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.