All,
23-Apr-98 22:23:43, Andy Roberts wrote to All
          Subject: SmartSuite Upgrade
 AR> Transcript of Lotus Color Ad:
--
 Lotus> we'll upgrade you to the complete suite of native OS/2
 Lotus> applications, including ScreenCam(R), for FREE.*
--
 Lotus> * Offer valid for SmartSuite96 registered users.
 AR> Unfortunately Lotus has done everything they could to delay
 AR> giving me a straight answer on this issue.  They did say they
 AR> would "snail" mail some paper to me next month.  I'll be
 AR> calling Lotus at 1-800-343-5414 again tomorrow to see what
 AR> they have to say about this advertisement.
I called Lotus and was referred to 1-800-342-6672 and eventually to
a supervisor Ms. Steele 617-693-3553
Here's the scoop:  The upgrades that are being sold at places like
J3 and Indelible Blue for $149 are intended for users of other
platforms and other competitive suites, not *all* SmartSuite96 for
OS/2 registered users.  Lotus will "snail mail" some paper next
month to *some* SmartSuite96 for OS/2 registered users.  That is
not finalized yet, but it is supposed to be an order form that must
be "snail mailed" back to Lotus to obtain the FREE upgrade
(possibly with a charge for CD media and shipping) and the option
to pay extra for printed documentation (manuals).  SmartSuite96 for
OS/2 registered users *MUST* wait to receive the "snail mail" and
reply by "snail mail" and there is no organization to bypass the
"snail mail" process.
Part of the delay may be due to indecision at Lotus about the
possibility of a limited "time frame" to exclude SmartSuite96 for
OS/2 registered users who purchased prior to the December '96
advertisement in OS/2 Magazine (or some other date).  I was told
that *some* SmartSuite96 for OS/2 registered users that purchased a
long time ago *might* have to pay the $149 or some other price to
obtain the upgrade.  The exact details were not available yet.
I was told that SmartSuite96 for OS/2 registered users who purchased
under the software buyer's insurance protection policy (recently)
would be sent the "snail mail" upgrade order form next month.
IMO it was probably a good thing that I did not send in my
registration form as soon as I purchased (way over a year ago).
Instead I waited until I needed the upgrade (patch) for
SmartSuite96 for OS/2, on my 1st call to Lotus on 19-Jun-97.
I would recommend that anyone else who purchased SmartSuite96 for
OS/2 call Lotus at 1-800-343-5414 to verify you are registered and
will be sent the upgrade order form via "snail mail".  If you are
not registered, then Lotus won't send you the form.  My experience
is that even if Lotus asks, you do not have to tell them exactly
when or where you purchased SmartSuite96 for OS/2.
I think I now qualify as APITA to Lotus.  The feeling is mutual,
since I don't know yet if they have refunded my credit card, (for CD
media and shipping) when I phoned in an order for the new SmartSuite
for Warp upgrade and received the old '96 version (again) earlier
this month.
Anyway after Lotus decides what their upgrade procedure will be, I'm
fairly sure *some* SmartSuite96 for OS/2 registered users will
eventually get the new SmartSuite for Warp upgrade for something less
than the price it is being sold for at J3 and Indelible Blue.  So
don't be fooled into jumping at the upgrades from J3 and IB Web
pages, yet.  It looks like there will eventually be at least 4 or
more different part numbers and prices for this "free" upgrade.
     Thanks and Good Luck,        Andy Roberts
                                  andy@shentel.net
--- Terminate 5.00/Pro*at 
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