Several software companies who
have not previously supported Atari are now writing or converting
programs for the 130XE or the 800XL - at long last. That's the good
news but the bad news is that they may well find it more difficult
to get their products to you.
Since the last issue of PAGE 6
no less than six of the retailers to whom we supply the magazine
have gone into liquidation or have 'disappeared' and the situation
may well take some time to settle as the genuine retailers try to
hang on whilst the 'get rich quick' merchants or the plain incompetent
bite the dust in a market which has proved to be smaller than many
peoples dreams. The sudden overnight disappearance of Software World
in Birmingham unfortunately affects more than those to whom they
owe money, as many owners begin to wonder who they can trust. Part
of the problem is just human nature for we tend to be impressed
by the big and the flamboyant and assume that the retailer with
the biggest shop is the best. When we see a small retailer or mail
order company operating from a house in the suburbs we tend to be
wary and wonder whether they can be trusted when in fact it should
be the reverse. There are good independent retailers with big shops
- a few - but many in this day and age will struggle to meet the
overheads. If you can pay your money and take the goods, fine but
what about Mail Order? The small mail order company operating, perhaps,
from home does not do so because it does not want a big impressive
shop but simply because the owner realises that he cannot afford
a shop. Lower overheads mean a greater chance of success and providing
the company gives a good service why should the situation or premises
matter?
Of course there will be small companies
who have problems too but the problem for all who have been stung
so far is who to trust. There are mail order companies who I feel
are conducting their business in an efficient way and you should
not automatically fear mail order - it is unfortunately the only
way that many owners can get Atari software. The ones who disappear
tarnish those who continue to provide a good service and only time
will settle the dust.
I don't know the answers but I
feel that it is high time that legislation was introduced to make
it more difficult to start a business and nigh on impossible without
guarantees to start another after going into liquidation. You may
argue that in these days of high unemployment every opportunity
should be given to those who want to start businesses but make it
too easy and the cowboys and the plain inept will take a lot of
genuine small businesses down with them.
We must all keep supporting those
who we can trust but need to tread more warily.
Enough said. Enjoy this issue!
