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From: ifarqhar@mqccsunc.mqcc.mq.oz.au (Ian Farquhar)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Commodore leaves 1000 users in the lurch. (So what's new)
Summary: You are wrong, Daniel
Message-ID: <340@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz>
Date: 27 Jul 90 06:13:59 GMT
References: <337@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz>
Sender: news@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz
Organization: Macquarie University, Sydney
Lines: 56

In article <337@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz> s8825698@mqcomp (Daniel Bielik) writes:
>In Australia, Commodore has left thousands of Amiga-1000 owners with
>absolutely no upgrade path other than to try and sell their 1000 through the
>newspapers (for which, I can tell you, there is not much demand).

Rubbish!  I owned an A1000, which was upgraded last year to an A2000 in
a Commodore sponsored upgrade/promotion.  You could have done this as
well.  

>Why, when there was such a successful upgrade campaign performed in the US
>for people to upgrade their now obsolete machines was the same thing not
>done here in Australia.  It would seem that C= has absolutely no regard for 
>its customers (proven time and time again - - come and prove me wrong 
>Commodore), not only that but they are foregoing possible revenue (and further
>continued revenue through my purchasing more C= equipment through my supposed
>satisfaction) and my continued support as an Amiga owner.

As I said, CBM did have at least one upgrade offer which was quite
widely advertised, so the fact that you did not take advantage of it is
your problem, not CBM's.

As for CBM's regard for customers, you might like to consider this.  CBM
Australia has negotiated a deal with this University (your university)
that enables students to obtain CBM computers at substantially reduced
prices.  A similar deal has been introduced in several other
universities across Australia.  This deal also gives you access to
technical support, both internal to the university (me) and external
(through Hard Disk Cafe).  CBM has invested a considerable amount of
money in this venture, and I think that its actions so far have
constituted "regard for its customers".

>But, then what would a company that was brought up on charges of breaches of
>the Trade Practices act through price fixing know about the basics of
>competition in a capitalist society.  

Or perhaps it was, as the judge in the case pointed out, bad legal
advice which CBM undoubtedly got.  Besides, screwing the public is the
basis for a capitalist society :)

>Maybe, I might teach them (I invite others to join if they so wish) by dumping
>my 1000 for what ever I can get for it and buying (heaven help me) a Mac or
>a PC.

It's your loss.  It is interesting to note that by far the stupidest
questions I get at the OCS come from Mac and PC owners.  Perhaps you
feel a desire to join their ranks?

>Any answers, Commodore?

As you want answers, I have faxed this article to CBM Australia.  I will
relay their response back to you.
--

Ian Farquhar                           Phone : (612) 805-7420
Office of Computing Services           Fax   : (612) 805-7433
Macquarie University  NSW  2109        Also  : (612) 805-7205