[Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being takenadvantage of

Fri Dec 21 09:04:14 UTC 2012

this is personal opinion but I was not impressed.  I have purchased from 
them before and if I knew I would not want to return the product I would by 
If I were not sure I would purchase elsewhere.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rich Cavallaro" <richcav1014 at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 11:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being 
takenadvantage of


> Hi all,
> I know Steve said he would post a sample.
> However, I do have this sample.
> This is an audio sample which was posted by someone who called the
> braille super store.
> Danny from the Braille Super store sent him this phone voicemail with
> a sample of the tiny tunes mp3 players text to speech.
> Link is below.
> Rich Cavallaro
> https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1569042/tinytunesdemo.mp3
>
> On 12/20/12, Gabe Vega Via Iphone4S <theblindtech at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Steve, I think we would all like to hear it. Please.
>>
>> Gabe Vega
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> (623) 565-9357
>>
>> On Dec 20, 2012, at 4:38 PM, "Stephen Guerra"
>> <stephen at independentliving.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Gerald, I wil post a sample of the voice and will contact youto hear it
>>>
>>>
>>> Stephen Guerra
>>> Assistive Technology Specialist and Technical Operations
>>> independent living aids, LLC | SOUNDBYTES
>>> 200 Robbins Lane
>>> Jericho, New York 11753-2341
>>> Phone: 800.537.2118
>>> Direct: 516.450.3817
>>> Fax: 516.450.3842
>>> E-mail: stephen at independentliving.com
>>> Check out our 2013 New E-Catalog
>>> Web sites: www.independentliving.com
>>> www.soundbytes.com
>>> 13581ff6-edb8-4fe2-9d8d-9677a6e429d3
>>> Y2:13581ff6-edb8-4fe2-9d8d-9677a6e429d3
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Gerald Levy
>>> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 4:48 PM
>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being
>>> takenadvantage of
>>>
>>>
>>> Here's the problem I have with FutureAids.  When they first announced 
>>> the
>>> availability of the Tiny Tunes MP3 player, they promised to add a link 
>>> on
>>> their web site so that you could hear what the built-in speech sounds
>>> like
>>> before you buy it.  They still haven't added any such link to their web
>>> site, so you have no way of knowing what this player sounds like before
>>> you
>>> buy it.  This would not be a problem if they allowed you to return the
>>> item
>>> if you aren't satisfied, but because they do not accept returns, you are
>>> essentially out $75 if you don't like the way it sounds.  To me, this is
>>> totally unacceptable, and they deserve the criticism they are receiving.
>>> Last year, I bought a cheap talking watch from them, and the battery 
>>> died
>>> after just 8 months.  But, then again, I have had equally bad luck with
>>> talking watches I have purchased from ILA. I also purchased a talking 
>>> pen
>>> watch from FutureAids, but when its batteries died after only 3 months, 
>>> I
>>> was able to easily replace them myself, so at least I did not get stuck.
>>>
>>> Gerald
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Stephen Guerra" <stephen at independentliving.com>
>>> To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'"
>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 2:47 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being
>>> takenadvantage of
>>>
>>>
>>>> To all-
>>>>
>>>> The Tiny Tunes player is exactly what it is, a MP3 player that Talks.
>>>>
>>>> Laz's players are I am sure equally good, and sum might say better,
>>>> but the Braille Bookstore has been operating for many years, and I
>>>> personally have not had any issue with anything I purchased from them.
>>>>
>>>> They do provide detailed descriptions, and as consumers, if you do not
>>>> in this day read the full description, or provided reviews of a
>>>> product, then it is your own fault.
>>>>
>>>> The Braille Bookstore does have a return policy, and its clearly
>>>> stated
>>>> here:
>>>> http://www.braillebookstore.com/view.php?C=Return+Policy
>>>>
>>>> The Braille Bookstore does not offer a warranty on its items outside
>>>> of what the manufacturer provides.
>>>> Other retailers in the industry might, but it is at the choice of the
>>>> retailer to offer a warranty on top of what is provided by the
>>>> manufacturer or not.
>>>>
>>>> This does not mean the products being sold are in poor quality, but on
>>>> the contrary, the braille Bookstore sells quality products.  The head
>>>> of the Braille Bookstore is totally blind, ad takes great effort to
>>>> enhance the product descriptions and insure that no stone is left
>>>> unturned when it comes to product quality assurance.
>>>>
>>>> Most manufacturers offer a warranty, and in the provided instructions,
>>>> the warranty information is clearly spelled out.  Failure by a
>>>> consumer to "Read the manual" is no fault of the retailer.
>>>>
>>>> The Braille Bookstore offers clear remedies to defective merchandise,
>>>> damaged products during shipping, and resolutions for all this and
>>>> more on their site listed above.
>>>>
>>>> Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but before you condemn someone
>>>> and a company who has a well established credible reputation, take 2
>>>> minutes and read all the data about the product and the company before
>>>> you render a verdict.
>>>>
>>>> I personally will enjoy the Tiny Tunes MP3 player, as at best, though
>>>> I enjoy my iPhone, managing music at best is clunky no matter if you
>>>> have sight or not.
>>>>
>>>> If the TTs is not for you, then that is ok.  But would you quickly
>>>> pass judgment about someone who likes the Window Eyes Voice's versus
>>>> the voice offered by JAWS, Sysstem Access, NVDA or other screen reader?
>>>>
>>>> I, welcome choice in the current marketplace, and whether you have a
>>>> RockBox, player from Laz, or Tiny Tunes MP3 player or something else,
>>>> it comes down too what may work for you may not for someone else.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Stephen Guerra
>>>> Assistive Technology Specialist and Technical Operations independent
>>>> living aids, LLC | SOUNDBYTES
>>>> 200 Robbins Lane
>>>> Jericho, New York 11753-2341
>>>> Phone: 800.537.2118
>>>> Direct: 516.450.3817
>>>> Fax: 516.450.3842
>>>> E-mail: stephen at independentliving.com
>>>> Check out our 2013 New E-Catalog
