Draytek v120 rip off pricing and censorship

After a reply on an earlier post, I had a quick look at the Draytek forums and found my posts regarding Draytek ripping off UK customers have been deleted.

So they are ripping people off, and then censoring any dissent. That is DISGUSTING.

So, here's my latest forum post for posterity. Lets' see how long it lasts.

http://forum.draytek.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=20365

FYI v120 and Draytek forum censorship

Just a FYI because people should know.

A while back I asked posted a question here (viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19490 - now deleted/censored) as to why their model v120 sold in the UK is NOT the same as the model v120 sold in Australia and New Zealand, and quite possibly Germany too.

The UK model is just a basic barebones ADSL modem.

The version sold elsewhere is actually a proper router - similar to say a 2820, but with just a single network port. All the router functionality is there.

But the better quality one sold in the rest of the world seems to be sold for the same price or cheaper than the basic, barebones, UK model.

So the UK model is seriously inferior hardware and a higher price. Draytek eventually admitted as such. And yet they still continue with their policy of profiteering in the UK. (I can't say 'rip off' as they got unhappy about it before). You figure it out.

As pointed out above, I had written about this topic before, but the post was deleted. One thing I really hate is censorship. If they don't like people criticising their unjustifiable sales policies then they should change the policy, not try and shut up the dissenters.

Fortunately I kept the link on my blog page and there it will remain for posterity and to demonstrate how companies are making fools of UK purchasers every day and then trying to cover their tracks. I'll add this post as well and lets see how long before it is 'censored' and removed. This time I will add the this text to the blog post as well.

http://computers-linux-other-nonsense.blogspot.com.es/2014/07/draytek-vigor-120-modemrouter-uk-rip-off.html

Enjoy.

Draytek Vigor 120 UK and international differences

Well, my goat is got.

Draytek are ripping off UK customers BIG time.

In my earlier post I noted that I discovered that not all Draytek models are equal.

Particularly the Vigor 120. The UK version is basically just a dumb modem. Holds the line and passes everything to whatever is behind it.

But the New Zealand (and Australian, and possibly others) are a massively more powerful device - they are effectively a cut down 2820/2830 with just 1 x WAN and 1 x LAN port. But a full blown router. Nice bit of kit.......

Lets have a look at the manuals and compare the details.

UK model :

Here is the UK Vigor 120 manual :

http://www.reetspetit.com/Dox/QS-Vigor120-V1_3U.pdf


Typical cost :

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/7898-draytek-v120/

Price : GBP 56 inc VAT and shipping



NZD Model :

Here is the New Zealand Vigor 120 manual :

http://www.reetspetit.com/Dox/UG-Vigor120-V1.3.pdf


And a typical price :

http://nicegear.co.nz/routers/draytek-vigor-120-adsl2-modemrouter-with-bridge/

Price : NZD 97 in Tax & shipping


Current rate GBP - NZD : 1.98



So I can buy an infinitely superior piece of kit in NZ for the same price as a dumb modem in the UK.

The first question is why ? I know that a lot of companies think that the UK is low hanging fruit with rich pickings. I know that there are lots of rip offs with pricing in the UK. So my guess is that is the simple answer - because they can.

The second is what else are they doing it on ?

 I have written and complained after they removed two posts on their forums as they didn't like my 'tone' i.e. telling people they are being ripped off.  They have admitted that the models are different. I have asked for an official response and will post it here if I get it.

Either way, I always rated Draytek pretty highly for both equipment and support. I have used and recommended little else for a long time, and have an awful lot of their gear. I'm afraid to say that those days are behind me now.

Yes, the kit is pretty good for the price, but the company behind it have dropped their standards massively as they have grown. Times change. Things move on. I am going to vote with my feet.

 I have written and complained after they removed two posts on their forums as they didn't like my 'tone' i.e. telling people they are being ripped off.  They have admitted that the models are different. I have asked for an official response and will post it here if I get it.