glass@qtc.UUCP (06/02/87)
I have an old TRS-80 Model III that I got as a graduation gift when I finished high school many moons ago. It never did enough for me, so it was practically unused for 10 years. Now I am trying to sell it, just to reduce the amount of baggage I have every time I move. The problem is it is a 16K cassette based system. Most people would like a disk in it, so I looked into it. What I found was that RS wants $399.99 for the first disk/controller/software! At a time when I can get a 20-30 meg hard disk for a IBM-PC for $400 how can RS justify leaving their hardware prices at 1977 levels? I can't personally see spending $400 to upgrade my model III that is, at best worth around $100. Shoot, for the $500 total I could go get a PC clone that is bunches more useful. This is the problem with all manufacturers that make closed architecture/ hardware systems. However, it seems most other manufacturers let their peripheral prices drop along with old product line prices. As I see it, Tandy is just gouging their customers. I won't buy any of their new machines knowing what their hardware pricing policy is... If anyone knows where I might get a better price on a disk, let me know via mail. Or, if you want to buy it... Dave Glass Quantitative Technology Corp. Beaverton, OR
leonard@percival.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) (06/05/87)
In article <288@qtc.UUCP> glass@qtc.UUCP (David N. Glass) writes:
<The problem is it is a 16K cassette based system. Most people would
<like a disk in it, so I looked into it. What I found was that RS
<wants $399.99 for the first disk/controller/software!
<
<At a time when I can get a 20-30 meg hard disk for a IBM-PC
<for $400 how can RS justify leaving their hardware prices at 1977 levels?
Tandy's prices have always been higher than outside vendors.
_However_ this has little to do with your problem. They haven't
dropped the prices because they the cost of the boards hasn't changed.
They quit making those upggrades a few years back you know...
They do occasionally drop prices on upgrades on old equipment, but I suspect
that this is because they've used up the older boards. From all evidence,
they carry their inventory at cost *when acquired* thus if they've still got
old boards, they'll charge the old price.
--
Leonard Erickson ...!tektronix!reed!percival!leonard
CIS: [70465,203] ...!tektronix!reed!percival!!bucket!leonard
"I used to be a hacker. Now I'm a 'microcomputer specialist'.
You know... I'd rather be a hacker."