Computer Traveling sales... Last Sunday.. AND Next Sunday.

["Robert G. Brown" <bob@xxxxxxx>]

In case you have not heard, this coming sunday is another computer sale at 
the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.  I am a regular, and I've known about this
since the last show... last month.

Just imagine my surprise when I came home last Saturday evening and had a
message on my answering machine about a computer sale... the following day!

Yes, I went... and no, I didn't tell anyone, mostly because I wanted to check 
this out, find out who called me, and so on.

As it turns out, a couple of the people who work the established computer sale 
circuit are breaking away and forming their own group, and apparently will 
market independently.

I'd say the "new" sale group is very much smaller than the older, more 
established circuit, but these are ambitious folks, and they will do a
lot to establish themselves and show they can meet demands. 

Overall, prices seemed comparable on many of the items available at the older,
more established sale. There was very little used equipment, lots of refurbs,
and a fair selection of software, processor chips, and memory. I did buy some
stuff, and we'll see how everything works out. Admission was $3.00, as opposed
to $5.00 for the other sale, and it's refundable when you buy something, so
that's at least a nice gesture.

One of the owners of this new show circuit is a fellow I recognize from the
other sale, and he's a high-pressure guy who has a lot of interesting ideas.
One of  these ideas is to hold classes where students assemble computers, so
they know what's inside, and (naturally) buy the parts. Perhaps this is a good
place to look for Linux candidates? 

This new group plans to have sales frequently, and seems to consider Kalamazoo
to be a good place to focus their efforts.  It will undoubtedly be interesting
to see the local competition on te sale circuit heat up, and with Gateway 2000
coming to town.....