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From: ags@pucc-k (Seaman)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Shifty software retailers
Message-ID: <114@pucc-k>
Date: Mon, 14-Nov-83 22:02:44 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-k.114
Posted: Mon Nov 14 22:02:44 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Nov-83 21:28:27 EST
References: <13369@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 43

Tim Gonsalves has related some unpleasant experiences with Software-To-Go
(Programming International) and asked for info on other mail-order firms.
I have not dealt with Software-To-Go, but I can pass along some other news,
mostly good.  I have no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned here.

First, the bad news.  I once attempted to phone in an order to Alpha Byte
Computer Products (31304 Via Colinas, Westlake CA 91362), only to get placed
on hold.  I would not have minded so much, except that they do not have an
800 number.  Every 15-20 seconds someone would come on the line to see whether
I was still there, then ask me to hold again.  After 3 or 4 times I threatened
to hang up unless someone took my order.  This got me switched immediately to
someone else (Aha! Now I'm getting somewhere!) only to be placed on hold again.
I hung up.  I notice they have since added a modem line, but they still do not
have an 800 number.  I have no intention of trying to deal with them again.
If you prefer to write rather than phone, you might want to give these guys
a chance.

The rest is good news.  Each of the following companies has been reliable:

1.  Conroy-La Pointe (formerly Computer Exchange) P.O. Box 23068, Portland OR
    97223.  I have ordered from them 4 times over the last 3 years (both
    software and hardware) and I have never had any trouble.  Delivery usually
    takes 2-3 weeks.  Their prices are not the lowest, but competitive with
    others advertised in BYTE.  My only bad experience here was that I once
    mailed in an order and was hit by a price increase (the ad was 3 weeks
    old at the time), which caused further delay because I had to send
    additional payment.  That's why I usually phone in orders now.

2.  Orange Micro, 1400 N. Lakeview Ave., Anaheim CA 92807.  I ordered a printer
    from them (Epson MX-80 with Graftrax, then sold separately).  The printer
    arrived in about 2 weeks.  The Graftrax chips proved faulty.  I called,
    got a return authorization and sent back the chips.  New chips arrived
    about 2 weeks later, and everything was fine.  I also had the use of the
    printer (minus Graftrax option) while I was waiting for the new chips.

3.  Strictly Soft Ware, P.O. Box 338, Granville, Ohio 43023.  I ordered from
    them once about 2 years ago (three programs) and got very prompt service.
    I believe they shipped the same day.

		Let's here about other mail-order experiences.

				Dave Seaman
				..!pur-ee!pucc-k!ags