Conference 7.286::atarist

151.0. "The Hunt for Cheap Floppies" by PRNSYS::LOMICKAJ (Jeff Lomicka) Fri Jul 01 1988 13:53

I've been calling around trying to find a good source (in the U.S.) of
quality floppies for the Atari at approximately $1.10 each.  There are
several places that offer disks at this price in quantity 400 in their
advertisments. The search led to some interesting comments.

According to "Zebra Disks" [(215) 673-9705, Phil. PA], the Sony 3�"
DSDD disks he gets are now being made in America, in some combination
of Texas and Mexico.  He offers a 2-for-1 replacement guarntee, and has
been disappointed in the number of returns he has had on the
American-made Sony product.  He said that according to "Diskette
Gazette", some sort of trade magazine, that JVC's are currently
top-rated.

In any case, he said he'd have JVC's next week, and Sony's around July 12.

According to Comp_U-Save [(800) 356-9997, Westbury, NY], they are
unable to obtain Sony 3�" DSDD in bulk, only in boxes (@17.95).  They
are unable to obtain any Japanese-made disks in bulk, because of the
current "trade war" situation between the US and Japan.  The person I
spoke to knew nothing about American-made Sony disks.

One place I called had an answering machine instead of a salesman.  Low
overhead, I guess.  I called during lunch, I expect "he" was out.  Small
place.

Has anybody else heard similar rumors?  Does anybody have any experience
with JVC media?

    I get boxed Sonys from USA FLEX (1-800-USA-FLEX) for the past couple of
    months they have told me that a US disk manufacturer has filed suit
    against the Japanese disk manufacturers (one or all?) which is
    why it is near impossible to get Sony disks in particular and other
    Jappanese made disks in general.
    
    I don't recall the name of the company who placed the suit.
    
    As of late I have been buying CITOH bulk DS disks at the Computer
    show/flea market. I think I've paid about $1.14 in quanaty of 50. The
    disks aren't marked CITOH but they are marked 2DD. Of course you have
    to pay the $5.00 entry fee to the flea market, but you usualy pay more
    than that for S&H on mail order. 
    
    This is the first I've heard of Sony disks made in the US.
    
      >>  "Does anybody have any experience with JVC media?"
    USA-FLEX always sends me a free JVC VHS video tape and as of yet
    I have not been able to get that "JVC media" to work in my ST's
    3 1/2" DS floppy drive :-)!
    
    	Ray

    Don't forget to look at your local wearhouse type stores such as
    Sams or Pace. I've bought DD/DS Sonys, 15 for $22.50.