Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

723.0. "ACCOUNTS WHO HEAVED ORACLE" by TRCA03::MCMULLEN () Tue Aug 28 1990 21:28

    Does anyone know of an account who actually will go on record and
    state that ORACLE prices are the same as paying extortion. I have
    an account who would like to talk to people who have experience
    with ORACLE pricing after the origianl sale. It would be even nicer
    if the account did something about it ... ie switched tools/database.  
                
    LET'S GET A LIST OF ACCOUNTS WHO HAVE STOPPED DOING BUSINESS WITH
    ORACLE FOR ANY REASON.
    
    This is an investment account for Canada and they are looking at
    ORACLE on IBM UNIX 6000 platform versus Digital/Ultrix anything. Digital
    did all the work, ORACLE enters the game and since we would not
    propose directly with them, brought in SEQUENT, who dropped out because IBM
    was bidding!?
    
    For some reason this customer is believing all the ORACLE marketing.
    I also believe sales ignored the customer during May, June and July,
    thinking we had the business. Enter ORACLE. The account is very
    price sensitive for this application and does not believe how expensive
    ORACLE can become in the future.
    
    Ken McMullen

    I would not recommend letting customer's talk to other customer's
    who have not converted from Oracle yet. If Oracle finds out an account
    is thinking about doing business elsewhere, their level and quality
    of support would most likely be non-existant.

    My guess is there might also be some liability issues here. You know
    lawyers and, it would seem to me, that this would be fertile ground for 
    them.