It is true that 'supply and demand' comes into play with most consumer
products in any marketplace:  When a product is in high volume demand, more
will
be sold so more must be supplied (made).      When fewer of a product are in
demand, fewer are sold (and made).     IF production costs of the product are
the same for either demand, the costs to produce fewer would (obviously) result
in a greater cost per item than when more are produced.    
    Regarding the VIP-K (1000, 2000 & 3000) tissue processors, we might want to
bear in mind that none of these units were manufactured after 1992.  So the
youngest of these units will be over seven years-old.       Certainly, we all
have our own opinions about designs and features based on our individual life
and academic experiences.                      I have not paid attention to the
current US/Canadian dollar exchange rate.       I do not know with whom you
(John) had contact, but I believe Somagen (403/437-5842) is your source for
Tissue-Tek products (and parts) and would be the group to contact for the
possibility of any creative pricing if available.  

If I can be of any additional assistance, please feel free to contact me as
well.

Best Regards,

Nancy
  

Nancy Klemme, HT(ASCP)
Customer/Product Support Mgr.
Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.
1750  West 214th Street
Torrance, CA  90501

Web Page = www.sakuraus.com 
e-mail = nancy.klemme@sakuraus.com
Phone = 800/725-8723




____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject:    Re: VIP Processor
Author: "Sarah Christo" <schristo@cvm.tamu.edu>
Date:       3/24/99 2:06 PM

From: Sarah Christo
Date: Wed, Mar 24, 1999 2:06 PM
Subject: Re: VIP Processor
To: HistoNet; jsmallwood
Dear John,
   I've run across these high prices before for parts for a tissue processor
and I think the price is high because they sell so few of them (such a small
market) and they have to recoup the cost of R&D.  Maybe some of our vendors may

want to give us some input on this.  I could be wrong, I often am.  -Sarah

>>> John Smallwood <jsmallwood@golden.net> 03/23 10:09 PM >>>
     Anyone have any experience with retort chamber stress fractures in the
Tissue Tek VIP processor ?   Our machine, a VIP 1000 , is approx. 10 years
old. At the back in each corner are hairline cracks.   This is enough
leakage to cause machine to time out on pump in and pump out cycle.   Our
hospital engineer suggests this is a design flaw, as he has removed the
retort , and there are welded auxiliary plates of alloy at these positions,
underneath the retort.   Anyways , the get lost fee for a new chamber is
$7000.00 , that's right $7000.00 (Cdn.$) .  We have repaired this crackage
with flowed in solder and metallic epoxy. Seems O.K. for now.    Anyone else
experience this price distortion for a VIP part ?
John Smallwood,
St. Thomas-Elgin  Gen. Hospital,
St. Thomas, Ont.
Canada.








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Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 16:06:45 -0600
From: Sarah Christo <schristo@cvm.tamu.edu>
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