Re: Trying to be calm about Alltech

[Mr Fixx <mrfixx@ticon.net>]

I purchased one of the larger hard drives for my IIgs and it worked just
fine when I installed it.  It booted into GS/OS right away without error.
When I was talking to them they DID inform me that they were on backorder,
but nevertheless the drive showed up in about 2 weeks exactly as I had
ordered it.  I am sorry to hear  that you had trouble with them.  I am
planning on ordering a Focus card for my IIE in a couple of days, will see
what happens then...
Chris


"Steven M. Fish" wrote:

> I hope I'm just running into a streak of bad luck.  If everything works
> out, the major problems I'm dealing with should be resolved by the end
> of next week.  If this is the case, I will post a more positive review
> here.  Hopefully someone can give me reassurance that dealing with
> Alltech Electronics (aka Computer Circulation Center, Inc.) is not
> always this problematic.
>
> A little over a week ago I placed an order via the online order form at
> Alltech Electronic's web site for a 320M Focus Hard Drive for my Apple
> IIgs.  The price listed was $99.  A little steep, I thought, but worth
> it to speed up booting into GS/OS.  I received a confirmation letter
> from the company that I assumed meant the order would be shipped the
> next business day.
>
> A few days later, I decided to call and find out whether the drive card
> was shipped.  After having trouble locating my order, the lady I spoke
> with informed me the drive had not been sent out.  This is completely
> understandable since many small businesses are overworked and
> understaffed.  She also told me that the 320M drives weren't available
> anymore and that they were now offering a 60M drive.  Since my storage
> needs were fairly limited, and since she reassured me this would be
> plenty of room for my IIgs, I figured this was fine and ordered the 60M
> drive for $79.  Still a steep price, I thought, especially considering
> the amount of storage was sliced to about 1/5 its original size, but the
> price was only reduced by 1/5.  Oh the price we pay to keep our toys in
> working order.  :)
>
> Much to my surprise a few days later, Alltech's web site was updated to
> indicate the new reduced hard drive size, but the price wasn't the $79 I
> was charged, but $69.  Although this is a small difference, I was a
> little disappointed that I had been overcharged.  Anticipating being
> able to boot my IIgs quickly and see GS/OS on my monitor for the first
> time, I didn't get too upset.  I appreciated (and still do) the fact
> that this company was still willing to produce these drives over a
> decade after the last IIgs was sold by Apple.
>
> The drive showed up last night!  I read what was legible in the owner's
> manual (some pages were badly copied so almost every left page was
> missing the first line of text.  The main ideas were pretty clearly
> communicated, however, and I figured it was better than nothing.  After
> taking precautions to ground myself thoroughly this morning, I installed
> the drive in slot 7.  A smile crossed my face as I watched GS/OS start
> to load immediately after powering up the computer.
>
> That smile soon turned to a grimace as I got an error that stopped the
> boot process in its tracks:  "Sorry, system error $0027 occurred while
> loading the FST files."  Actually, this error message has changed from
> the first time I encountered it, but this is the one currently showing
> up on my screen.  Previously it was more specific about it having
> trouble with the file "Char.fst" and before that it seemed to get a
> little further in the process, but I unfortunately didn't write down
> this error message.
>
> Now, I understand the reality that magnetic media can show up DOA.
> Especially taking into consideration the idea that this drive is
> probably used and old, I can cut Alltech quite a lot of slack.  I turned
> to the owner's manual to read about this kind of trouble and it said I
> should replace files on the hard drive using the floppy they enclosed.
> I tried to boot from the floppy and it's not bootable.  In fact, I
> received an "Unable to load ProDOS" error. *Sigh*  I'll admit I don't
> really know what this means, but I have to wonder aloud if the disk is
> any good at all.
>
> After everything that had happened so far, I expected to not have to
> incur any more cost for getting this drive working or get a
> replacement.  Upon calling Alltech, my expectations were not met with a
> positive experience.  I called the toll free number listed on their web
> site and tried to explain all the trouble I was having (including being
> overcharged $10 for the drive).  The sales person (same woman as before)
> became quite defensive and accused me of potentially damaging files on
> the drive by using the floppy.  I'm not sure why she jumped to this
> conclusion since I was very clear that I couldn't even get into the
> floppy to move files.  An office mate of mine, who has done support and
> sales of various kinds, and who sat in my office as I made the call said
> my tone was one of frustration, but not of being unreasonable.  I really
> do believe I was not mean or unreasonable with her.  I apologize in this
> public forum to her and the company if I am mistaken.
>
> Anyway, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was now going to have to
> call a long distance number to get tech support (another charge for
> which  I believe I should be compensated) and get a diagnosis for the
> drive and an RMA#.  After finishing my discussion with the saleswoman, I
> called Tony in tech support.  A very knowledgeable man, he diagnosed
> that the drive was not working and needed to be replaced.  The first
> step in this process was to get an RMA# which meant being sent right
> back to the same saleswoman - all on my long distance bill.
>
> She hauled up my order number and gave me an RMA# so I could return the
> card.  She then informed me I was going to have to pay for the shipping
> to get this defective merchandise back to them. At this point I am
> planning to ship the drive back to Alltech and wait for them to ship me
> a replacement drive, but I must admit I'm a bit disillusioned.
>
> I'm writing this message in search of (hopefully) some positive feedback
> from this group about Alltech to renew my faith in this company.  I want
> to believe they are a good company and that my experience is a fluke.
> I'm more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope
> that with a little patience everything will be fixed soon.  With no less
> than $100 in costs to me up to this point (IMO about $20-$40 more than
> this process should have cost)  in long distance, shipping, and product
> costs, I am looking for some positive resolution and feedback soon.
>
> Thanks for taking the time to read this and responding with honesty.
>
> Steven M. Fish