Conference 7.286::digital

    RE: .0 Well, we used to. I bought my DECpc through Digital with a
    2 year interest free loan. We don't do it anymore.
    
    			Alfred

    You musta missed it:
    
    Last year, about this time, DEC... er I mean Digital offered a two year
    interest free loan for the purchase of certain company-made PCs.  The
    offer was withdrawn circa last spring.
    
    L.

    
    I didn't miss anything.  I don't want an obsolete Digital PC.
    There are people in my department that got hooked into that one.
    Can't be upgraded, can't add memory. No thanks.  
    
    The point is, a company in Iowa is more concerned about getting
    there employees PC trained than we have ever been.  
    
    Patti

Re .-1:

    
>    I didn't miss anything.  I don't want an obsolete Digital PC.
>    There are people in my department that got hooked into that one.
>    Can't be upgraded, can't add memory. No thanks.  
    
Well, the 450DX2 I got last year isn't THAT obsolete! I think Radio Shack still
sells it. Certainly it can be upgraded (well, not a new CPU, but with a 50MhZ
486, I can live with it for long enough) and I can get more memory. And the
price, with discount, was competitive. The loan made it well worthwhile.

However I agree that Digital does not seem interested in having its employees
learn more about PCs. I had to do this on my own. And I'm having fun programming
again, learning Windows and C++.

Steve

    
    
    		Interesting concept of promoting computer proficency
    	of employees on their own time at home by helping them buy
    	a computer to use. We in the Stage 2 area of ABO working on
    	Intel PC's in Digital boxes have been pondering this dilema
    	for quite some time. We have the resources to build-up the
    	latest and greatest PC's with any option we carry in stock,
    	but finding the time to learn to use it is the biggest road-
    	block in Manufacturing. The worker bees are so busy tending
    	the hive there is no time for taking advantage of the local
    	expertise in PC's. The desire to learn is there, the Equip.
    	is there,but so many orders , so little time.........
    
    		With say 20 employees working on the product between
    	1st & 2nd shift there are probably only 5-6 that could claim
    	knowledge of PC's beyond this part goes there, and that part
    	goes there sometimes... It's a crying shame that Digital does
    	not comprehend the value of having each of it's employees be
    	aware of market and functionality of the products they spend
    	1/3 of their lives building,testing or otherwise supporting.
    
    		We're still working on a feasible way to offer this
    	through donated time on our own time, but a boost from the
    	Management would be all it would take to fly to NEW heights.
    	What?   You want me to propose training on our products on
    	Company time to our Management here ????     Maybe in my next
    	life..............
    
    				Pablo
    
    

    RE: .6
    
    >>  Why would Digital give employees money to buy Gateway systems? 
    
    To save money! ;-}  We can buy a Gateway system cheaper than the
    equivalent Digital PC via EPP.
    

    re:.6
    Gateway gave her the best price for what she wanted.  She had quotes
    from several other stores including Nebraska Furniture Mart.  
    
    The point is to get our employees PC literate.
    
    Patti                                         

I bought a 486dx2, 50 Mhz machine less than a year ago, that is expandable,
except for the the CPU (to Pentium).  At the time, it was at or near top of the
line.  With the TONS of software I got with the purchase, it was a great deal.
And since, I've been able to learn a lot myself, as have my wife and sons.  I
have even tried AutoCAD, and some statistical packages on it.  At home, on my
own time.  I got a good, competitive price, and a 2 year, interest free,
payroll deducted loan.  

If I remember right, these things come up periodically, but are not a permanent
benefit.  Maybe somebody out there in EPP land could tell us here in this
conference if another opportunity for interest-free purchases is coming up?

					ts

    They just announced in VTX the ``Right Rate'' ... essentially there is
    no interest free loan, just a deal with DCU for a 7% up to 3 yr loan
    for Digital hardware purchases.  The implication looked pretty clear
    that this was the new ``payment plan'' so I'm not holding my breath for
    0% loans to be back anytime soon.
    
    George
    
    Ps: On the + side it does look like they've streamlined this with DCU
    offering electronic simple application forms and 24 hour turnaround,
    plus I believe the loan is considered ``secured'' (with the purchase)
    making is probably easier to qualify.
    

    .10. Better yet maybe someone in EPP land could tell us why the chance
    to buy a system at 0% isn't available on a year round basis? Does the
    company have something against year round sales to its own employees?
    Why was the 0% loan offer cancelled? Are sales so strong that the
    company can be fussy about when/if it chooses to sell to its own
    employees? Seems like such a program would make the sales people very
    happy since all the sales people have to do is answer the phone to 
    complete a sale. Guess I just don't grasp the "big picture". But I 
    also would not be surprised to find a lot of follow-on notes serving
    to enlighten me.

    Rumor has it that one reason the 0% loan was shut down was that the
    company was having trouble collecting from TFSO'd employees. Now 
    there is a surprise. :-)

    As best as I can recall the stated reason was the current financial
    state of the company. After all it does cost the company to lend money
    at 0% interest. I guess the company decided the cost of interest free
    loans was not worth the pay back in PC literate employees. The 0% plan
    did push a lot of PCs out the door, which I assume was a plus. On the
    other hand now we're selling a lot of PCs to "real" customers so
    perhaps Digital doesn't need the business as much.

    		Alfred

    Re: .13-
    
   >I thought Digital's policy is to deduct any monies owed Digital out
   >of the checks.
    
    	Or return the equipment and forfeit the payments to date.
    
    	How does that work?
    
    Phil

    
   >I thought Digital's policy is to deduct any monies owed Digital out
   >of the checks.
    
    Yes, and it would work really well in a company that has a good
    computerized control system. I've heard it's a problem at Digital
    though.
    
    			Alfred

    
    	Digital should treat them like any other business that extends
    credit. If you don't pay for it then it goes to a collection agency
    and a bad mark on you credit history. Returning the equipment is a
    joke, It is obsolete and we can't re-sell it.  MHO
    
    Bill

    	Well, just think about it...DEC hiring a collection agency for such
    things...the Digital Repo Man...Why do I picture the 3 Stooges showing
    up at the door to collect that equipment? Nyaaaahhhhhh...Woop woo woo
    woo woo wooooo!

    
    
    Or the employess (make that ex-employees) ought to have the op[tion of
    satisfying their obligation (paying off the balance weekly).
    
    
    
    Mike