CompuServe Thread

#Upgrade Mania

8 messages in this thread
#60697From: Shawn RandolphJul 24, 1993 9:01 PM
Hello All, As we are all excited about the new upgrade there are some of us disgrutled at Newteks expontential cost upgrades. I understand that to improve and survive to support us in the future a profit must be made. I agree whole heartedly in this respect. My company would be not be able to support our customers without a little coming in as well. However, whatever happen to giving your user base the best possible deal on upgrades? What concerns me is that low end production houses like mine have moved over to the Toaster at the cost of close to $2,000. For a small business thats quite a bit of money, especially when the board was bought 3 months before the VT4000's release. Now Newtek is saying for you dedicated users cough up $700 more for just software! For $1100 I could buy a almost new Toaster card, it seems almost unfair that an "upgrade", software wise, could cost so much. I understand that the 2.0 boards turned into them are not worth much in an upgrade but it does seem that $1200 is excessive. In the cost scale $1,800 is just as inaccessable as $1,200. I feel like I am buying the Toaster all over again. Does anyone else out there feel the same way? It seems I have heard more positive comments than negative, but I had to add my small company 2 cents.<g> I know some of you all will not like the comments that I have posted but I fealt that we are quickly losing touch with what certain company's are doing (Newtek, naaaa, never). Ciao all, Shawn Randolph Silent Paw Productions
#60702From: Michael C. NielsenJul 24, 1993 9:57 PM
Hmm, well, I just bought a used Toaster 2.0 about a month ago for $1400 and now I am faced with the same upgrade choice that you have. Given that I paid $1400, I don't feel too bad. I reason that I can get the new board and software for the old board for around $1800 and then sell the old board with the new software for around $1200. At least that is theory <g>. In that way, I get the new Toaster for around $1800 plus a few hassles installing, and removing, trodding off the UPS, getting the new card, installing it, etc. I think if I had paid $2000 just a few months ago, it would be a different story though. I wish that a company as hip as NewTek would develop some dicounted prices for people in your position. It would only be fair.
#60833From: Anthony RamirezJul 27, 1993 4:35 PM
>As we are all excited about the new upgrade there are some of us >disgrutled at Newteks expontential cost upgrades. >Does anyone else out there feel the same way? I do. I do. This is just a hobby for me (for now) and I bought a Toaster in January thinking that they were going to raise the price on the upgrade then I heard that they actually lowered (sp?) it! And that is for the NEW board! Since I only bought it for LightWave (even though I could use some of the other features) I can't see myself spending the $600-800 just for software upgrade. Not only that but they have also made a deadline for the Hardware upgrade. Something tells me they just made this deadline to motivate people to upgrade, not because they won't upgrade after that. I hope! <<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
#60846From: Shawn RandolphJul 27, 1993 9:06 PM
Yes alas, Tis sad, very sad. I am afraid that Newtek, while dabbling in MAC land, was infected by the hideous "lets overprice" beast. If you look at the quality software that comes out for the MAC and then compare it to the prices on other platforms like the Amiga there is a huge difference. My company will not be a giant overnight but at least schools can afford Silent Paws pricing <g>. I also do not cover my Amiga label with a stupid Toaster sticker (just had to say that 🙂 ). Oh well, after my latest bought with Newtek telling me that my ailing board needs to come back to NewTek I am bummed. I had just replaced the Denise and both CIA chips with no effect on my problem. Did NewTek Tech support apologize for my now $60++ set of new chips I did not need Noooooooooo (Just getting an attitude). Hey look OpalVision……….Naaaa just kidding but with any more Tech support I will stop persueing this $2000 dongle for Lightwave. Ciao all, Shawn Silent Paw Productions
#61249From: Don dalfonzoAug 3, 1993 9:00 PM
? I bought the toaster about a month before the upgrade was announce assured by their tech people that the 4000 system wouldn't be available until July or Sept at the earliest – I 'm glad somebody else in Amigaland isn't jumping on the Newtek you're wonderful bandwagon – while I feel the upgrade pricing is reasonable for those that have owned the sytem, they are not or at the very least leaves a bad taste when one has just purchased the sytem a month before the upgrade.. Then to add insult to injury there are ads in the video rags stating that if you buy the old toaster you get 3.0software for no extra charge! Of course having to do all this by Aug. 31 is a nice touch also. It's is amazing what a little success will do for the greed factor…Still is a nice product – have to hand them that. Don D'Alfonzo VA Management Training Center Wash. DC
#61318From: Shawn RandolphAug 4, 1993 7:44 PM
Thanks Don, Here, Here! When I bought mine I was told by Newtek, "Aw too bad, did not get one with a Free Upgrade Certifiacte." How infuriating! My company shelled out nearly $2000 for this card and they had the gall to say "If only you had waited." NewTek has miffed quite a few people over this and the sad part about it is they do not care. There are too many people lined up willing to literally throw their money at the company, why so they care about what to do with the people who purchased their cards within 2 or 3 months of release. Oh well, that's capitalism and where would my company be without it<g>. Ciao for now, Shawn
#61497From: Arnie CachelinAug 7, 1993 6:14 PM
according to a letter in Video Toaster USer from someone in your position, NewTek is going to handle cases like this on a individual basis, so you should probably call and write until they cut ypu a better deal.
#61572From: Shawn RandolphAug 8, 1993 4:33 PM
Hmmm, I will try and call them and ask about the upgrade. What the heck they may say yes. Thanks for the info. Ciao Shawn Silent Paw Productions