>>>> Web sites: www.independentliving.com
>>>> www.soundbytes.com
>>>> 13581ff6-edb8-4fe2-9d8d-9677a6e429d3
>>>> Y2:13581ff6-edb8-4fe2-9d8d-9677a6e429d3
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf Of Rich Cavallaro
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 8:17 PM
>>>> To: DennisLong; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being taken
>>>> advantage of
>>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> Frankly Gabe, I have to agree with Dennis here.
>>>> The rockbox software and indeed what you pay for from Laz is far
>>>> better than the tiny tunes mp3 players.
>>>> Rockbox plays more file formats, has a better fm radio chip on board
>>>> the sansa line and also has expandable memory.
>>>> True, the tiny tunes has text to speech, but the text to speech is
>>>> horrible.
>>>> Plus, the Braille super store having no return policy on any of its
>>>> products?
>>>> That is just nus.
>>>> I know I will never be investing in the tiny tunes solution.
>>>> What you get from Laz with a Sansa mp3 player is far worth the  money
>>>> then this tiny tunes solution.
>>>> With this Tiny tunes solution, your paying a lot of money and getting
>>>> very little functionality as a result.
>>>> Laz, I commend you for your work and for posting this email so people
>>>> who are considering there options on what portable media solution to
>>>> buy can really see what a product such as the tiny tunes really 
>>>> actually
>>> cant do.
>>>> Rich Cavalllaro
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 12/19/12, DennisLong <dennisl1982 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> I like to be warned when a product is falsely stated.  I would rather
>>>>> hay a little more for a product and have it work as advertised.
>>>>>
>>>>> -original message-
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Important message to avoid being
>>>>> taken advantage of
>>>>> From: Gabe Vega Via Iphone4S <theblindtech at gmail.com>
>>>>> Date: 12/19/2012 8:18 PM
>>>>>
>>>>> So this is how low you are going Huh Laz? to sell your little cheap
>>>>> MP3 players?
>>>>>
>>>>> Gabe Vega
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> (623) 565-9357
>>>>>
>>>>> On Dec 19, 2012, at 5:43 PM, Laz Mesa <lazaro6 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> The below is a response from a customer who paid $75 for a
>>>>>> misrepresented product.  He gave me permission to send it to other
>>>>>> lists in order to protect anyone else from falling for this con job.
>>>>>> Here is this gentleman's reaction to the player and the company
>>>>>> selling it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:06:52 -0500
>>>>>> From: Joe Giovanelli <joegio1 at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> To: Pc-audio at pc-audio.org
>>>>>> Subject: tiny tunes player
>>>>>> Message-ID: <20121218010652.joegio1 at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello, Everybody,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You may have heard about a rather small player called "Tiny Tunes."
>>>>>> It claims to have an excellent TTS engine, which means that it will
>>>>>> read textfiles.  It plays various audio formats.   The instructions
>>>>>> tell us that it will read folder names.  Navigation is accoplished
>>>>>> with a minimum number of controls.  Its 75 dollar price sounds great!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I strongly suggest that you do not obtain one.  The speech is some
>>>>>> of the worst I have heard in my 30 years of computer use.  I was not
>>>>>> able to receive any FM stations on its radio.  I could write a long
>>>>>> treatise on what this unit should do as opposed to what it really
>>>>>> does, but I won't.  Suffice it to say that navigation and response
>>>>>> are erratic.  When a few folders are loaded on to the device, it
>>>>>> will likely quit responding, leading to running down its battery.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I truly dislike writing negative things, but I have to do so in this
>>>>>> case.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you go to the Braille Super Store website, be sure to look for
>>>>>> the company's return policy.  Among many unbblievable things, you'll
>>>>>> read that none of its products are warrantied.  It gets worse from
>>> there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Joe Giovanelli
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Affordably priced Talking MP3 Players with FM radio, voice
>>>>>> recording, and expandable memory! Priced As low as $69.99, plus free
>>>>>> shipping in the US!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Listen to our presentation:
>>>>>> http://www.talkingmp3players.com/demo.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> See our current special:
>>>>>> http://www.talkingmp3players.com/specials.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Join our mailing list by sending a blank email to:
>>>>>> RockboxedSansaTalkingMP3Players-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> New web page in progress:
>>>>>> http://www.talkingmp3players.com/accessible-phones.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Unlimited Quality 4G Cell Service only $49 per month No contract,
>>>>>> Option to bring your own phone!
>>>>>> Works with the new Google Galaxy Nexus!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Contact info:
>>>>>> Email:  accessibleelectronics at gmail.com
>>>>>> Skype: lazmesa
>>>>>> Phone: 727 498-0121
>>>>>> Facebook: facebook.com/laz.mesa
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/thebli
>>>>>> n
>>>>>> dtech%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/dennisl
>>>>> 1
>>>>> 982%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/richcav
>>>>> 1
>>>>> 014%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/stephen%
>>>> 40inde
>>>> pendentliving.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/bwaylimi
>>>> ted%40verizon.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Electronics-talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/stephen%40inde
>>> pendentliving.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Electronics-talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/theblindtech%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Electronics-talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/richcav1014%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Electronics-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/dennisl1982%40gmail.com