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From: Brian_Moore%UB-MTS%UMich-MTS.MAILNET@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari16
Subject: (none)
Message-ID: <134662@UB-MTS>
Date: Mon, 7-Apr-86 19:24:44 EST
Article-I.D.: UB-MTS.134662
Posted: Mon Apr  7 19:24:44 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 10-Apr-86 07:14:09 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
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Subject: Distribution theory

    I have had a lot of interesting
people online the Club Network lately,
many who had had a chance to chat, and
I seem to find STRANGE distribution
channels coming from Atari.

   Having talked to people from all
over the country, it does seem that
Atari is attempting to starve out
distributors by PURPOSELY delaying
shipping to them. While I can
empathize with Atari preferring
dealers deal directly with them, Atari's
"severe" (to many smaller stores)
policy of a $3000 minimum order means
dealers are essential to these smaller
firms who want Atari's to sell. In
fact, the local Atari store is selling
as many ST's as it can get it's hands
on. If it can get any, that is.

   Also, EVERYONE but Lansing, MI seems
to be able to get ROMs. Gee, I thought
Lansing, being the capitol of Michigan,
at least -sort of- qualified as a major
population center (culture is not an
issue...) and as such, might deserve
SOME attention. But I guess not. And
here was have one of the biggest (only?)
automotive plants too (makes the Pontiac
Grand AM, Olds Calais etc. body) which
means a large group of at least somewhat
educated buyers.

    Perhaps it's because the only Atari
dealers in town have to resort to -
god forbid - dealers, because of the
size of computer operations locally,
but if this is the case, then the
"policy" Atari seems (note "seems")
to have formed is going to cost them
a city. If Atari doesn't up the quality
of service and shipping soon, especially
with TOS on ROM, of which today we got
our ONE AND ONLY, no exxageration,
set in all the city JUST TODAY, then
this city (with it's strong IBM/GM
PC-compatible drive) is going all
IBM PC compatible. Period.

   I guess I can't disagree with Atari
wanting some working capitol, but if
they want the dealers out of the
picture, they ought to at least chin
up and say it.

      Terry Conklin
      Club Network desginer
      The Club (517) 372-3131
       Club II (313) 334-8877
       Public access 300/1200
   or Terry Conklin@UMich-MTS.Mailnet