Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!emory!mephisto!ncsuvx!news
From: harris@shumv1.ncsu.edu (Michael Harris)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Amiga Education Ad: A Review.
Message-ID: <1990Sep7.152703.20292@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Date: 7 Sep 90 15:27:03 GMT
References: <29633@nigel.ee.udel.edu> <14243@cbmvax.commodore.com> <1990Sep7.020416.2170@uncecs.edu> <1990Sep7.050915.4561@uncecs.edu>
Reply-To: harris@shumv1.ncsu.edu (Michael Harris)
Organization: NCSU Computing Center
Lines: 53

When you wonder why Commodore isn't big in North Carolina you must also
consider the Amiga dealers here in North Carolina.  Speaking
just for the central part (the area around the Research Triangle that
includes North Carolina State, UNC, and Duke Universities) we have only
one "Real" dealer.  When I say "real" I mean a retail store with a showroom
that has demo machines available for customers to view.  That store is
DIGITZ in Raleigh.  Now, given my past experience with this store,
if I were in Commodore's shoes, I wouldn't want any of my customers
to go near this place in fear that their lack of professionalism
tarnish the customer's image of the product.  I mean this place
has had *many* complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau.  We
have also heard complaints right here on the net.  I personally liked the
comment the manager gave me after I had a problem with my A1000 a year or
so ago: "Let's see... have you ever bought anything here?  No?  I see.  In
that case, why don't you walk out that door and come back some day that
isn't so cold and wet."  Let me assure you that it was the most warm,
sunny day in the history of the world.  I wish Commodore would revoke their
authorization!

Ok, given that DIGITZ is out, where else could potential Amiga customers go
for a dealer... Remember Commodore seems to like places where customers
can touch and see as well as get good service.  Well, I have heard of a
dealer in Burlington, NC (1hr & 15 mins from Raleigh)
I cannot speak for this place since I haven't been there myself, but I'm
sure Commodore thinks it is a bit far to drive from Raleigh.  I went to
a users group in the area one time and someone described the Burlington
dealer as a "hole in the wall".  They also said that the staff wasn't able
to answer the most basic questions about the hardware/software they were
selling.

Ok, so what else do we have?  A small satellite office of Software City of
Charlotte.  Oh, but wait!  They don't have a showroom... that's out.

So, what's left?  NOTHING  Therefore I can only guess that Commodore felt
that given the dealer situation in our area, the cost of pushing Amiga here
wasn't worth it.
And so it goes...

THE FOLLOWING IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE IN CENTRAL NC:

To those of you in the central NC area who have experienced DIGITZ
terrible service/attitudes/business policies/etc:

When you want Amiga support, call Software City of Raleigh (919-676-7613 or
1-800-872-9520)  This is a one person operation... so it may sometimes be
tough to get through... (Robin Millikin stays quite busy)  but it is well
worth the wait.  Robin is one of the best dealers I have ever had.  She
will go above and beyond the call of duty to get you what you ask for.
Plus she cares for you as an individual.  And you won't need to worry
about her insulting you or your wife.  All she asks in return is for you
to be a polite customer.

Michael Harris