European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 25, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes Friday. Match 25,1988 questions on Apple computer answered i am writing this inter to focus attention on prob lems which i believe Many Apple computer enthusiasts in Europe share. My assessment is based on my personal experience that of friends who also own Apple computers and conversations with other owners or Apple computers in the cafes computer shops in Stuttgart and Heidelberg. My frustration began soon after we purchased our Apple i1gs computer in August 1987, and has grown As we be become Mare experienced and knowledgeable about our system ii is probably significant to mention at this Point that the Apple Tigs is the first computer my wife and i have owned. We spent several months trying to decide which comp Iier was right for i and finally decided on Apple. We knew that Apple Wun t Llam compatible but we were attracted by the Large volume of educational software available and impressed by the friendliness of the system. We also look into consideration that five of our Good friends Hud Apple systems and that their expertise could help us get Star cd. What i be found frustrating Hough is the Lack of information available through cafes concerning product enhancement their Lack of technical expertise and poor service. The problem began when i took my image writer ii Printer in for minor repair to the platen guide after having used ii for less than 90 Days. Customer service at slut Garl advised me that repairs could be completed within two or three weeks. They indicated that Hie computer repairman for Apple picked up from them once or twice a week. Three weeks later the Printer was still in customer sen ice and no one could ii me when i could expect the work to be completed. When i brought the problems to management s attention they suggested that Trade my Printer Buck to them for another i accepted their offer and a week later finally had a Printer again. The Bottom line it look Over our weeks to effect a very minor repair. During Tny frequent visits and conversations wild the computer Center at Stuttgart during this period i also inquired about the availability of memory expansion chips for my Apple memory expansion card. The Sutra random Access memory ram these chips pro vide arc necessary for the Apple pigs to run such popular software As deluxe pain ii. Originally i was Lold Thiol the chips were in country and would be Avail Able As soon As they could get them out of Giessen. As weeks passed the Story changed. I was finally told hat cafes had ordered enough chips to meet anticipated demand but apply would t Supply them. No one could provide an estimated delivery Date. Finally in Early january. I was Lold that they did have chips in Stock that would work they were ism chips and i d have to buy one More in each let than i needed but they had been tested and would work. I shucked out 1189 for three sets. To make Long Story Short the chips did t work because i had been sold two types that operated m different speeds. Bottom line it took five months to get the 76bkof memory i needed to run the $60 program i bought from cafes when i purchased the computer. On another trip i found out thai Apple had released a upgrade to the Apple pigs system s  made me a copy but had no written instructions. When asked if in junctions were available the Salesman said thai he thought Apple would be mailing them to registered own ers but was t sure. I got a similar answer when i inquired about distribution of free upgrades o the video graphics controller and rom chips that Apple is providing for certain Cartier models. If 1 received this kind of unsatisfactory service from a computer denier in the United slain i would simply refuse id Ever do business with them again. Unfortunately cafes is the Only game in own in Usa eur. Because they apparently Ere my authorized Apple  anyone who has dealt with Apple understands the significance of that statement i no requesting thai cafes review its responsibilities to me and other Apple computer owners in that Light publicly acknowledge what those responsibilities Are and make a concerted Effort to provide belter ser vice than they Are currently. In addition i would appreciate answers to the following specific questions a. Who repairs Apple computers for cafes Europe docs the contract with Ihm specify How quickly items will be repaired is anyone checking to make sure those provisions Are being met b. What is the real reason that Mentor expansion chips arc l available when will they be available for Purchase in cafes Europe computer centers and at what Price c. Has Apple published written instructions on How to use the 3.1 upgrade of the Apple pigs system disk if so How can i gel a copy d. When will he free video graphics controller and128k firmware rom chips be available in cafes computer cent Erand How can i be assured of receiving them e. Will cafes sell applied engineering s pc transporter formerly cat cd Little Blue which makes Apple compatible with ism the government Kundard if so when win it be available and at Whit Price i appreciate uie help the staff at the Stuttgart com Putes Center has provided me inc problem u trigger Han they ire.  hell Bema West German 1 editor s note u. Col. Charlie White Public Fra officer i cafes Torop. Replies the repair of Apple product i Awe it nor Offenbach warranty repair station. Apple Usa a has Eer tire technician who will be required to hire my repair con pitted within � specified time determined by Apple. With the by curb it Oil Tabakh and the time it take it deliver us recen prod i to and from the Horn re pin should trite about 18 to 21 Dmyia. Apple we liken bar nip tue in it demand for to Grade Kin and u rent then flu been it Ortiz pm in Europe i in inc United Stales for Mienl month. Cafes Etrope experts 360 units to Arr lie Hen by Laic Spring which will rot j54jo cab. Apple anticipate thai the us u Rule maid a n 25sk ram Cen pit in with Only t limited number of people no hiring. Larger memory the computer is told u 1s6k ram Ijar them in