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

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

"Doug_M" <doug.mccomber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:jjBog.3403$pu3.81865@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks for the warning Chris, but I've had the opposite experience. I've
purchased a half dozen items from CN80 over the past couple of years,
including my Model 4, and I haven't had the problems that you did.

I'm pretty sure these days CN80 is just one guy and I doubt it is his
primary source of income. In fact I'm surprised he still bothers. We
(the TRS-80 community) are lucky to have a TRS-80 business at all. Other
retro computers have several vendors still around (even new ones).

Anyway, I've read in several articles that email is often misconstrued
or misread where if the conversation took place face to face there would
have been no misunderstanding. Maybe (hopefully) that is all that
happened with you and CN80. One thing I'm sure of though, you're not
going to get ripped off by CN80.

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


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