My VM story...part two

[P3D Jamie Drouin <jdrouin@xxxxxxxx>]

VM story continued...

Part two: "The financial hell"

       I had already begun five months previously to get price quotes from
Charley Van Pelt for producing the minimum run of 1000 reels, and had given
those figures to Barry to include in the budget for the MANDATE OF HEAVEN
exhibit (as it would be titled).  After being given the 'go ahead' I phoned
Charley back and was told that the prices had changed a bit(not his
fault)...the MANDATE budget, which could not be changed, was not enough!
Charley suggested I phone TYCO directly since I did not need any packaging
made, and they might have a bit of flexibility in their prices.  I
contacted Seanita Tolliver in the Special Projects division of TYCO/VM and,
after explaining my situation, was able to work out a price within the
budget.  Great...for the moment.  As soon as I mentioned where I was
phoning from (Canada) she said that everything would unfortunately have to
go through TYCO Canada.  Now, let me explain that I live in Victoria, which
is approximately 5 hours drive to the Oregon TYCO plant, where ALL of the
production is actually done...NOTHING actually happens at the TYCO Canada
plant, which is all the way on the other side of the country in Ontario.
So everything sent between me and Oregon would first have to travel
aaaaalllll the way across the continent!

        TYCO Canada phoned the next morning and said they would fax the
order forms.  Within minutes after having received them, I was back on the
phone with TYCO Canada...the price was going to be almost $500CAN MORE!!!!
The woman I spoke to did not take me seriously when I said the price Oregon
had quoted, but after checking with Seanita, she was back on the phone
saying that they would match the price, but that I would be paying them
(TYCO Canada) in US funds and would have to pay all of the shipping, since
this is only included in the extra $500 version (anyone ever hear of
shipping costing $500?...unless you're shipping an elephant).  It sounded
weird, but whatever...at least it was getting done.


                      Up next...Part three: "The photography"


                                                   :-)jamie.



Jamie Drouin (jdrouin@xxxxxxxx)
______________..______________
    View-Master Collector
    and Stereophotographer
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