Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!chuq From: chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach, only here for the beer) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system Subject: Re: ftp.apple.com STILL down? Message-ID: <52926@apple.Apple.COM> Date: 15 May 91 20:43:05 GMT References: <1991May15.150616.1235@njitgw.njit.edu> <19413@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> Distribution: usa Organization: Dottie I's Private Eyes Lines: 59 >>and there isn't a dealer in the area willing >>to copy the disks. Sigh....... >However, there wouldn't be a >problem IF (Are any dealers out there? Listen up if there are!!) >the dealers would just agree to copy some damn disks for us rather >than giving up their measly $40 (or whatever is it) profit margin. Apple can't make them be nice to customers. Apple, frankly, has enough problems trying to keep them from ripping customers blind sometimes. (I've dealt with these dealers, too -- I'm not just an Apple employee, but an Apple owner) Dealers get away with this, frankly, because the customers let them. If the dealer won't put in the time or energy for the little services, he doesn't deserve your support. People who want to stop this kind of stuff have to put in a little effort: o Find a new dealer -- suppor those that are good, ignore those that aren't. Sometimes this is inconvenient -- driving 25 minutes instead of 5, maybe paying a few more dollars because dealers who also support users can't cut prices quite as much (support takes time and money). o More importantly, if you run into a dealer you won't be doing business with, LET THEM KNOW. Not the salesman -- he doesn't care, and in two months he'll be back at the car lot pushing Hondas, anyway. Send a letter (no phone calls, no screaming in the offices) to the manager of the store, pointing out that you used to be a customer of the store, and that you plan on spending all your computer money somewhere else because they 're too interested in sales to be interested in customers. It is quite helpful if you point out just how much money you're going to be giving to their competitors ("I was going to buy a IIci in June, but now it won't be from you -- because of this $40 cheapsh?t stuff"). I wouldn't do that unless I DID plan on buying it, of course. Never lie -- and minimize the inflation factor of the budget; talking IIfx when the checkbook says Classic will set off their BS detectors. Remember that dealers are experts in BS, and don't lower yourself to their level. >This attitude towards distribution is crap, guys, and >you know it. I've tried a couple of dealers and neither would bend, >even after I explained the distribution policy. They generally understand money. When a $50 copying policy is affecting $3000 sales, that they'll understand. but it only helps long-term, and only if you get involved. The short-term answer is to (1) try to find a decent dealer, or (2) find and support a user group like BMUG or BCS and get it from them. You'll get better support from them, anyway -- much cheaper. -- Chuq Von Rospach >=< chuq@apple.com >=< GEnie:CHUQ or MAC.BIGOT >=< ALink:CHUQ SFWA Nebula Awards Reports Editor =+= Editor, OtherRealms Book Reviewer, Amazing Stories ---@--- #include Recommended: ORION IN THE DYING TIME Ben Bova (Tor, Aug, ***-); SACRED VISIONS Greeley&Cassutt (Tor, Aug, ****+); MEN AT WORK George Will (****); XENOCIDE Orson Scott Card (August, ****)