Hello Richard On 03-Sep-02, you wrote: >RLP Obviously by my signature i'm into pc repairs and upgrades. We >RLP also build new custom systems and sell individual hardware. Can I >RLP compete with fry's ? Ah that is an absolute no. For one I don't >RLP deal refurbished items. All those returns that customers bring in >RLP are sold to big companies such as fry's electronics. They will >RLP buy a 100 vid cards at one snap and think nothing of it. I know this - and act accordindly - they have their shrink-wrap machine in virtual open view - they had a lot of problems with rewrapping items and reselling them as new - now they have to put a little sticker on the package - when I bought their $299 system I went thru 3 boxes before I accepted one - returned that and got the $499 Pentium IV system. However I dealt with a person who actually KNEW what he was talking about (maybe the first one at Fry's who knew what was going on.) As an aside - one time I was at Fry's and the electricity went off - no registers - I had a $19.95 item - I told the kid just add on the sales tax and be done with it - the kid had a calculator in his hand and couldn't figure out 8% of 19.95! I swear - this is a true story. >RLP No my business is more about customer service. I consult with the >RLP customers needs, setup the systems, do the installs, and guide >RLP the customer every step of the way, as well as deal with any >RLP defective items so the customer never has to leave the house. I have a friend who does the same - he knows what he is doing - and I can understand the value of premier customer service - however I have had a computer since Timex-Sinclair - so for approx 20 years I have been messing with computers - ran a BBS for a number of years - so I should know the basics and can handle most stuff myself. (Or at least learn to do what I don't know. I also am on total disability - my funds are well extremely limited. >RLP Spend 500 or 600 on xp office or whatever and you might luck out >RLP with two free phone consultations. After that be ready to pull >RLP out your credit card and pay the hourly fee's. We try to avoid >RLP all this. Right now I am sending e-mail on my Amiga A4000 - 060/50 with a PPC at 233mhz. I know a lot may laugh and think you need a 1.8-4 Gighz system - but that is what is needed for the bloated MS software. I have not and will not use or buy ANY MS software. That is why my attention has now also turned to Linux. >RLP It boils down to great customer support or cheap products. Seems >RLP like America is willing to shell out the bucks and get nothing in >RLP return for it. It has been that way for a number of years - most people forget when companies had to EARN your business and dollars - now they just defraud investors, employees and get 100 million dollar salaries, bonuses and stock options. Does anyone really think Kenneth Lay will go to jail? >RLP If your old enough to remember the 50's when Texaco use to have 4 >RLP guys on hand. When you pulled up to the gas pumps one pumped the >RLP gas, one got the windows, another checked the tires and the 4th >RLP checked under the hood. Now you pay bigger prices and do it >RLP yourself. lol I'm old enough - I remember 28 cents a gallon gas - had my father's 1964 Dodge Dart - $2 in the tank and me and my friends could drive around all night. >RLP People accept this as normal customer support now. sad! :-( Very true. Regards -- Rich Woods RealPix/RealtyNet P.O. Box 54335 Phoenix, AZ 85078 602-867-3310 rww@realpix.com Visit Our Award Winning Site! http://www.realpix.com A little caution outflanks a large cavalry. -- Bismarck