be United Stein u Standard con i Findri lion it we anticipated thai same autumns would want to to s11k ind mry Lew would Intraub the Mero Ontjo i Meg. Cafes inlaid Pird c hither actuary need us mils the Apple i1cs � Siik system. In order to enhance their product a Rusty software pah Lahert styled using the full capabilities of the computer us u Reinila caught Apple by Surprise regarding the Notri for upgrade kits. Apple has published written instructions on Haw to a the 3.1 upgrade. Copies ire available from ill Appl service buttons in Europe. The fre video graphics As Well As the free rom Chip upgrades Are now available for those nulls qualifying Lor the up Nde  is based an production Rutt and serial number. The Stuttgart Exchange received ind instilled the first sets in a Nury ind february. Applied engineering s pc transporter is being added to cafes Dock assortment listing. A will have Ibe transformer in the 768k-640k ism Union in $491, the pigs installation kit Al $39.95 ind the Brut Sorbe 360k single Defte 5.js Inch to if you should hate further questions or comments regarding cafes facilities in your area please Contact a my had Chi turd four Exchange i mfr. I one reached in 0711 8s4jm, cafes explains pricing other sales policies 1 would like to address this letter to the people at cafes. Since 1 think they have some explaining Todo. 1 would like for them to give a reason for the drastic Price changes in goods once cafes decides to take Over an operation that seemed to be doing Well before they decided in should be fixed and an Cpl Anacion on who their Market is. Back in 1933, the women s classic Green Wool gab Ardine jacket Cost $34. This was before it was a mandatory Possession item for All those who entered the army before it replaced inc a 344 dress greens today that same jacket costs $64. The skill in 1983 Cost around is i today it is si7. The polyester version of the classic which includes one skin and a pair of Slacks was bios in 1983. Today it is around si25. Is there a reason for the almost 100 percent Mark up for the Wool gabardine jacket atone knowing that the polyester items would Wear out Long before the gabardine the skirt and pants were thrown in so that people could spend another 1125 in two or three years. The gabardine items however take a while longer to Wear out. I have had the did greens since i came into he army in 1979. They Are still in perfect condition and 1 have gotten a lot of Wear from hem. Was in thai cafes decided since the classic would become a mandatory item people would have to buy it and the cafes military clothing sales store could make a Fortune on Hist the other Day 1 walked through my Exchange at voc Lodi and i kept bumping into Liz Ralph and Calvin. No they Aren t members of the military Community. I m talking about Liz Claiborne Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein All designers of exclusive clothing lines that the average Iro Oft like myself canno Tafford. About three Quarter of the second floor in the women s Section had clothing with designer Label. A $70 skirt a j75 shirt and 150 shoes Are you kidding just who exactly Are you serving certainly not the most deserving As your motto states. By the Way 1 noticed the huge clearance signs next la last year s designer clothing. Sorry but a skirt that Sells for 135 is Nat considered on  is this inc alternative we can expect to the Low Dollar Mark Rale if this is it then i m going to continue to advise my troop and friends and their family members to go elsewhere for heir clothing needs. The Thrift shop the local Economy or even my Clos i. The bargains Are belter and cheaper Here sgt. Mena Rusty Kalser Slauter editor s note it. Col. Charlie while pub Lic affairs officer he cafes eur pc replies our Market is military members in ill pay grades civil service employees family members and retirees. Their autos Are As varied my in the world rang ing from expensive designer Label to the Best Quality for the bust Price tills is Wiur Mission Deli Cring qual Ity goads in reasonable prices. Allow me in maj Reid your qum Lons on Milliard clothing sales stores mass first hex ctr. The defense personnel support Center disc establishes the Price fur All Issue military uniform menu not cafes. Disc procures uniform Ems from Gor com Neil contractors and supplies the items to aafe5 for Sale to military members. There 1 no pro increase markup by cafes  Pru cared Issue clothing. Thus if the Price Inere uts for a uniform item in is directed by disc usually during the month of october of each year. The Type of material used to make uniform items is lined on department of the army specifications pro i idea a disc and the troop support agr try. Cafes does not Bare inc authority to change Idt uniform specifications or material. The procedure for sold Lin to request uniform changes arc outlined in a 670-1. Individuals should submit their requests and recommendations for change on a form ims through command channels in the army uniform Board. As mentioned above to secs vary ind for some we have designer libels it the Vogt Wleh main Exchange but Yon will also Node pint fashion act Iii and Many More Brand  while , Ralph and Calvin represent inc higher Price lines much in de Mand by our customers. Firm fashion line of col Hunt is makes a tuned not represents our lowest priced la Dies fashions. Approximately 10 percent of Voget Wen n requirements arc in this category fur All Ilott no departments. While each store is different vog Alveh s print Lac line represents less than s percent of los told ladles buys. The majority of inc procurement i in the mid Price Range where the majority of proven demand exits. To Gelwich has increased its procurement of Low Price club blog for Spring summer 88 based on expected in creases in Demund. So while in vog Fluch look for the first fashion Label in the udies department. Tell merchandise represent excellent file Al a affordable Price Lurry Elbom  Exchange my niger advises that he would be Happy la answer nity other questions you might hire he can be reached it 0�3i 5355910. Feel free to Contact him Persani Liy