Glenn, I just picked up an x2 modem today from CompUSA. This was my first visit ever to a CompUSA store, and I have to say that I was disappointed with the "experience" there. I didn't spend a long time looking around, and it did seem like they had plenty of choices in terms of product. But I was still really disappointed. I'll tell you and anyone interested why, and you can tell me if I expect too much (this is going to be long, so be prepared):
I went looking to just go in, pick up a USR Sportster Voice 56K internal modem, do a quick check of the store lay-out and products available, and leave.
First, I found the modems right away, behind a glass counter to the left. All the expensive gadgets like PalmPilot and other hand-helds, etc. were either on the wall behind the counter or under lock-and-key under the glass case. Standard setup for stores that don't want to loose any high-end merchandise to shop-lifters. I had noticed on my way in the front door that there was a uniformed security guard posted at the front door, checking everyone's receipt as they left. He was standing beside a sign that read "We reserve the right to search any hand-bag, back-pack, brief-case, etc. as you are entering or leaving the store". Okay. Kind of like an airport. Can't blame 'em for not wanting to get ripped off.
So, I'm at the gadget counter. Salesman looks to be about 20 years old.
Clerk: "Can I help you find something"?
Me: (I point to the modem) "I'd like one of those 56K Sportster Voice fax-modems, internal; the US Robotics".
Clerk: (Puts modem on the counter) "You'd like to take a look at it"?
Me: "Well yeah, I'll take a look at it, but I mostly just want to buy one".
Clerk: (a little hesitantly) "Uh, are you aware there's a war going on over standards"?
Me: (I sigh, let out a short chuckle) "Yes, I'm quite aware of that. It's a war US Robotics is winning, in my opinion"
(Clerk is silent for a moment) "Yeah, but there is no standard yet, that's the thing".
Me: (I'm starting to get annoyed. It's almost as if he doesn't want to close the sale) "So? The thing you should be telling people is that the USR modem is DSP chip-based, so no matter what the standard is, you can down-load the update from USR, FOR FREE. Just last week, USR announced that the update to an eventual standard will be free".
Clerk: "Oh. Well, I guess the modems do work, as long as you don't mind using like, AOL........"
Me: "Come on! There's plenty of ISP's in this area that offer x2! Just go to USR's web-page, they list a bunch of them there. I live across the river in Vancouver even, and there's one ISP that just turned on its unmetered local x2 line last week. I'm signing on with a different one that's turning on its local unmetered line this week".
Clerk: "Oh." (starting to look a little flustered)
I'm on a roll now, and I'm not done yet. (pointing to a Hayes 56K modem) "You know what the problem is with something like that? It's worthless. Worthless for 56K anyway, because right now you can't hook-up to anything that will make it work".
Clerk: "Yeah, that's true".
I'm ready to go. I pick up the modem, and start to turn toward the check-out lines. Clerk: "Oh, if you want to buy that, I'll write you a voucher for it, then you can come back and pick it up". I stare at the clerk. What is he talking about? The clerk whips out a piece of paper, and writes the sku # and price on it, and pushes it towards me. "It's just for now, until we get our registers hooked up over here. This is the way we have to do it. You have to go pay for it, then you can come back and pick up the modem. It will be right here". I glance at the row of check-out registers 10 small steps away. Wow. These people don't trust me to walk 10 feet over to the cash register. Whatever. I follow the procedure, and then go pick up the modem. The clerk apologizes for not explaining the purchase procedure sooner. Whatever. I've lost all interest in the rest of the store, and head for the exit. The security guard at the entrance examines my receipt briefly, then waves me out. Welcome to shopping, CompUSA style. I think I'll just order off the internet next time.
DK |
