A LART is needed (was: VCF 4.0)

From: Mark Gregory <gregorym_at_cadvision.com>
Date: Wed Oct 18 19:03:21 2000

----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron Nabil" <nabil_at_SpiritOne.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: A LART is needed (was: VCF 4.0)

> That's a prefectly reasonable rationale, and the Vendor X doesn't become
> any more "unreasonable" or less "sane" or "logical" becuase he didn't
> hand out a leaflet explaining what he was doing.
>
< lots snipped >

Aaron, the reasons you give are rational and possibly defensible business
decisions, but they might be irrational and counterproductive in the
"Classiccomp" world. We are still a (relatively) small community of
collectors/preservationists/whatever. The wonderful exchange of information
and stuff that is the list depends on a degree of trust and goodwill.
Anyone repeatedly acting against the prevailing ethos in the community
risks a bad reputation or even "shunning" by the rest of the community.

For example, if I know that someone routinely dumpsters machines or pulls
them apart and sells the bits on eBay, I won't give them my [insert
favourite comp here] that I don't have room for anymore. Look at what
happened to the computer museum that _allegedly_ chopped up rare computers
to make gift shop items; they acquired a hugely bad rep. that still haunts
them from time to time.

Similarly, if I hear that a vendor's prices are way out of line (compared
to documented market values) and they're not willing to negotiate, I won't
waste my time with them. I can always look for other sources or just wait
for them to get a clue.

So business decisions that in theory are rational and defensible can hurt a
company if it's selling to a small community of buyers (as most classic
computer dealers are).

Regards,
Mark.
Received on Wed Oct 18 2000 - 19:03:21 BST