#CBM Red Ink
23 messages in this thread
So far, the best thing about Commodore is that its low price, so HP and
"high prices" would change everything!
— Ethan
Ethan,
"the best thing about Commodore is that its (SIC) low price,…"
Hmmm, I kinda like the multi-tasking environment myself.
-John
Commodore doesn't multitask, the Amiga does. The best thing about
COMMODORE is the low price they charge for the system (our very own Amiga)
whose best feature is multitasking. Ahem… 8^>
— Ethan
Ethan,
Well, if you put it that way then I pretty much agree. My favorite
things about Commodore (not the Amiga) are that they support their dealers, who
can then turn and support their customers. And, they are _committed_ to the
personal computer market. Priced to make power affordable.
-John
I'm a dealer, here's the kind of support I get sometimes… I am informed about
special promotions about a week before they're over… My rep. (No. California)
goes on vacation for a week or two, and nobody answers his phone messages. It
makes it kind of hard to order when you can't get ahold of anyone. There's only
one guy taking orders, and he's out half the time when he's not on vacation,
and his "Service" can't ever take a canned order.. Sure, they do O.K.
sometimes, but they've never been that great to dealers.
Dean,
Your rep has a boss…why not complain to them. The rep is obviously
not doing a proper job, that should either be fixed…or he(she) should be
replaced.
If nothing else, why not give Commodore a call directly?
Don
I've currently got complaints in the works… I just wanted to pass the word
that it's not like it was painted in the previous message. Here's another
example… Commodore put in a new main computer, so all parts, and equipment
orders were put on hold, for almost 2 weeks… A computer company should at
least be able to run in parallel, shouldn't they? Ami's my favorite computer,
but the fact remains, if CBM don't get off their tails and develop newer,
faster, and more capable systems, the Amiga will be remembered as an "Also Ran"
in the pages of computer history. Many applications are out there, but CBM has
to show the developers of VAR applications and high level vertical markets some
reason to "Take a chance, and not go with IBM or MAC"….
The company in the IBM world I would most like to see come to the Amiga
is probably Fox Software (although Lotus is a close second). They make the best
database system for standalone computers (non-network). It is even faster than
clipper according to most reports. They made a Mac version which is supposed to
very good and the programmers claimed that they loved the Mac environment. If
they loved what they saw in the Mac, how about the Amiga??
Also, the have a program called FoxGraph, which is an EXCELLENT 3-d
graphing program, giving almost complete flexibility. They seem to be
innovation leaders in the MS-DOS world and would probably sell very well in the
Amiga market as we seem to be missing a powerful high-end database system.
— Ethan
Do you know that Fox Software is full of Amiga nuts? Most of there software
dev developers have Amigas. In fact, two AmiExpos ago, their Sales Director
went to a CBM representative an asked him, informally, on whether or not Fox
should consider the Amiga asa development platform. Well, he was treated quite
badly and just closed the book on that. I personally gave him a call after
Gail Wellington said he would be happy to take his call on the subject. This
was three months ago, and it is now between the President of Fox and Ms.
Wellington. I don't think that he is too thrilled with the Amiga at this point
and Commodore probably isn't pushing to hard, I guess it is because we have
Microfiche Filer. Who needs FoxBase, right?
By the way, Fix sells about 5000 copies of FoxBase a month. Let's hope that
Fox ports the Mac version of their program to the Amiga. As long as CBM drags
their feet on marketing, continued development of Amiga hardware, and system
enhancements, it'll be a tough bet.
Dean,
I suggest that you document these problems with your sales rep. and get
Commodore working on them. There is a regional manager who is supposed to
oversee the work of that rep – and some one at Commodore in West Chester would
be overseeing the regional rep. You DO have recourse.
Betty
See the message to Don, I'm working on it… But, it shouldn't happen in the
first place…
Dean,
Well, don't call him today, tomorrow or yesterday… he's off … in
West Chester getting briefed on the fall promotions! <grin>
Dean, there have been plenty of times that I've called with …
questions/orders and he hasn't been around, but he is normally out of town
helping out a dealer or something, not on vacations? BTW, is your rep. Bob
Kooyman? That's who I'm talking about.
