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From: davidsen@steinmetz.ge.com (William E. Davidsen Jr)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: A good place to do business
Message-ID: <11994@steinmetz.ge.com>
Date: 26 Aug 88 17:15:38 GMT
Reply-To: davidsen@crdos1.UUCP (bill davidsen)
Distribution: na
Organization: GE Corp. R & D, Schenectady,NY
Lines: 44


  I have seen so many reports of bad mail order places in this forum
that I would like to share a pleasant experience with you.

  About a month ago I needed more disk on my home system and decided to
try an RLL controller rather than new drives. I ordered a Perstor PS180
controller from Columbus Micro. They were expecting a new shipment in
any day so I placed an order. A few days later they called to assure me
that they had the shipment and my unit had gone out.

  When I got the unit, I found that it is not a direct replacement for
an AT controller. I got a floppy only controller and was able to run DOS
without problems. The controller gives 31 sectors per track, rather than
the 26 normally found with RLL controllers.

  I was unable to run Xenix, and called back. Although their literature
showed that Xenix was supported, they gave me a number at the Perstor
factory where more info was available. I got a very knowlegable person
on the first try, and she explained that there was a model coming out
which was a complete replacement for the AT controller, and that the
literature had gone out to the dealers. The unit was ready but was
waiting for the documentation to be printed.

  I called Columbus Micro back and they imediately offered to give me a
refund, or to apply the price I paid against the new controller. I
decided to take the refund, and eight days after I shipped the
controller I got the check. Since I needed a controller right away I
ordered an Adaptek, which is solving my problem for the moment.

  Columbus Micro was helpful and responsive, and I find no fault in
their not having tried every model with all operating systems. Although
I picked their name out of the back of PC Week, I will do business with
them again based on my good experience. I would also try another Perstor
when I configure a system again, having found the controller to be
entirely reliable and the tech support helpful.

	Columbus Micro Systems
	2829B East Dublin Granville Rd
	Columbus Ohio 43229
	(614) 794-1981
-- 
	bill davidsen		(wedu@ge-crd.arpa)
  {uunet | philabs | seismo}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen
"Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me