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From: ray@rochester.UUCP (Ray Frank)
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari
Subject: Re: 520ST to be sold by toy stores
Message-ID: <14365@rochester.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Jan-86 12:35:59 EST
Article-I.D.: rocheste.14365
Posted: Mon Jan  6 12:35:59 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jan-86 06:18:43 EST
References: <12172635152.9.MRC@PANDA>
Organization: U. of Rochester, CS Dept.
Lines: 30

> 
>      Well, Tramiel has done it again.  It was just announced that
> the 520ST will sell without a monitor in toy stores for less than
> $300.  The computer specialty stores are *furious*, many "I told
> you so"'s are floating around.  It's just what he did with the
> C64 when he was at Commodore.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if
> the computer stores dump the ST en masse, even with Tramiel's
> promised 1040ST for them only (we know how much THAT promise is
> worth).
> 
>      I'm glad I didn't waste my money on an ST the way I did on
> the 8 bit series (400,800,1200XL).  I saw what once were serious
> graphics engines (that happened to play neat games too) become
> toys only, and it's happening all over again.
> 
> 			Bye Bye Atari Pie
> 
What is the difference where the 520ST is sold?  Just as long as the price is
cheaper.  Why should anyone want to supplement a 'computer store?' where
half the time, the saleperson is just as ignorant about the machine as a
typical K-Mart salesperson.  What is the advantage of paying 300.00 more just
because it is sold in a computer store?  
And the machine doesn't magically turn into a toy just because it happens to be
sold from K-Mart.  If it is a good machine then it is a good machine, period.
It is strange attitudes that hurt machines, not marketing.  The public has been
duped long enough with outrageously over-priced machines such as the likes of
all Apple products.

ray (mass marketing is OK if you don't mind being out-programmed by a 10 year 
old kid who was able to afford to get one for his birthday.)