Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games
Subject: Re: Mail-ordering software
From: harpesta@loki12.cs.stolaf.edu (-Psionicist)
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 05:40:53 GMT
Organization: St. Olaf College; Northfield, MN

In article <1992Nov15.060151.28748@ariel.ec.usf.edu> stelmack@eggo.tmc.edu (Gregory M. Stelmack) writes:
>In article <1992Nov11.035126.24525@news.stolaf.edu> harpesta@loki12.cs.stolaf.edu (-Psionicist) writes:
>>
>>What are some of the mail-order companies?
>>I am now looking for alternative places to buy software since
>>all of the places in my area, besides my dealer, have stopped 
>>selling AMIGA software.  
>
>What has your dealer done to make you want to stop supporting (him/her) ?
>Working for a dealer myself, I know how tiring it can be for us fixing mail
>order screwups, only to watch customers continue to go mail order. Of course,
>I've also heard dealer horror stories. But, one of the reasons Amiga dealers
>have become scarce is due to the heavy patronage of mail order houses.
>

	Actually, my dealer has done nothing for me to stop supporting him.
That is why I am still supporting him.  I ALWAYS buy hardware from my dealer.
period.  Because I know everything about what I am getting, where to get it 
serviced (if it were to break down) and immediate help for anything that I
need pertaining to my A3000.  Unfortunately this is the only place in my area
(i.e.  Without driving 4 hours distance...)  to buy items for my A3000. 
My dealer knows this and prices his stock accordingly.  Though it is his
right, because he is (or at least is supposed to be) a specialist for the 
AMIGA.  Another reason is that his software stock is always very low.  For
example: If I wanted to buy Eye of the Beholder he would have to order it 
himself then sell it to me when he recieves it.  Most games and software 
that I want he does not have in stock.  And if I would order them through 
him, he would then tack on his extra little money amount for him selling the
item to me.  Why go through this trouble and wait when I can order directly 
from a mail order company at a cheaper rate.  I am a college student.  I do 
not have the extra money to spend, so I save where ever I can.  Also when
there were other places that did sell amiga products in my area, my dealer
encouraged me to buy from those places so that the availability and selection
for items was there.  I always did support them too, because I will gladly
pay a little extra to have the item now (It also meant that I was more
selective with what I bought.  Like I said, I save as much money as possible.)
I am sure that there are other people out there that are like this...  I try
to support local businesses just like I try to support buying American 
products.  note I said try.  It would be hypocritical of me to say that I did
this ALL THE TIME (I probably am hypocritical the way it is... oh-well.)  I
hope that my point is understood.  I think that this is a very good point:
people should support their dealers even though they may have had bad 
experiences with them.  I don't claim to be perfect, but I do the best I
can and (a least I try) admit my mistakes when I make them (and know of them.)

Now that I have preached a little too much...  
This is an interesting topic and I would like to hear other people's opinions
on it.  (That's why I posted this lengthy responce... )

I will be happy to answer any questions on my viewpoint.

-Psionicist

P.S.  Please no flames.  I know it is easy to read something and interpret it 
as being hostile, but I tried not to be.  I (hopefully) tried to start a good
discussion though.  THANKS!

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<>  \)_ ,  -Psionicist                   _/\_ "Rest all ye physical means,  <>
<>  /)  '  harpesta@loki12.cs.stolaf.edu  \/   let thous mind control all." <>
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games