Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf
From: mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: New PC Retail store.
Message-ID: <3799@osu-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-Jul-87 00:25:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: osu-eddi.3799
Posted: Tue Jul 14 00:25:16 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 16-Jul-87 00:59:59 EDT
References: <452@osupyr.UUCP> <3787@osu-eddie.UUCP> <461@osupyr.UUCP>
Reply-To: mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman)
Organization: StrongPoint Systems, Inc.; Columbus, OH. (guest of Ohio State U.)
Lines: 65

In <461@osupyr.UUCP> glazer@osupyr.UUCP (Jon Glazer) writes:
> In reply to a previous reply from an "in-the-know" kinda person, I feel it
>is my duty to defend my previous posting.
>
>They have done all of this research and
>much more for the sole purpose of "making it" in a nearly saturated market.

I personally have great respect for anyone that has the guts to try
and compete in the retail market here.  For those unfamiliar with the
situation, Micro Center is a two outlet retail company.  Both stores
are in Columbus.  These two stores are the 8th largest CHAIN in the
world, compared with Inacomp, Computerland, etc.  I hear they are
moving two million dollars a month in floppy diskettes alone.  They
sell many items cheaper than other dealers can buy them. 

> While it may be true that the very techinical problems may be hard to
>work out immediately, they have always been able to find the solutions.

It is my impression that this store is a good place for students to
shop.  Especially first time buyers.  It is also my opinion that this
store should not be selling anything more complicated than
stand-alone, single-user machines.  Their knowledge of networks and
packages other than the "Top 10" is very limited.  So, if you need a
machine for serious use at home (not a toy), check them out.  If you
need a machine for your company, talk to a consultant first.

>And,
>they have facilities to do most repair work in the shop.  One advantage to
>working out of a store rather than a bedroom (also a little easier on the mind
>from my stand point).

By the way, we do most of our own repairs as well.  When our financing
comes through, we will be moving to a real office.  It's a little too
cozy at the staff meetings here :-).  Everybody has to re-start
somewhere...  I've been doing consulting and custom programming of
micros for various companies for about 6 years.  My present company
has been incorporated for 2 years, but has only been a full-time
occupation for just 3 months.  The rest of the time was spent
part-time, while we worked for other value-added resellers and waited
for non-compete agreements to expire. 

>When I posted the previous article, I was not just doing a favor for the
>store, I was doing the general OSU public a favor by informing them of an
>option to going out to Micro Center or wherever.  I do not knock people who
>are in themselve distributers of equipment.  I did it myself for sometime and
>I know some others who are currently doing so. 

My previous tirade had more to do with the ignorance of the average
retail store sales person, and the unwarranted trust most buyers have
in them, than with this store in particular.  I am sorry if I got off
track. 

> This will be the last posting for the store and hopefully that will be that.

Sorry Jon, I couldn't let this drop without appologizing to you and
your friend's store as well. 

-- 
< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Mark D. Freeman						    mdf@osu-eddie.uucp
StrongPoint Systems, Inc.				   mdf@Ohio-State.arpa
2440 Medary Avenue				      ...!cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf
Columbus, OH  43202		    Guest account at The Ohio State University
(614) 262-3703
< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >