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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: otter who wrote (17574)	2/18/1998 11:35:00 AM
From: Mohan Marette	Respond to of 97611

[Whatever happened to CPQ's BTO plans??] Ray as far as I know CPQ's BTO plan is on track and being implemented if it hasn't been already. Perhaps someone with more info will post here on the subject.

To: otter who wrote (17574)	2/18/1998 11:41:00 AM
From: Roads End	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 97611

Ray...Take a look at CPQ web site. I checked it out yesterdeay and you can order direct from them and configure the system the way you want it. Is that considered BTO? I also compared prices with the other mail order players and couldn't see any significant price differentiation when you consider comparable features and shipping costs. CPQ's quoted price includes shipping. The way this stock is trading today you would think it is CPQ's earnings that will be released later this afternoon. At some point comparisons between the two will have to decouple as CPQ is a much different company than is Dell.

To: otter who wrote (17574)	2/18/1998 8:26:00 PM
From: Mike Gordon	Respond to of 97611

<if GTW is successful in merging the BTO (Build to Order) merchandising model with a retail mode> Ray, I think I heard about the GTW retail experiments on the CPQ thread. I'm not aware or their success rate. If the GTW retail outlet is dedicated to GTW product only, the store will probably do well until the novelty is gone. I would prefer to see a marketing effort as seen with the MICRO CENTER stores, (Northern Virginia and Philadelphia). The last time I visited their stores, the presentation was outstanding, floor space was adequate, and the prices fair. Sales people didn't appear to be on commission and I left with the impression that they earnestly wanted to help. Featuring CPQ units in Radio Shack was a brilliant move. I hope the sales people are well trained and they dedicate enough floor space to properly display the product. CPQ should take responsibility for this by sending local representatives to the store to answer questions, etc. (Not an expensive formal training program.) Well Dell did fine this quarter. This should bode well for CPQ tomorrow. Due to covered calls, I'll loose my holdings at 32.5. Time to short puts Friday. My concern is the overall market. It's overbought. However a sell off will become a buying opportunity for CPQ, LU, INTC, AMAT, etc. Just my humble opinion. Good Luck, Mike Gordon