Re: Model 4D keyboard - FYI: Dealing with Computer News 80

Chris Young wrote:
Thanks Doug,
(Nice site by the way :-))
I know exactly what you mean about communication/emails/personal contact
etc. That's one of the reasons I was kinda shocked. You saw the
communications I posted. Not to bore you, but this is what I felt actually
happened.
I initially was interested in converting one of my TRS-80's over to include
a couple of 3.5 drives. I asked him about the process and the parts I would
need and asked him if I bought them directly from him, could he make me a
package deal. It was around noon, but he said he would work one up and send
it to me the next day. Everything was perfectly normal.
He sent me this quote the next day:
------------------------
2 each 3.5" disk drives @ $48 each $96.00
2 each custom drive cables @ $10 ea 20.00
50 3.5 DD 720K disks 22.50
Model iii/4 Emulator 59.95
LDOS 5.3.1 Operating System 7.00
$205.45
Shipping 10.60
Total $216.05
--------------------------

I replied with the, "This is my Package deal price"? It was the same price
he sells this stuff for in his eBay store.
The rest of the conversation I posted already.
That day or the next day I went ahead and ordered the cables. That was when
he blocked me from his eBay store and sent the "vacation" responses.

I felt he saw since I only wanted the cables at that point, he probably got
pissed at me for not spending the $200+ with him right there. Furthermore,
he probably figured I would go elsewhere to look for the drives, so he
wasn't going to help me by selling me the cables. Which after all of this
was over I did look elsewhere. I found them easily on eBay from other
computer parts recyclers. The cables for a couple of bucks each. The 3.5's
for example with jumpers for $12 a pair INCLUDING shipping that work GREAT.
If his margins were that "tight" as he inferred. he needs to look for other
suppliers....

My intention was sincerely not to LOW BALL the guy. Like I said, I
appreciate that there is someone still dedicated to doing what he does and
the man needs to get paid for what he does. But to tell me he would work up
a package deal for me then not. Then the rest, was messed up. In the last 2
weeks getting back into this old computer stuff (C-64 & TRS-80 stuff), I
have spent more than $1000 on this stuff on eBay alone etc.. So buying
things from him was NEVER an issue. I was a potential customer and he in
effect, "slammed the door in my face".
I understand the guy is a "guru" of sorts with this stuff and I can respect
that, but it's no excuse to be a jackass either.

Doug, as you would probably agree. Keeping a 100% perfect selling and buying
record on eBay since 98' was no EASY task by any stretch. But I've done it.
If you treat people fairly it comes back to you and so do the customers.
Okay, I've rambled enough about this.
Nice to meet you by the way. ;-)
-Chris


Hi Chris,

Thanks for the compliment about my site. It's been a fun part of the
hobby for me as I enjoy web development.

Back to CN80. I still think you are being too harsh. Yes, I agree, it
wasn't polite to block you. If I were in their shoes I'd have handled it
differently. But the motivation was probably not because of a lost
sale, but rather an avoidance of confrontation.

As for the profit margin. Lets take a look at CN80's eBay profile.
They've been an eBay member since 2000 and have 1305 feedback (only 1
negative I might add). This works out to 217 feeback (which I'll call
sales) per year (roughly, I know). That is not a very high sales
volume. Now, assuming a profit of $50 per sale, that is $10,850. Not a
huge income for a business. And I doubt the profit per sale averages
$50. It's probably a lot less.

The 720k drives are expensive. But that doesn't mean CN80 can sell them
for a lot less. When did they buy them? How much did they pay? They
probably can't buy in as large a quantity as some other power sellers.
Plus CN80 guarantees those drives. I bought a power supply from them.
It didn't work when I got it. They sent another one to me before I had
even mailed the first one back. Would the seller of the $12 drives do that?

Again, you're right. Blocking your email is not the most cooth
(spelling?) way to tell a customer there is no deal. But I can certainly
see why there wasn't one.

Nice to meet you too Chris. Always good to talk to another TRS-80
enthusiast!

Regards,
--
Doug McComber
http://www.VintageComputing.net/
.

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