IBM Ordering Pain

[Jeff Crosby <jlcrosby@xxxxxxx>]

Sheesh, what a pain it is to order something from IBM these days.

As you probably know, IBM repackaged Client Access a few months ago. 
IBM customers were to be notified about ordering the new packaging. 
Client Access is now split into the Client Access for Windows Family
(xxxx-XW1) and the Client Access Family (xxxx-XY1).  When ordering, you
need to decide how to split up your available licenses between the 2
products.

Well, I hadn't received any notification from IBM, so I scoured the web
site.  To order, contact your IBM rep or Business Partner.  I called my
IBM rep, who was out making calls, and "pressed 0 and the # key to be
connected to the IBM Customer Service Center."  The IBM Customer Service
Center had no clue what Client Access was.  I spent 15 minutes talking
to 3 different people and got absolutely nowhere.  And I mean nowhere.

So I left my IBM rep a VMM.  He left me a VMM this AM with the IBM
Direct phone number.  So I called IBM Direct.

The person there took all the information, thanked me, and was ready to
hang up when I said wait a minute.  Don't I have to tell you how I want
my 30 licenses divided up between the 2 new repackaged clients?  IBM
Direct knew nothing about that.  They had to get the AS/400 area on the
phone to believe me.  This call took 15 minutes and now it will be 3-4
_weeks_ until I get it.  Unless I want to pay extra, of course. :(

It's getting tough to order something from IBM.

-- 
-Jeff

jlcrosby@fwi.com
+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---