gateway in trouble....

Docsta · Post by **Docsta** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 4:12 pm

****************in trouble....hopefully they go down.

https://us.etrade.com/e/t/invest/Story? ... lineReport

*edited by mod for improper language*

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 7:00 pm

I believe I read somewhere that Dell might be making moves to buy Gateway out. But I could be horribly wrong.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:23 pm

Gateway folding would mean the loss of jobs for thousands of people....Not something I would wish on anyone.

LT-73 · Post by **LT-73** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:25 pm

Did'nt the same thing happen to another giant, i think it was compaq or hewlett packard? I could be wrong tho.

Somebody correct me on this.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:38 pm

Originally posted by LT-73
Did'nt the same thing happen to another giant, i think it was compaq or hewlett packard? I could be wrong tho.

Somebody correct me on this.

HP and Compaq merged...but whether it's a merger, a tanking company or a buy-out, people are going to be laid off.

LT-73 · Post by **LT-73** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:42 pm

Originally posted by Burke
HP and Compaq merged...but whether it's a merger, a tanking company or a buy-out, people are going to be laid off.

Yeah, that was it. Even tho i dislike both companies and the junk they make, it's a shame alot of ppl lost their jobs. Must have been hell for those that've been working for them for years, then get the rug pulled from under them.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:50 pm

sucks

maroon · Post by **maroon** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 12:32 pm

My first computer was a Gateway Select 400.

It had an AMD K6-2 400 CPU, 64mb SDRAM, and integrated 8mb ATI Rage Pro graphics.

I overclocked it to 450 on PASSIVE cooling and it never complained.

I don't think Gateway can ever beat Dell, but I think they can be competitive if they go back to the basics.

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:06 pm

back when I worked as logistics manager at OfficeMax, they had this genius idea to put Gateway mini-stores inside each OfficeMax since Omax didn't sell PC's anymore.. They then staffed each mini-store with 2 Gateway associates that were there all the time, doing nothing.. made 3 PC sales the entire time they were in the store and then Gateway pulled out of the deal and OMax brought in stand alone help yourself HP stations... Gateway lost over 5 million in investments in one quarter due to that bad move..
While they were in the store, I began realizing how much their PC's sucked.. as their model PC's that you could play on, had constant problems and rarely worked., but then again that could have been due to ME's release, which came pre-installed on all of their PC's..

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:01 pm

gateway put their stores in bad locatiosns, if it was buy our mall here it would do well , but u gotta drive like 10 miles away for just that store. If they threw some upgradable systems on the shelf for liek 800 bucks they's be all set, they'll sell thsoe quicker than the expensive ones. Maybe even start a repair section of the store for gateways and non gateway machines.

they also dont advertise effectivly

twwabw · Post by **twwabw** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:03 am

Originally posted by YARDofSTUF

they also dont advertise effectivly

I sure agree with you there. Nobody really knows who they are anymore. The whole store concept has been a total failure. What were they thinking?? I remember when they stuck the little sales areas in Office Max, like koldchillah33 said. What a joke. A couple PC's and a laptop. The stores do nothing more than give you a place to fill out your order, and a clerk to hold your hand. No service, no support, no parts. What an incredible waste.

There was a time ( 3-5 years ago) when the Cows were everywhere. I have a client that used them exclusively for 5 years. His office still has a bunch of them. They were (and are)OK machines, but... I would get so damn frustrated when I had to go to their support site for drivers, etc. You had to enter the serial number, buried on the rear panel on a tiny sticker. So, under the desk you go taking off every cable (why are they always too tight? ) turn it around, get a flashlight, and write down the number. Now, off to support you went. But now, you also had to enter your Customer number too. So, that meant waiting until someone from accounting came in, to paw through 2 year old iinvoices to find the one for the PC you're working on. This place had about 8 different Customer numbers- no doubt every sales rep at order time created a new acct. to insure his commission. No Customer number? Tough. You go nowhere.

I wrote Gateway about this three times. I asked them why they do this? As a consultant, this costs me time and money as I'm stalled in the middle of an after-hour repair until someone can come in and go through paperwork!!! Ridiculous. Their response? Well, one time they did respond, thanking me contacting Customer Service, and asked if I had tried their on-line support !!!!!!

Their server line has always been a joke.

I think we'll see Gateway fold or change to a completely different compsmy within 18 months. Their sales and market share have plummetted; the stock is worth 3 bucks; they're losing money; the stores are a disaster. I don't see them as a takeover target- who needs them? Certainly Dell doesn't , nor does H-P. Nobody needs more mfg. space, and they are certainly no longer a competitive threat. I think you'll just see them whither into nothing. Sad. But they did it to themselves.

Lightstream · Post by **Lightstream** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 11:52 am

I would get so damn frustrated when I had to go to their support site for drivers, etc. You had to enter the serial number, buried on the rear panel on a tiny sticker.

Not only that, but if you had an older gateway and you wanted to upgrade the bios, you could not because it was only upgradable by gateway.

HuNtEr DrAgOn · Post by **HuNtEr DrAgOn** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 2:45 pm

Ok what the **** is that ?
Ok what the **** is that ?
Ok What the **** is that ?
Ok What the **** is that ?

[/QUOTE]

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:50 pm

I give up. What is it?

Needlefreak · Post by **Needlefreak** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:09 pm

Originally posted by Lightstream
Not only that, but if you had an older gateway and you wanted to upgrade the bios, you could not because it was only upgradable by gateway.

How far back?? I got my PIII 700 the day they were released,not sure how long ago,,Two maybe three years...Ive flashed the BIOS several time with no problems..

HuNtEr DrAgOn · Post by **HuNtEr DrAgOn** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:13 pm

Guess that's what happens when you walk away from your computer for a while !

Sorry all OOPS !!