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Came up against a group of these recently.

They were kind enough to inform me that Creamware went bust last Friday, that they love Creamware but the software doesn't work, that the company will be sold and all the programmers replaced with competent staff....bla...bla...bla

Basically a load of extremely damaging bulls..t. My email to Creamware.de was answered within 20 minutes, by the Export Manager. His response....This kind of rubbish does far more harm than creditors asking for their money back could ever do.

He contacted the Australian wholesalers who have contacted me several times.


My point? If you strike this kind of garbage, inform Creamware immediately so they can act on it. I know it's been said before but we the Creamware users can make a real difference to the company if we do this. Don't accept it...act fast.

which shop, out of interest?

The Australian CW distributor "Major Music" (Greg I think?) is a good fellow to deal with. I've bought quite a bit of stuff through him (sample CDs & native devices etc). Just make sure you ask what sort of price he can *really* do for you

Wayne, the shop is "Music Lab" in Brisbane. Wherever possible, I'll be buying elsewhere. I can understand the difficulties for a salesperson selling Creamware products.....lots of difficult questions...customers coming back saying "It doesn't work"... because they haven't got their head around the routing window (me to) but I can't accept the slander and lack of industry kowledge/professionalism.

(A lesson here perhaps for Creamware...the transition from knowing nothing to being able to use SFP is quite sharp. Perhaps they could look at more templates/lessons for newbies to get them going. At the moment it seems they'll survive in spite of salespeople, not because of them.)

Spirit, thanks for that comment on Greg at Major Music. I also found him interested and helpful.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-03 18:42 ]</font>

The RRP at major music is pretty high compared to what deals can be done... Music Lab prices are ok, shame they're not too supportive of CW - I check their prices site very regularly.

if you shop for gear strictly on price,then figure that you're on your own.if a shop has the absolute lowest prices,chances are that their staff works for the same.(that sure can make it hard to have qualified sales people.)if a shop has really good service,don't grind them to the bone.leave something for the salesman.

Fair comment, Gary. I've generally found that paying more up front, but being helped when I'm in the poo has saved me far more than the extra initial cost. Thanks for reminding me.

I paid almost $2,000 USD for tripleDAT/Osiris/Firewalkers from Gand Music & Sound here in the Chicago area because they offered expert sales support. Now that particular piece of software is only worth $200 USD (assuming you have the Pulsar/Luna card to run it on) and the salesman that sold it to me is long gone.

My advice: do your own homework! Research! Buy local if the price is right. Otherwise buy on-line or from where-ever you can get the best price. People that walk in blindly deserve what they get. In the 25+ years I've been shopping locally, I can count on one hand the number of intelligent salespeople I've encountered. And here in Chicago we have all of the biggest chains to select from. The local music stores pay minimum wage which is what... $7/hour or less? They hire warm bodies. People that can show up on time a few days a week. I appreciate the fact that I can get a good deal on guitar strings and that they're open until 9 PM on weekends. But I make damn sure I know what I want before I go into a music store. I could write a book on crappy service. Maybe we should swap stories. Might make for a good screenplay

I understand what you're saying. I've learned not to expect too much from most salespeople, and when I find a good one I'll always ask his/her opinion.

........I also know that I'm a difficult customer....I paid the chap who built my computer a small bonus just for putting up with me through the process.....we managed to find exactly what I wanted, but it took time and SERVICE......

I prefer to buy locally, but most retailers also know when they're not competitive on a product. As a subcontractor, I know what it's like to be screwed down on price....I also know what it's like to have appreciative customers....guess who gets looked after when there is a problem?

With regard to this recent incident, the Australian wholesaler was very attentive......the salesperson I dealt with has since emailed me some other information.........even though I lit a fire under his ass. If they screwed up, they've certainly done their best to rectify it. I've had my fit and I'm over it.

Heh heh. Have a look what's on their front page now as a "Blowout Special"

http://www.musiclab.net.au/

Dunno if this means that they're not doing creamware or not anymore...

I like how much effort went into making sure their BLOWOUT items are (not) hyperlinked.