hsplab@tucc.UUCP (06/09/83)
We have had the unfortunate experience of trying to get headloading pads for our Shugart SA800/801s and I have found it distressing. In most cases we have had it easier begging, borrowing and stealing them than buying them. Here is the senerio: 1) I called up Shugart and asked them for information on replacement headpads. They sent me a parts list with price (#50542-0 load button assm - $1.50 ea) and a note that the minimum order was $25. I somehow felt that buying 17 head load pads was not my idea of a replacement part. End part I. 2) I considered $1.50 outrageous for the part, but I was willing to pay for it. At the time, I was living in Minneapolis and discovered that there was a Shugart repair facility there. I called up the local center and the person I talked to offered to send me one felt pad. I thanked him. End part II. 3) Shortly thereafter I moved to Chapel Hill NC where there is a shortage of computer technology and Shugart head pads. One of my other drives cooks a head pad, an event which I am discovering to be either an annual or biannual event. One of my friends in Minneapolis gives Shugart a sob story and finally asks what the poor user is supposed to do. Shugart mentions that Hamilton-Avnet stocks repair parts (great!??). He calls Hamilton - Avnet who promptly states that they do not deal with individuals and that was final. He calls Shugart back; Shugart calls HA and HA calls my friend stating that they would sell him some headpads (thats using influence and making friends?). We ordered a dozen pads between the two of us. Four months later, we finally got the parts. I now have enough pads to last several years, but the experience is not particularly pleasing. I have found the local Hamilton-Avnet to be equally uncooperative (the one in North Carolina) particularly for small orders. The moral of the story is good luck! I even tried to make my own pads, but found that they didn't work too well especially at double density. One of my friends at 3M working in their floppy research division also told me that they had the experience of frequent head pad replacements on the Shugarts. David Chou, Univ of NC, Chapel Hill ....duke!tucc!hsplab
dpm@ritcv.UUCP (06/13/83)
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darrelj@sdcrdcf.UUCP (06/15/83)
I can only directly speak for dealing with Hamilton Avnet in Los Angeles, but the trick to dealing with them as an inidivdual is to state up front that you want to place a will call order (if they insist on a company name, say "my name" consultants, or some such); then drive over to their place of business, find the will-call desk and pay for the merchandise. (This avoids all their concerns about your credit-worthiness, etc). Many distributors will take small will-call orders. (Not much help in Further Podunk, but a real advantage in large metro areas).