#Support numbers
13 messages in this thread
That was quite a while ago, and an old president. (Can't remember which
one…there have been so many). 🙂 They currently have 800 numbers for
support. At least they announced that quite a few months ago.
Steve
The "old president" that axed the 800 number was Rattigan.
-sja
Everybody reported that the 800 numbers were going to be in place, but
funny thing – nobody published the 800 number.
All the mags ran the story for the number was never given. I assumed it
was to be packaged with the CPU's. Maybe the number is a secret 🙂
– Roy Pahnke – Crazy Mountain Software
Casper, Wyomin' – 1-800-76 AMIGA
Roy,
The number was supposed to be included in the A500C packages, not
any of the other Amiga packages at this point in time. Since the 'C' model
is going to be sold in the mass market….the place where it was bought
probably wouldn't be able to provide support.
The other models are supposed to be bought from a dealer, so it'd
be up to the dealer to support those models.
Not having seen an A500c package…I don't know if the number is in
there or not.
Don
Don – I haven't seen one of those packages yet either Don.
I have also heard that once you call that number they are going to try
to to direct one to a local service center first. -> A primary objective
IMHO – if this service/support thing is going to work for them, cost wise
that is. I mean, alot of these machines are going to be sold in the MM
stores, in Major Metro Areas, there is bound to be a local service center
available. C= is going to try to get the units repaird locally rather than
having to go through with the actual expence of the FedExpress pickup.
Don't you agree!
I think the FedExpress deal is mostly a marketing ploy (A good one, mind
you) that is going to be used a little as possible.
Also, Don, once that 800# is published (and this means published
somewhere within the packaging of the new 500c's) doesn't that generally
release that number for public use. If the number now is in effect,
wouldn't DirAss-800 have that number (800.555.1212).? So, don't you
think that once that number is made available to one group of Amiga owners,
then others will soon get their hands on it and use the number. There are
plenty of current A owners that may be having a problem and have no dealer
and want to call C=, will they be refered back to the Non-TollFree #?
Generally – What is stopping anyone from spread that number around, once
they find out what that number is?
Now, mind you – I have missed most of this thread, so don't know what you
have already discuss. I just thought that is was curious that all the
media announced the 800 #, but never gave the number. Don't you think it
is kind of strange for the Marketing types to say you have an 800# but not
tell anyone what that number is?
– Roy Pahnke – Crazy Mountain Software
Casper, Wyomin' – 1-800-76 AMIGA
Roy,
On one issue…no, you can have an unlisted 800 number just as you
can have an unlisted home phone number. So 800 information not having the
number is no indication of its existance or not.
As to the number getting around…sure it might, but the vast
majority of users still won't have access to it…since they'll have no
contact with someone who may have the number. But even if they did get it,
and it's a legitimate call…so what?
Don
Not really. If a number is unlisted, the number will show up on
information as "unpublished," and often times the operator will tell you
that there is someone like the person you are looking for, but the number
is unlisted. So by calling information, you can find out whether or not a
number exists.
John
John,
Not so. Unpublished and unlisted numbers are different things.
If a number is unpublished, when you call information you get,
"That number is not available at the customer's request". If the number is
unlisted, you get "I can't find a listing for that party."
Customers with unlisted numbers don't show up at all in the
information listing. Customers with unpublished numbers do show up, but
their number doesn't.
I used to have to deal with phone security all the time,
unpublished numbers were easy to get from them. Unlisted numbers could
only be obtained under very specific circumstances.
Don
Don –
That's what I say "So What", but is C= planning on handling these calls
another way. Will they refer some back to the toll #.
– Roy Pahnke – Crazy Mountain Software
Casper, Wyomin' – 1-800-76 AMIGA
Roy,
No idea if they'll refer them to a toll # or just answer the
question. I would suspect they'll answer the question…but that's only a
guess.
Don
I had the impression that the main reason for the 800 number was to give
users in the hinterlands someone to talk to to get through the basics —
how to set up the hardware, what is a "startup-sequence", what is that
window I get if I do "info" on an icon, etc.
Now, I think that's wonderful, since the first computer I ever owned was an
Amiga, and for the first six months, learning the basics made me CRAZY
since the docs were AWFUL. But, I never had the impression that the 800
number was for much more than that. (BTW — for lurkers, the new docs for
AmigaDOS are now a LOT better. Not great, but very usable.)
?|^] Ray Lewis
Yes Ray –
It probably is for those types of questions too. My point is, now that
you have had your A500 for 6 months or more. How do you get that number?
They aren't publishing the number, except only in the new A500c packages.
What if you still had questions (I don't know – maybe you do? But then
again you have CIS), you are out in the sticks and you read about the
number, but nobody has told you that number yet. Does anybody know the
new 800 number? Can we spill the beans and type it out in a message here
for all to see? Why is C= hinding this number in cereal boxes (oophs 😉 I
meant A500 boxes)?
– Roy Pahnke – Crazy Mountain Software
Casper, Wyomin' – 1-800-76 AMIGA
Roy,
The number is given as part of the 500c package…something you
should never see…since you work for a dealer thus would have the 500p
package.
If the machine is sold thru a dealer…the dealer is supposed to
support it. If it's sold thru a mass marketer (the 500c package) then CBM
is supposed to handle the support.
That's why it's in the box….so only those who are supposed to use
it…get it.
Don