Does Sony really need another dollar?

My good friend Bobby created this pdf of a manual for this

$60 Costco Sony CD/Radio/Alarm Clock. I didn't bother exploring how much they charge for a manual. Maybe it's only $5. Maybe I can catch more flies with honey than I can with the vinegar below.

Below is an old exchange arguing they should make this manual available for free:

SonyStyleConsumerTechnicalEscalation wrote:
Brett,

Thank you for contacting SONY Online Support.

Customer input and response is invaluable in the continued support and development of our products. We want you to know that we appreciate your feedback.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.

The Sony Internet Support Team
Online Support and Services Center
SSDR
Deepashree

This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. They may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachments associated therewith from your computer. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
IT IS LUDICROUS THAT I SPEND $80 ON AN ALARM CLOCK AND
I LATER HAVE TO purchase A MANUAL FOR THAT PART.

Sony is too gargantuan of a company NOT to have this
online. I'm tempted to buy & later return another
clock. I'd take the manual, scan it, and post it
online. Amazon's web page could link to my online
posting of WHAT SHOULD BE A FREE MANUAL!!! At least
the world will be a better place that way. Anyone
looking for the manual would be able to quickly find
it.

In this case I have spent twenty minutes a) looking
for it, b) emailing Sony, c) getting irratated with
Sony's response, and d) replying to Sony.

You mention 'the opportunity to be of assistance'.
You've used that opportunity to aggravate a customer.
My impression of Sony's techical excellence has
remained the same. I buy Sony because products are
superior. But customer service is more important.

This nickel and dime practice of
1) not posting a manual online
and
2) CHARGING FOR A MANUAL
makes me want to look to other companies for technical
excellence.

Please post online at Sony's website the manual for
the CD853 alarm clock. I am not going to call or look
on Sony's sales site for this part. Anyone who
purchases the manual from you should receive a stern
talking-to from your average consumer advocate
organization.
Thank you for your attention.
-Brett

--- SonyStyleConsumerTechnicalEscalation
wrote:

> Thank you for contacting SONY Online Support.
>
> Regretfully, the manual for the Sony ICF-CD853 is
> not available online. However, to purchase a printed
> manual please contact our Sony Direct Accessory and
> Parts Center (DAPC). They will be able to provide
> you with the correct part number, price, shipping
> and product availability:
>
> Website: http://servicesales.sel.sony.com
> Phone: 800-488-7669
>
> If you are unsuccessful in locating the exact item
> you wish to purchase, or have any other purchase
> questions, please contact the Direct Accessories and
> Parts Center for further assistance:
>
>
>
http://servicesalesqwest.sel.sony.com/web/contact_us.jsp
>
> Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
>
> The Sony Internet Support Team
> Online Support and Services Center
> SSDR
> Deepashree
>
> This message and any attachments are solely for the
> use of intended recipients. They may contain
> privileged and/or confidential information. If you
> are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
> notified that you received this email in error, and
> that any review, dissemination, distribution or
> copying of this email and any attachment is strictly
> prohibited. If you receive this email in error
> please contact the sender and delete the message and
> any attachments associated therewith from your
> computer. Your cooperation in this matter is
> appreciated.
>
> Original Message Follows:
> ------------------------
> The following question has been received:
>
> Email Address
>
---------------------------------------------------------------
> Email Address: applecoreman@yahoo.com
> First Name:
> Last Name:
> Type:
> Title:
>
>
> Reference #040731-000227
>
---------------------------------------------------------------
> Summary: Where can I find a manual for the
> ICF CD853? Google
> searches find the product...
> Product: Home Audio
> Category: Technical/Product Support(Post
> Purchase)
> Date Created: 07/31/2004 08:28 AM
> Last Updated: 07/31/2004 08:28 AM
> Status: Solved
> Incident Type: ASQ
> Disposition: Refer/Escalate to Product Support
> Customer Temp: Neutral
> Escalation Status: Normal
> Escalation Type: Product Support
>
>
> Discussion Thread
>
---------------------------------------------------------------
> Customer - 07/31/2004 08:28 AM
> Where can I find a manual for the ICF CD853? Google
> searches find the product, and Amazon lists the
> manual as an option, but there is no link to a sony
> site.

Maybe that's why I got a free couch

July 26th; Negar and I dine in Mi Piace, and Christina N. gave us one of the best meals I've ever had. The dessert was served on a HUGE plate with our name dripped in milk chocolate. So lovely.

Before the dessert Christina mentioned the impending arrival of a new couch to replace their hand-me-down that didn't fit in their beautifully decorated Pallermo apartment in downtown Pasadena. I love to help people move, so I offered the Tahoe's services.

Not 24 hours later, Sheree's Boeing colleague Hage (sp?) from work took action on his unneeded couch, giving it to my girlfriend.

During a 2-hour lunch on Friday Matt G. & I took a trip to South Central, picked up the couch, delivered it to 22 W. Green St., wrapped it in foil to protect it from Mufasa, and in a 23-second, daring display of deftness and dexterity, dumped the old couch at 757 S. Raymond's waste receptacle.

Why did you tow my car?

I parked in the wrong place. My girlfriend told me where to go, and for some reason, I wasn't paying attention. I parked in Gentleman#49A's spot (310 S. Jefferson) at 5:45pm. At 9:30pm, Sheree and I go for a drive in her car, and I casually looked to where I had parked. No Tahoe :(. 45 minutes and $180 later, I had the car back. I asked nicely for #49A to pay for half. He said no ( I probably would, too).

Here's the deal. If someone parked in my spot for a few hours, I would leave a note on his car. 49A has seen me park in Sheree's spot before, so he could have left a note on Sheree's car. He could have called management. He could have knocked on doors ( I did to find him). No need to call the two company after two short hours.

Before telling him that this would be reported to management, the security company, and Placentia/Anaheim police, I relayed my concern that petty differences often escalate, and I didn't want him to worry about credit reports, or power being shut off, and I didn't want me or my girlfriend to worry about loose lug nuts or damaged automobiles. I was upset, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

Origin of species says
1) I won't park in his spot.
2) He will think next time before calling a tow company.