All, Happy New Year!
Since I'm the troublemaker, I would be remiss if I did not share with the FIRST community my correspondence with NI on this subject.
===== Excerpt of email from me to NI Sales Rep =====
On the subject of discounted cRIOs, does NI have a policy beyond NI's 'Terms and Conditions of Sale' (
http://www.ni.com/pdf/legal/us/termsofsale.pdf) concerning what teams may do with the discounted cRIO after they purchase them? I ask because we work with several teams that did not purchase a discounted cRIO in 2009 and we'd like to purchase the discounted cRIOs for them. BUT, if we do purchase them, they will be used in various ways; some will stay with the teams that received the discount but some will go to other teams that desire more cRIOs (damaged cRIO, practice robots, software & sensor development, other robots not related to FIRST, etc.); none will be resold. Please know that I will share your answer with other FIRST community members unless you request that I do not.
##########
===== Response from NI Sales Rep =====
I forwarded your email to the Marketing Manager
(Stephanie Brierty) in charge of FIRST. She let me know that it is not possible to purchase a discounted cRIO under a teams name when that team will not be using the cRIO. Teams that would like to purchase one extra cRIO per season for their use may do so at a discount.
##########
From a philosophical standpoint, I am very disappointed with NI's ruling; I would fully agree if NI went as far as to request that the discounted cRIOs only be used for education purposes. From a business standpoint, NI has every right to deny the sale. From a good-will standpoint, not good at all; especially when trying to fill the shoes that IFI left behind.
Batteries are fully charged & ready to go for 2010,
Lucien