rather more time to enjoy thinking about using the HT before purchase.

As far as battery technology, the "i" series should get newer batteries before the "p" series, but it doesn't matter when, because you can be enjoying the Segway HT now and get new batteries when they are on the market. I didn't get any indications of that occurring any time soon, so don't wait for new batteries unless you cannot glide to your destination without them.

Enjoy the discussions on Segway Chat!

Mark

PS: I saw the other thread! Glad you found the lower price and are going for it now! Good searching!

[wayne]

BobC,

Technology is always changing.
Go on and purchase one now.
A year from now you may still have the same problem of waiting or not.
Get an "I" now and later get your wife a "P".

Peters book has about everything in it you would want to know.
You already have a head start on a lot of us. When we purchased ours there was very little information out there.


Seg-On

[statmed]

Bob;

I think a short wait may save you a few hundred dollars.

A few months ago LLC had their Fathers Day special with free shipping, free lock and free bag. That special was worth about 250 dollars.

I too saw the quickly yanked web page and if it was me, I would wait and see if the price drops. The P has been promised for a while now so if this price drop is in association with the introduction of the P, then I don't think your wait will be too long.



H.M. Stern
statmed@optonline.net

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together (Hannibal Smith)

[Brooster]

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum.

It's my understanding that the pages you saw were posted inadvertently, and pulled down because the company is not quite ready to go with the p-Series launch. But we should see something announced relatively soon, and certainly by the end of the year. As far as the price information is concerned, I don't know if what was posted is accurate, but it will be made officially available along with the release.

As far as new battery technology goes, I think that's still a way off, so I wouldn't wait for that.

It's hard to tell you whether to buy one now or hold off ... what I can say for sure is that it's a wonderful machine, and you'll really enjoy it!



Brooster

[kalou]

Bob,
I am in the exact same frame of mind as I was ready to post myself with a title " What are you waiting for?" to find out how many people like us are SO ready to purchase but just waiting for a little incentive.

One other reason for my hesitation in purchasing now (besides potential imminent discount and upcoming improvements) is knowing that I will be the first in my community to own one and therefore having to deal with the sidewalk acceptance/Police.
If I knew there were a couple other people ready to purchase as well in St. Pete FL., it would be a good incentive for me.
It won't be long, I know I am getting one soon.

kalou

[statmed]

quote:Originally posted by kalou

One other reason for my hesitation in purchasing now (besides potential imminent discount and upcoming improvements) is knowing that I will be the first in my community to own one and therefore having to deal with the sidewalk acceptance/Police.
If I knew there were a couple other people ready to purchase as well in St. Pete FL., it would be a good incentive for me.
It won't be long, I know I am getting one soon.

Don't let being the only one in your community stop you from getting one. I find the Police are no problem and extremely positive about my use of the Segway, even on the sidewalks. I'm the only owner that I know of in the Bronx and even when I'm in NYC (where there are a few owners), there is a flood of interest about the Segway. So even if there was a few Segways in your community, it would make no difference. Ride responsibly on the sidewalk and you won't have a problem. But I can guarantee, you'll enjoy every second of the experience.

H.M. Stern
statmed@optonline.net

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together (Hannibal Smith)

[defenbaugh]

Bob, waiting means you're missing the fun now. My wife thought and thinks I'm crazy. I forget the feelings of my wife when I glide with my arms spread like the female star of Titanic. There's nothing like the feeling. Get the I if you will use it outdoors and need the larger wheels. Get the P if you will use it on smooth surfaces as inside.

Follow your bliss,[^]
Ron

http://www.defenbaugh.org/Segway/segway_ht.htm

[larryKay]

Do it and be the first !!! I was the first in my community, a suburb of NYC. I love it and so do the locals .. I use it to commute to NYC and it is the same there. There are so few Segways around, so I am the only Segger that people see. Forget what you hear about Police issues. The cops in NYC love it. I never get hassled. I have given them demos.... Go for it now ! a few hundred dollars should not make the difference...................

Larry

[q]

plz, get-it-now!
you're torturing
yourself, other-
wise.

kthxbye.

q.

http://www.pcisys.net/~qwhew/segway/jpg_segway_sfest_08312003_sunday_3a.jpg

//

[BenBethel]

I just read that Segway officials confirmed that the P series was a "few weeks away" from a link to one of the recent news stories on this site. When that happens I imagine that the i series will drop $500 and the p series will be ??? $3495 ???. Too bad they can't avoid charging sales taxes! That's the real stinker! Perhaps they'll have these prices when the p series is announced, another $250 drop right at Thanksgiving, and another $250 drop just after Christmas?

It'd be nice to see the i series at $2995 by next Christmas and the p series at $1995 around the same time. I think this could be done, especially if they start making a lot of money on parts and accessories and customizations and repairs and service. Perhaps that's where the real money lies?

Just wait a few weeks. You won't regret it though!

www.benbethel.com

[BenBethel]

Oh, another suggestion - if you want, buy one now, use your AMEX Gold or other credit card with price protection... if a price drop occurs in the first 30 or 60 days (i forget which), they'll gladly knock off the difference. Just one of those features most people never take advantage of. So, sure, get it now. Besides, with AMEX Gold and Amex Rewards points at 4 per dollar, you'll get over 20,000 miles, enough for a free trip anywhere in the US! That's worth at least a couple hundred there.

Ben

www.benbethel.com

[Cruzan Glider]

Buy now and dont worry about what might possibly happen in the future. A possible $500 savings when spread out over a 20+ year life expectancy of the Segway is insignificant. And everyday you wait to buy your seg is a day you will never get back, one less gliding day in your life.

[ElectraGlide]

quote:Originally posted by X-man


My kids may have received a larger inheritance when I pass on but do I care?

The Lone Glider! :)

Dad....Dont forget your long lost son down here in Boca Raton !

Steve

[BobC]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I really appreciate the community that I've so recently discovered here on SegwayChat. My dilemma is solved, and I brought home a new "i" model tonight! Can't wait for the 12 hour charge time to pass.

[Brooster]

Cheers Bob ... welcome to our little band of energy "conservators." You'll love your Segway HT more and more as time goes on.

Brooster

[jrmiller]

Welcome to the 'family" You are now an ambassadore for the HT whether you like it or not. You'll love it . I expect that you will get about 25 to 30 questions per mile when you are Segging. Enjoy the Ambassadorship and Seg-on Seg-right :>) JR