I look a little deeper and do believe it was screw up. Was it done intentionally? Of course it was. Did they know it wasn't counterfeit? YES. They admitted to it already, before the GM knew about it and clearly admitted they use it as a means to protect local distributors to keep others from selling at below set price.
Which is essentially admitting to engage in criminal activity. This alone makes it much more than a "screw-up".
Really in reality what they did was shoot themselves in the foot, as some will look at resale value when making judgement on buying equipment. Siglent used items cheap is also a good thing in some ways and free advertising and they are killing that market for themselves.
No, they're not. Unless this results in an investigation by the authorities this thread will soon be forgotten, and after a while they will do the same again and again. Buyers will also not pay too much attention once some time has passed, as they did with Rigol (who did the same thing, and it didn't impact their sales).
Don't forget that this isn't something new or unique, it's pretty standard way for most Chinese companies. Letting them off the hook is part of the problem.
It not Price Fixing on a market scale to commit racketeering, like you are assuming it is.
I beg to differ. I just had a long email discussion with one of the corporate lawyers and APAC experts of one of our US dependencies (and a personal friend of mine), and based on the facts that are presented here he very much confirmed that this is criminal behavior. It doesn't have to be on a large scale to become a felony.
So where they right? NO. At the same time, I don't think they sure be hung for it. Even though they did wrong, I don't think they deserve the very harsh punishment that more likely would follow, as they actually did more damage to themselves, buy trying to enforce prices on the used market trying to protect their distributors, as they more likely complain to them.
Which essentially send out the message violating the law is OK. Which they will certainly do again. As I said, apologize, rinse and repeat.
Do I think they are a bad horrible company that don't care and is sleazy? Honestly NO. For more then one reason and not just because they talk to me and try to force me into to believing otherwise, as not no fool ether and dealt with my fair share of those that actually where bad. I see them as the GM see them and this was before this dispute happen. I see them working hard to improve on quality, it show from one year to the next on their test equipment and actually used the SDG2122X with new firmware update and I am impressive with it, when compare to the older model and over the years seen improvements. Plus they made several changes within the company recently, so show they are trying to improve and most changes within the last few months, so it take time and is a learning curve.
Learning courve? May I remind you that Siglent was founded in 2002, that's 13 years ago! They have been producing OEM gear for many smaller and larger corporations including LeCroy for a long time, and you'd think that 13 years dealing with large customers in various countries should have given them enough time to "learn". You can also bet that nothing is made without the vetting by a lawyer.
They know the rules very well.
I just think they made a huge mistake, as they got away with it for so long and though it OK, so they abuse it.
So I guess you bought the story then, which is a bit disappointing.
But for other reason I see hope for them if they can get passed the bullshit and focus in the right areas.
Sure, Just better don't hold your breath.