Some of my memory is coming back -- I recall a somewhat true-sounding explanation as to why the RAM was setup with a $5.00 cost value and why it was specific with branded, "Designed For", memory. I remember hearing that the reason they were fired is that the SKU was supposed to be on a receipt with the computer that was being upgraded; they're never supposed to be sold, alone, and this was something the warehouse manager knew of (he also knew they were poorly audited).
Corporate customers were usually paying on pricing terms that were "X% above cost". And enterprise sales had flexibility further to close a deal. These one-off products had something to do with that -- perhaps it allowed them to offer pre-configured systems for some customers that calculated to the agreed-upon price when their % above cost was calculated, or maybe it was just a way to "throw in the RAM on all of these shiny new Packard (Bells)".
Corporate customers were usually paying on pricing terms that were "X% above cost". And enterprise sales had flexibility further to close a deal. These one-off products had something to do with that -- perhaps it allowed them to offer pre-configured systems for some customers that calculated to the agreed-upon price when their % above cost was calculated, or maybe it was just a way to "throw in the RAM on all of these shiny new Packard (Bells)".