Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    See notes 343 and 391 for more info on Abels.

I have been trying for two days to reach ABEL by phone (voice).
I remember people mentioning that ABEL was difficult to reach
because they might be swamped with orders; but are they
reachable at all?

I'm planning on ordering a Supra drive.  All you current
drive owners still happy? Any suggestions?

Dave

    Abel posted a notice on Plink recently to the effect that business
    was unbelievably fantastic.  So good, in fact, that 300 to 400 phone
    calls per hour are going unanswered.
    
    They apologized for any problems people are having getting through,
    and they are trying to hire more help.  In the meantime, they suggest
    trying to get onto their BBS line at 3 or 4 in the morning.
    
    They remain committed to delivering Amiga products at the lowest
    prices.  What they were totally unprepared for was the success of
    their operation.
                                         

    I spent almost two weeks trying to get thru on their voice line without
    success.  I was able to get in on the BBS even during the day without
    too much trouble, but wanted to talk to someone to confirm
    availability, and because I had never used Abel before and was
    uncertain or procedures.

    Finally on tuesday I sent a message asking whether they were alive, and
    before I disconnected they noticed it, broke in on my line and talked
    direct (ala PHONE).  They answered my questions, took my order and
    promised delivery by Thursday (today).  We will see if it actually
    arrives.

    I would say you can probably still be successful with them if you are
    willing to do everything via the BBS.  I was never able to get anything
    but a busy signal on the voice line in almost two weeks of frequent
    attempts.

	Paul

    RE: -.1
    
    Were you by chance ordering the Microbotics Starboard?  I've made
    zillions of unsuccessful attempts to contact them on my ~3 week
    old order, and have heard absolutely nothing.  I fear they are
    out of stock and won't get the boards in for another month.  If
    you do speak with them again, could ask them about the status on
    Starboards?  I anyone else has pending questions for Abel, I would
    be glad to ask if I ever get ahold of them. 
    

I'll try to remember to ask about Starboard II's when
/if I get through to ABEL.  

Isn't there anyplace else selling stuff at competitive prices?

    Great. I was just getting ready to order a Starboard from Abel.
    I'd also appreciate knowing their status (you just can't beat the
    price!)
    					Jim
    

    Well, they came thru as promised.  The stuff I ordered came today 2nd
    day air.  I apparently caught them on Tuesday just before UPS came
    This was just software, not hardware.

    On the other hand, over a week ago I ordered something from GO AMIGO
    (Superbase).  They were out of stock but claimed more was due that day
    and that I should get it by this past Monday.  It is still not here.  I
    guess Abel is still the best going IF you can reach them.

	Paul

	I reached ABEL yesterday through the BBS.
	Asked them to call me collect to confirm my order, and ask
	about the starboard.  We'll see if they respond with either
	my order or a call.

	(I reached the BBS on the first try!)

Dave

    Don't count on any response...
    
    I've left numerous inquiry type messages for the sysop through the
    BBS and all have been summarily ignored. Maybe since you have an
    active order you'll get more attention.
    
    Let's hope they get some more phone lines and qualified help soon.
    I've got a friend in Tennessee who's had an Amiga for about a year;
    I'm trying to get him to go to work for them--this way I'll have
    an inside contact ;^)	     	    	

I ordered a copy of FACC and a StarboardII about the middle of June.
    The software was in my hands in three or four days but the Starboard
    arrived only yesterday. The demand for these must be great.
    
    I was unable to get thru on Abel's voice line for the last two weeks
    to get status and I also didnt get any answers on the bulletin board
    but I never had too much trouble logging in.
    
    The outer shipping box looked as if it had been very badly crushed
    but the inner box was packed so well it showed no damage at all
    and so far my Starboard is working fine.
    

I actually reached ABEL twice last week be phone,
it just takes *real* persistence.  The box my disk drive came in
(the outer box full of styrofoam) was clearly a much re-used box.
I suspect ABEL doesn't let anything go to waste.

    After about a month of waiting, I also finally got my Starboard II.
    Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work.  Workbench will either indicate
    only 512k or the machine won't make it through kickstart (the power
    light will flash on and off in an endless cycle).  Does anyone have
    tips on connecting the Starboard?
                                   

    Make sure that the Starboard is jumpered correctly for the amount of
    memory that you have installed.  On the back of the instruction sheet,
    there is a small diagram showing a jumper block on the main board, and
    which jumpers to connect for .5, 1, or 2 megs.  Without the correct
    jumper, the box will not configure itself properly. 
    
    When I first got my Starboard, I was so anxious to see the '2,402,000
    bytes free' message that I forgot to read the instructions.
                                                      
    Abel tests each memory board before it is shipped.
               

    Abel is now open until 10 pm Mon-Fri.  I have gotten through on
    the first try both of the times I called after 9 pm.  Apparently,
    not many people know that they're open that late.
    

    Where is Abel?  I think they must have died due to the stock market
    crash or something.  No one is answering the phones!  Maybe they
    decided to take a day of mourning...
    
    Anyone have any information?

    nevermind, they seem to be answering now, at least I am getting
    a busy signal now...
    

    Forgive me for putting this here, but I didn't feel this deserved
    a note of its own.  I'm planning to buy a Prodrive in the next few
    days.  I'd prefer to buy it from Abel, but unfortunately our plastic
    is a bit full so ordering via phone is out.  COD is also a no go,
    because no one is home during normal delivery hours.  Does anyone
    have an address to which I can mail a money order?  (Er.. That is,
    an address for *Abel*.  I'm sure plenty of you could give me an
    address to send money. :-)  I thought I'd ask here first before 
    spending money on a call to them.
    
    Thanks,
    Gary

    From the invoice of a recent order:
    	Abel Supply, Inc.
    	Rt #3, Box-705, Middlecreek
    	Sevierville, TN  37862
    
    That's typed in exactly as it appeared on the invoice.

	Has anyone managed to get through to Abel lately ?  I placed an
	order with their bulletin-board 10 days ago (UPS 2nd day air),
	and nothing's shown up yet.  I sent a message to the SYSOP,
	asking about the order, but no one's answered.  Is this
	typical Abel behavior ?

    I used to try to communicate with Abel through their BBS about 4
    or 5 months ago. They routinely ignored all of my messages to the
    sysop. 
    
    I will deal with them now only on their voice line. It is surprisingly
    easy to get through to after about 6 pm here in Colorado. I've had
    absolutely no complaints with the service I've received when calling
    on the voice line.