joe@icjapan.uucp (Joe Talbot) (02/21/90)
Who determines "fair market value"? The Merlin is a very basic key system, yet AT&T's prices are the highest in the industry, including Comdial (a US based manufacturer). I have no problem with AT&T charging what they think the system is worth, but I DO have a problem with them telling everyone else what their own stuff ought to be worth. Perhaps the reason Matshushita/Panasonic got the worst of all the garbage was because the KX-T series hybrids were the most serious threat. Most of the others, are not a threat and are, in fact largely garbage. The Panasonic sets are up to what I would consider the old bell system standard as far as sound quality, reliability and intuitive operation. It appears that Panasonic did a really complete job of researching the american marketplace before creating this system, if only AT&T would have done the same! Everyone I know HATES the stupid toy handset and I find it difficult to understand the four pair cabling when everyone else seems content to use two pairs. After a few years of people complaining about the membrane "keys", it looks like they've changed that to real buttons (wow). Even the taiwaneese garbaphones don't have membrane keys. And throw in the "service" and parts prices/availability for when you finally give up and try to do it yourself and FORGET IT! I've been working with the Japaneese over the last few weeks and I will tell you that they are VERY competive and not always honest (especially with us foreign folks) but this dumping stuff is pretty silly. I must congratulate the AT&T folks who have been quite restrained in this matter. Please note that this is not an invitation to flame. I'm typing this on an AT&T computer, in front of me are 4 AT&T 6386wgs computers. I use AT&T long distance. And I just ordered a case of 2500 sets because I CAN'T STAND THE TOY PHONES they have here (exclusively). They will of course be plugged into the KX-T61610 coming with them. Stranded in Japan Joe Talbot "What am I doing here?" Voice Mail 011-813-944-6221 After the prompt: 824 2424