Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!bellcore!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!werner From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) Newsgroups: net.micro,net.consumers Subject: what is a COMMODORE PLUS-4 computer? (a consumer ripoff?) Message-ID: <3184@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Wed, 9-Apr-86 03:38:00 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.3184 Posted: Wed Apr 9 03:38:00 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 11-Apr-86 17:51:26 EST Distribution: na Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas Lines: 56 Xref: mit-eddie net.micro:12682 net.consumers:5005 in LateNight/EarlyMorning TV-advertising, an *UNNAMED* company is pushing such an animal for $88 (latest price), including software (WordProcessor, DataBase, Graphics, and something else). Also a Commodore-801 printer for $88 (50cps). 1-800-548-7000 - but its mostly busy ... ah, yes, no C.O.D. ... I can't help the feeling that this might be some kind of ripoff, giving a strangly shaped door-stopper the title "computer", in which case the computer community might better speak up and avoid that the neophites get burnt. And, please, no former Sinclair purchaser should lecture me that at this price its "you get what you pay for" ... or, if you can't resist, please include your return-address; maybe I can interest you in this antique pet-rock, incredibly loyal, undemanding, ....; a bargain at *ONLY* $1 (plus shipping and handling) Seriously now, I'm concerned about those that get suckered into this ... Hahh, the above 800-number answered ... "Your Zip-code, please ..." "I'm calling about the Commodore-Plus-4 computer just advertised .." "yes, could I have your zip-code, please" "sure, 78758. I'd like some more information, please" "well, if you want more information, you should call the service number: 1-800-342-0200" "is this number being answered at this hour? <2am CST>" "well, I don't know. you could also try (201)575-4888" "thank you! what is the name of the company?" "Urban General. Good bye!" ------------------------ I called the latter 800-number: no answer. maybe tomorrow. nope, I'm not going to waste a nickel on the (201)-number; it's either a recording, or some other run-around (at this hour, at least). does anyone know more? should we ring the alarm about this? on the other hand, should we ring the alarm about the IBM-clam, which, "2 years after being delayed because the DG-1's lousy display had such a negative industry reception" is said to have a display which is 'just as bad'. Hey, don't blame Austin for this; we're about to ban the whole production line to Boca, Northern Cuba. sorry, silliness overcame me ... ((-% ---Werner