From: sasbge@unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Subject: Re: Deceptive lead times from ZEOS/Occidental
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 02:02:11 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.


Update: It's now two weeks past the original ship date for my 486DX2-66
"custom" system.  I just spoke with my sales rep and he confirmed my
suspicions.  The sales reps have no clue as to *actual* ship dates when
they quote a system order.  They are simply told to say "x" number of
week(s).  When I ordered (on Oct 2) I was told 3 weeks.  It's been five.
My sales rep told me tonight that they have been told to quote TWO
weeks on all new custom orders.  Perhaps if I cancel my original order
and place a new one, maybe it would get here faster ;-)

I have been contacted twice last week by a Customer Service rep.  She
informed me that the Intel 400 Satisfaction modem, the 256K ZEOS cache
memory, the VESA video board and the Viper cartridge tape drive are all
out of stock and this is the delay.  As I stated below, they can't ship
what they don't have, but I am still concerned why they would allow
their sales reps to quote OBVIOUS misleading ship dates.

One positive note, Lotus just released AmiPro 3.0 and ZEOS has got the
upgrades and are shipping the latest on all new orders.  My sales rep
told me that "standard" 486DX2-66 systems have been shipping.  As I
stated earlier below, if you read this and have purchased and RECEIVED
this system from ZEOS, please send me an Email note.  I have to believe
that there are enough people out there who would have posted if ZEOS
is *really* shipping these systems.

The main reason I believe this, is that the "standard" 486DX2-66 systems
all have the "backordered" VESA video boards.  I can't figure how they
could ship a system when they *say* they don't have the standard video
boards.  I suppose they could substitute the board with another...

If you are waiting for your system like me, let me know how long it's
been for you.  I'd love to trade ZEOS stories and see if we can get
to the bottom of this situation.  

For the regular readers, there is no NEW info below this line.


sasbge@unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston) writes:

>I have vented my frustrations in this medium regarding my unfilled order
>from ZEOS.  I am one of those who ordered the new 486DX2-66 systems
>and have not yet heard of anyone who has received a similar system
>from Zeos.  It's now (only) one week late.  I did get a call from a
>very nice (read competent) customer service rep today.  Seems that one
>of the ZEOS net watchers took my complaint and sent it over to 
>Customer Service who then checked into my order and gave me an
>unsoliticed call.  They let me know that my system had *not* gotten to
>production because there are *several* components that are not yet
>in stock.  

>Basically it boils down to the fact the ZEOS cannot built a system
>without all the parts.  Right now, I have discovered that the 
>256K cache chip is Backordered and well as the VESA (video) card.
>The CS rep said there was talk of building and shipping systems with 
>another style card until the VESA cards come in.  Also there is
>*another* piece that is BO'd but the CS rep could not get exactly
>what that was from ZEOS management.  Sounds like they are hiding
>some problem; even from their own people so that whatever it
>is, it doesn't get "leaked".  Anybody out there know?  Please
>don't speculate, just the facts.

>Currently, I am only a week late and (have no choice) will wait
>to see what the next week brings.  I was told two weeks late (last
>week).  I did have a Gateway order active a while back but cancelled
>it for this Zeos system.  Based on what I read on the net, the 
>Gateway systems (486dx2-66 anyway) are having some problems.

>If anybody out there has received a ZEOS/Occidental 486DX2-66 system,
>please let us know.  I don't think *any* systems have shipped and
>I wish I knew what the problem was.

>I'll will say this about ZEOS, other than the delays, their personnel
>*do* seem to truly care about you and your concerns.  I called them
>a lot before placing the order and always got through and got
>answers.  Can't say much for Gateway.  As a matter of fact, when
>I called my Gateway sales rep up to cancel my order, he started
>bashing ZEOS.   The ZEOS folks at least don't do this.  Everything
>considered, I'd rather wait for a ZEOS system that is "ready" than
>get a Gateway and debug it for them.

--
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Gantt Edmiston - SysAdmin     o |If you always do what you have always done,
SAS Institute Inc.          <(  |you'll always get what you've always gotten!
Quality Assurance - V416     [\.+--------------------------------------------
Cary NC 27513 919-677-8000 x6091|          sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware