Commodore Enquiry
18 June 1994
It's not the coffin they carry you off in, but the prof which straddles the boffin.
I'm "Phoning Honey" of Gee Eff Kee Ltd. I've been on the old mon and pon this week, trying to ascertain the exact story behind the financial difficulties suffered by Commodore's US sisters.
Come on - have a listen!
1. DIXONS, WEST EALING
US: My little son has an Amiger 12,000 I bought him when he was born. Now he tells me that the company which makes them has spent the money I gave them and haven't any left. Is this so?
DIXONS: Yes - they've gone bust. But Wang still do the servicing, and we're doing a great A1200 pack for £269.99.
US: We don't care about any of that. Will anyone be taking the company over?
DIXONS: Yes, I've heard a couple of firms are interested in buying CBM.
US: The names - we must have the names.
DIXONS: I really don't know.
US: Listen: my son has been told by Mr Carols that it might be illegal to own one of these Amigers.
DIXONS: I don't think that's true.
US: Well, thank you so very much.
2. HAMLEYS
US: I'm thinking of buying my stupid girlfriend a computer. I wanted an Amiga, but Commodore have been killed.
HAMLEYS: Well, yuh, but there'll be no hassle for new games, and I've heard it's good news on the "new gear" front.
US: What are you talking about, daddy?
HAMLEYS: A Japanese firm is taking CBM over and they'll continue development of new technology.
[missing page]
3. TANDY, FULHAM
US: I like computers, and I feel like being sick over a basin because of this news about Commodore.
TANDY: What news?
US: Hey, c'mon y'awl - I'm talkin' 'bout the finance hoe-down.
TANDY: At shop level, we don't get to hear about that.
US: So what do you do at "shop level"?
TANDY: We sell electrical products. We continue to sell Commodore items.
US: Do you remember a case a few years back when Kodak brought out an instant camera and Polaroid complained and Kodak had to give away free films?
TANDY: No.
US: Well, I thought perhaps I could swap my Amiga for some of those films.
TANDY: Goodbye.
4. TANDY, RICHMOND
US: Do you sell the Amiga?
TANDY: Which one?
US: I don't want to buy one. My son has one, and he's a little worried over these problems Commodore are having.
TANDY: What problems?
US: There was some health scare or something, wasn't there?
TANDY: Commodore US have filed for bankruptcy, but it won't affect Commodore UK. The range of products is very different.
US: Do you know Mr Mangetout?
TANDY: Who?
US: He's a Frenchman who ate an Amiga and became infected. Do you think that is why they went bankrupt?
TANDY: What? I've never heard anything like that.
US: So you don't think that there'll be a problem with my son's Amiga? He won't get a tapeworm off it, will he?
TANDY: I shouldn't think so.
US: Not even if he ate it?
TANDY: No.
Now come on - it's time to see the results.
DIXON: Sensible and quite accurate.
HAMLEY: Couldn't speak for "legal reasons".
TANDY: Didn't know. Only "shop level".
TANDY 2: Refused to admit that anything was awry with Commodore.
Do you know of any important moments from the annals of Digi history that have been omitted? If so, then mail me (superpage58@gmail.com) right now, man. Credit will be duly given for anything that gets put up.