Normally I get a call back in a day or so, and with the kind of
shipping delays we face, a day or so 'ain't no bid deal. 🙂
Anyway, I would let someone know that you are frustrated with the
support he's giving you, hopefully that someone can help fix the problem.
-John
My rep is Tom Stearns. I know he's a busy guy, so CBM should give him some
help. I'm working on the problems, and don't really see them as "Major"
problems, but why not have a more centralized and organized system… What
products have you had problems getting… Lately it's Monitors with me..
Dean,
One more thing, are you getting the 'Marketing Bulletins'? I'm getting
one every couple of weeks or so, and they do well in keeping me up on promo's,
CO-Op, etc.
-John
Yes, I'm getting the bulletins, but they don't always include the information
that we "Don't want to hear"… IE: Product shortages, etc.
Low price? Huh? Where?
THe electronics in the AMiga 500 should have it at a price point some around
$250.00, retail. The 2000 should be _maybe_ as high as $800.00, _only_ because
of the price of the dram in it.
–BEn-
Some people sure live in a dream world. Even at the prices CBM charges, their
profit is MUCH lower than any of the major IBM clone makers or Apple. As a
dealer, I can tell you that the retail profit is so low that we no longer
consider ourselves as Amiga dealers that have a huge (over 850 titles) s/w
selection. Our dealership is now a s/w retailer that will get (note: NOT
STOCK) an Amiga. Why? The profit margin sucks! Within the past 60 days, one
dealer folded and another closed their retail front and switched to mail order
only. At least two others are in serious trouble.
No, CBM prices are VERY fair. They may lower the 500 to buy more market
penetration, but nothing is wrong with the present price structure. The
problem lies with their marketing approach – it's too amateurish, simplistic,
and unfocused. They also need to support their dealer network by eliminating
mail order discount houses as did Apple, and support a more realistic dealer
profit margin. I don't know of any dealer that is going to sell, for long, a
$1000 item at 10% profit, and then provide the kind of customer support that is
needed. Yet that is exactly what is being forced on the Amiga dealers.
Looking back on the first paragraph, of course the "we" is our dealership –
Computer Quest in Seattle. I don't pretend to speak for anyone else.
Ben,
I'm sorry to say this, but A) You are not being realistic about the pricing of
either machine and B) you are being demogogic about the value of the 2000 re
dram prices.
Be serious, do you REALLY think the 2000 should sell for $800. Maybe $999
would be a better price now, in view of the 2500 and the impending new
announcements of the 2630 board, the *nix system, 1.4 and the ECS. Given the
newer technology, the pricing should be realigned when they come out. I.e. an
Amiga 3000 (with the 2630) should perhaps sell for around $2500-2800 base
price, (initially, to recoup R&D costs — later to drop to the $2300 level),
thus bringing the 2500 down to around $1999 and the 2000 to 999, the 500 might
then be priced (base, w/o monitor) at around $300-$400.
Of course, this is nothing but the broadest speculation on my part, since A)
the hardware and software have not even been released yet, and B) How the heck
could *I* (or you) know about the cost of materials + R&D + other expenses
(whatever they may be)?
–Gabe <putting on the asbestos clothing…>
Just one thing regarding you're pricing schedule: you say a 3000 with the
2630. Hopefully, a 68030 will be integrated on the motherboard and won't need a
separate card!
— Ethan
Ethan, hmm.. then would that mean that even chip mem would run at the speed the
68030 is running it? If so, then it would be fast!
Khalid.
Khalid,
It would indeed. Problem is that it need not be that way. The 68030, like the
68020 can talk to slower ram/devices, so the CHIP mem could be running slower
than the other mem and the '030, and it would still work. A 32 bit bus, if it
included the CHIP bus and the 32 bit-wide custom chips to handle it would be a
screamer though, even running at the same speed they are now.
-larry
Larry, yeah.. and we keep on wishing and dreaming. (grin)
Khalid.
Well, I don't think such a view of the 3000 is wishing. There are
currently the 500, 2000, 2000HD and 2500. Obviously, the 3000, being a
different number even, is going to be well above the 2500 otherwise they'd call
it the 2500cx or something. Of course, we'll pay for the quality.
— Ethan