Bill,

In my twenty years I have had both the best and the worst of luck with tech
reps and manufacturers.  You have my sympathy.  I believe the best answer,
while avoiding any legal ramifications, is to do the following.

Post to the TechNet requesting assistance from anyone familiar with Model XYZ
from Mfg ABC.  Detail the problem, attempted solutions, and any other info.
Make no negative or judgmental comments.  Also state when the equipment was
delivered and when the problems started.  This indicates the age of the
machine and the condition, helping us TechNetters develop a feel for if it is
a wear, PM, set-up, and\or a calibration issue.

This should leave you clean from libel.  The focus is on the real problem, a
machine that does not perform.  If it worked well, you would never get into
secondary issues like poor response.  However, we will be able to read between
the lines if we think about buying one of these units.

Another question?  Is this a Nepcon show machine?... you know the one half put
together after midnight the weekend before the show???  Or is it one of the
first ten units ever built of this model.  Or is this machine one of the first
ten of a major update to the design??  I've seen companies fall all over
themselves in those situations.  The other major problem is success.  I've
seen good companies swamped with good business from a great Nepcon West
deliver poor machines and poor service from the deluge of orders that doubled
or tripled their sales.

In no case, however, should they refuse to talk to you.

Steve Mikell
SCI SYSTEMS Plt 13
256-882-4800 x3987

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