mw22+@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Alan Wertheim) (02/24/88)
A few weeks ago I sent a letter to Zip Technologies saying that I would like my money back. They sent me the following generic letter. I am wondering if the letter they sent me was a reply to my letter, or if they sent one to everyone who ordered a Zip Chip. Here is a copy of their letter: ========================= 2-16-88 Dear Zip Chip Friend, We wanted to write you to thank you so much for your patience with us, to explain when you can expect your Zip Chip, and to tell you of a decision we have made. Since it has been so long since we accepted your money and secured your position in line for one of the first Zip Chips, we are going to return your money unless you tell us that you prefer to wait. Here is why. We are very concerned about our reputation. We are not here to hurt anyone and though we will be shipping some of the first Zip Chips shortly, we need to be reassured that you are not feeling injured. We have had problems keeping our production commitments. As design specialists we were not prepared for the run around we got. It's a whole different world out there in the chip supply business; making promises and keeping them seem to be two different things. Well, a three billion dollar company took our order and then began to shuffle us around as they took care of clients like the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense, but we have finally received Zip Chips from them and... They work!!! We have now completed the preproduction run and these are being sent to reviewers and beta test sites. We appreciate the loyalty we have had from people like yourself. Oh sure, some people wanted their money back, and we immediately complied, but even then, most people asked that we bill them again as soon as Zip Chips became available. Of course they lost their place in line fir the early shipment, and there will still be a four to six week wait for new customers until production catches up with back orders. If you want to stay in line for a Zip Chip, just return the enclosed confirmation card and we will keep your order and position in line. IF WE DON'T RECEIVE YOUR CONFIRMATION BY MARCH 5TH 1988, WE WILL CANCEL YOUR ORDER AND REFUND YOUR MONEY. ========================= Notice that the letter doesn't mention when I will get my Zip Chip. They did send me a stamped envelope for my reply. I think I'll just wait until March 5th and see if they refund my money. If they do, and if I start seeing Zip Chip reviews, I guess I'll order one again. Michael Wertheim Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Arpa: mw22@andrew.cmu.edu Bitnet: mw22@cmuccvma