Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!lll-crg!rutgers!clyde!cuae2!ihnp4!drutx!druhi!med From: med@druhi.UUCP (DrapalME) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: Hippo Software woes (WARNING: FLAMING LETTER) Message-ID: <1524@druhi.UUCP> Date: Tue, 16-Dec-86 14:30:33 EST Article-I.D.: druhi.1524 Posted: Tue Dec 16 14:30:33 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Dec-86 22:00:08 EST Organization: AT&T Information System Labs, Denver, Co Lines: 62 Keywords: DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM HIPPOPOTAMUS SOFTWARE! Xref: mnetor comp.sys.atari.st:442 comp.sys.atari.8bit:74 < and the line eater bursts into flame... > ******************* SEVERE FLAME WARNING ********************* The contents of the message should contain a warning from the Surgeon General. ************************************************************* For those of you who like to see the punch line before you start: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, PURCHASE ANY PIECE OF SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE FROM HIPPOPOTAMUS SOFTWARE OF LOS GATOS, CA. Now for the reasons why: On August 1, this year, I was foolish enough to purchase an EPROM programmer from Hippopotamus Software from a very reputable mail order company. After receiving it a week later, I discovered that the only operation that this programmer could do was to verify that EPROMS were erased (really functional, huh :-( ). So, I called up Hippopotamus and asked what the policy was. They indicated that they had discovered some hardware and software problems with the programmer recently, and asked if I would send both back to them for repair. So I did. After about 5 weeks of waiting for some response, I called Hippo again. They indicated that my unit would be shipped "next week" (computer weeks, of course). After 3 more weeks, I finally received a new programmer. Again, I tried to program some EPROMS, with the very same results!!! Well, now I was furious! Another call, and their secretary answered, claimed ignorance as to what I was talking about, and referred me to the product's developer, Rick Oliver. She indicated that he would not be in until later in the week, and I could call him then. I did get in touch with Rick later in the week, and he indicated that they had found "yet another hardware/software" problem, and that I should send the unit back to him again. Well, call me a fool, I sent it back to them again. And I am waiting again. So after a few more weeks, I called to see what the #$%^ is going on. The phone rings about 20 times, and I finally get ahold of an answering service. They politely talk my message, and indicate that I should receive a call the next day. Well, I didn't. Another call Monday, a lot more persistent with a threat of legal action, again no call. Today I called, and the answering service has been transformed into a mechanical answering machine that indicates that your message will be delivered in one day (sure, and I was born yesterday). I think that you could probably read between the lines and suspect that Hippopotamus Software is out of business (or showing really bad signs of being there soon). My advice is to not purchase ANY of their products, PERIOD. If they owe you money or product, it may already be too late. I don't really know what my options are now, and would appreciate any help that those of you in Netland might provide. I feel a lot better just getting this off my chest, and if it helps even one person out there, I will consider this a success. Myron Drapal AT&T Information Systems Denver, Co. (..!drutx!druhi!med) P.S. Normal disclaimers should be inferred. AT&T has no connection to any of the opinions expressed above, and are probably glad that they don't!