vax2:kurt (12/10/82)
I am hearing a lot of people who think they have been stung by the JRT pascal people (and others) and feel that they have seen the last of their money. I do wish to say that I hear of people who are indeed getting their JRT pascal, so perhaps with patience yours will arrive too. This used to be a common situation in the hobby computer industry of about 5 years ago. Today that situation has largely been relieved, and people have come to expect prompt service. But really, what did you expect for such a rediculously low price. You can't even get a game cartridge for that proce. But still, if you are really feeling nervous... My experience with mail-ordering is that you should always use a credit card. The reason is this: VISA will give you your money back if the customer doesn't deliver in a reasonable time. You write VISA a letter with your bill saying that such-and-such a company has not delivered any merchandise after billing you via VISA. VISA will insist that you have waited a reasonable period of time (90 days seems to be a reasonable time to VISA), then they refund your money. VISA then recovers your money from the firm by deducting the amount from the next check they send to the firm. VISA can withdraw the firm's ability to do credit card sales (which gives the firm cash faster than waiting for checks to clear). If a firm screws you on a check or money order, it is just you against them, if the firm screws you on a VISA order, it is you and some immense banks against the firm. If the firm goes completely bankrupt, you may still get ripped off, but otherwise you are safer on a credit card transaction.
vax1:witters (12/10/82)
I suggest that those who plan to order JRT pascal should do so COD. This way, if the company doesn't deliver, no one gets screwed. Of course, if the product delivered doesn't work, you may still have some recourse through VISA.
bernie (12/12/82)
Interesting (about VISA being willing to do the dirty work of getting your money back for you). Do MasterCard or American Express offer a similar service? --Bernie Roehl (...!decvax!utzoo!watmath!watarts!bernie)