Speaking with Richard Uechtritz Chief Executive Officer of JB Hi-Fi yesterday, the situation got only as clear as mud when he noted that, as far as I know this was just some preliminary or promotional stock that Asus had on hand and offered to us as a dynamic and well-respected electronics retailer. Whether we were the first to get it or not, I cant really comment on that?.

Uechtritz also noted that this was not some special deal with Asus, nor does he think this type of gazumping is something that will become the norm for the industry.

However, on the JB Hi-Fi web site, the EEE PC 1000 as of this morning was being sold for $698.

Insofar as Asus PR agency Dash PR was concerned, the full consignment of these ultra-portable notebooks was due to arrive in Australia towards the end of this month and it was unaware of any exclusive deal Asus may have had with any retailer, including JB Hi-Fi.

 
Traditionally, Asus has preferred to sell through the IT reseller channel and by giving such a premium product direct to the mass reseller channel well before it is on the shelves of its IT channel partners raises the question whether the company is now favouring the mass resellers over its traditional notebook distribution network.