Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!gatech!udel!princeton!njin!njitgw.njit.edu!hertz.njit.edu!jfa0522 From: jfa0522@hertz.njit.edu (john f andrews ece) Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds Subject: Re: HP Customer Service and the Serial Kit SCAM Message-ID: <1991Jun30.171106.19815@njitgw.njit.edu> Date: 30 Jun 91 17:11:06 GMT References: <1991Jun25.182629.1803@njitgw.njit.edu> <1991Jun27.182152.3944@lsuc.on.ca> Sender: news@njit.edu Organization: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J. Lines: 62 Nntp-Posting-Host: hertz.njit.edu In article stevev@greylady.uoregon.edu (Steve VanDevender) writes: >jfa0522@hertz.njit.edu (john f andrews ece) whines and burbles well, to start out like this costs you credibility, but I will ignore it. >because he neglected to ask what he was getting when he bought >the HP 48 Serial Interface Kit. Perhaps it is overpriced, but I >thought it was customary to know what you're buying before >deciding so you can avoid disappointment. But instead of >exercising customer caution ahead of time, he decides to blame HP >for his failing. Not so. Relying on the pamphlet, the Serial Interface Kit description in the mini-catalog that came with the 48, looking to the EduCalc catalog, and the package, you cannot tell that it contains KERMIT, a cable, and a few unrelated programs that run on the 48. > > >In any case, the responses Andrews got from HP's service >department were perfectly reasonable. The Serial Interface Kit >comes with Kermit for those who don't already know about it; it >also comes with an assortment of 48 software that more or less >justifies its price. You can get a cable-only kit if you want, Hmm.. a graphic, a clock program, a few graphic printing programs. Surely justifies the $50 cost? Be real. >and find Kermit from other sources. I have the HP serial cable >and it's certainly worth the price--it's sturdy but compact. If >you think that $30 is too much to pay for just a cable, then the >pinouts for the HP 48 cable are easily available so you can build >your own. Nobody ever complained about the cable price. I could reuse your words to Jim Omura about not reading the original post, but like I said, that was nonsense. > >I do feel sorry for the HP employees that took Andrews's call. >It's the sort of thing that can drive companies to provide less >responsive service. >-- >Steve VanDevender stevev@greylady.uoregon.edu >"Bipedalism--an unrecognized disease affecting over 99% of the population. >Symptoms include lack of traffic sense, slow rate of travel, and the >classic, easily recognized behavior known as walking." Hmmm... a complaint, expressing diassatisfaction of a product? Driving a company toward less responsive service? Sounds odd to me. Certainly goes against most marketing/business practices. HArdly worth discussing your points. I do wonder, however, why some jump to defend HP against my SCAM post, without demonstrating any rationale for their actions. Do you work for HP? Were you the guy on the other end of the phone when I called to complain? (Obviosuly not, as it was a very civil conversation, contrary to your tone.) "...decides to blame HP for his failing..." --- see what I mean. Geesh.