Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!sri-spam!mordor!styx!ptsfa!ihnp4!homxb!houxm!hjuxa!catnip!ben From: ben@catnip.UUCP (Bennett Broder) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: 47th ST. Mail Order Message-ID: <475@catnip.UUCP> Date: Fri, 8-May-87 00:04:54 EDT Article-I.D.: catnip.475 Posted: Fri May 8 00:04:54 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 9-May-87 19:35:59 EDT References: <2700@panda.UUCP> <1938@bunker.UUCP> <1983@uwmcsd1.UUCP> <289@ritcv.UUCP> Reply-To: ben@catnip.UUCP (Bennett Broder) Organization: The Broder Residence, Holmdel, NJ 07733 Lines: 94 In article <289@ritcv.UUCP> pxd3563@ritcv.UUCP (Patrick Deupree) writes: > Here is what I know about >47th St. Photo, and just for the record I used to work for the IBM Product >Centers/NYNEX Business Centers so I know what I am talking about. If you're an IBM product center employee who knows what he/she is talking about, you are certainly the first one I've encountered. The product center charges list price for items they sell under the premise that they provide "technical know-how," but all the personnel I've had the opportunity to speak with don't a darn thing. An example is a salesgirl who thought Xenix was a space-war game. (Which just for your edification, it isn't) >you will get a great price, possibly the best, on real IBM PC's. However, >you have to consider a few things. When you get this computer there is NO >warranty on that computer. Wrong. 47th street photo not only provides a warranty, but provides one that is better than IBM's. It is offered through Xerox, and features on-site repairs for customers in NYC. > 47th St. buys computer grey market, which means >that they are sort of second hand. I have purchased many products from 47th street; none have shown any indication of being used. If you also buy ancillary equipment, they will open the box to install and test it, but will gladly ship the equipment untouched upon your request. (They do open the carton to remove the IBM warranty information and insert their own) I applaud 47th street photo in that they tell you right up front that their machines are grey market, and provide an alternative warranty. > Once that computer leaves the original >Authorized Dealer a clock starts ticking and the warranty eats away. Although >this does not matter because you have to go through an Authorized Dealer to >get your warranty honored, and if you did not buy from an Authorized Dealer >then no other Authorized Dealer has to help you at all. You can not even >go to IBM for help because they will just say, "Sorry, it is out of our hands.". A non-issue, the Xerox service is both better and faster than that provided by the semi-competent techs who work in the back rooms at most authorized dealers. These geniuses think the smallest replacable component in a PC is the motherboard. >However, this is not to say you can't get it fixed. It will just be extremely >tough. The other big problem is the non-IBM parts they use. Just because the >computer they sell you is IBM, it does not mean that the interfaces are also. >They have a tendency to use generic parts in there (and I mean really generic). Do you mean that they substitute non-CMI hard drives that run longer than two months without a headcrash? Ones that are faster, bigger, and more reliable? Are you complaining that they use 256k EGA boards that cost less than the memory expansion piggyback board that IBM requires you buy to bring their already overpriced EGA board up to full funtionality? If you are, be aware that 47th street photo carries and is willing to sell you true blue disk drives and adapters. > But, after working for IBM and having to deal with customers that >bought from 47th St., I would go elsewhere. It is company policy for the >NYNEX Business Centers and the IBM tech support not to deal with >people who purchased from non-authorized dealers. And believe me, there have >been some people who were mighty upset when they found this out. These folks just don't know how lucky they are. IBM built its reputation by providing a very high level of support and service for its mainframe customers. This level of care has been an unfulfilled promise in the PC marketplace, as evidenced by the increasing numbers of Fortune 500 companies that are now looking to other vendors for their PC needs. In the case of customers that have purchased a real IBM from a grey market dealer, there are many alternate repair houses that are willing to properly troubleshoot and repair the equipment; rather than simply replacing complete circuit boards at a high cost to the consumer as most authorized dealers and product centers do. If the IBM dealer network in general (and the IBM product centers/Nynex business centers in particular) provided an excellent level of support, your arguements might hold water. Unfortunately, the ones I've dealt with have provided the same low level of support as 47th street photo, but at an inflated list price. Disclaimers: - I have no connection with 47th street photo, except as a satisfied customer - I have no connection with Nynex business centers, except as a dissatisfied customer -- Ben Broder {ihnp4,decvax} !hjuxa!catnip!ben {houxm,clyde}/