Rob:
RP> If a mall has several jean outlets, do you really care how much it 
RP> costs each store owner to stay in operation?
RM> ...I want to know that that business has the capitalization and
RM> price/cost structure to stay in business.
Exactly!  One may feel sympathy for the vendor because of all the effort
and expense he's put into his operation, but when it comes time to open
your wallet, you'll go to the vendor who can provide the service that you
need, at the price you think is fair.  It's called the free market system
and BBS operators are NOT immune to its influences.
RM> We had an Internet Service just down the road that under priced it's
RM> services to the extent that it went out of business.
That's happening up here too -- lots of small providers trying to secure
a piece of the market by offering net access at ridiculous prices.  But
with the big ISP's and Bell Canada nipping at their heels, most of those
small outfits won't be around in year's time.
RM> I've got a friend who works a business consulting practice out of his
RM> house.  He does programs on organizational skills.  (Looking at my
RM> desk perhaps I ought to sign up. :) )
As should we all! 
RM> He bases his instruction on a nationally syndicated program with
RM> professional materials.  Assuming I'm in the market for his type of
RM> program, should sign up with him and pay a slight premium or sign up
RM> with someone with no track record and no national support backing him
RM> up, but a slightly lower price?
That's the reason the big ISP's and Bell Canada will succeed. Their rates
aren't exactly cheap, but for the money you get stability, service and a
better selection of services to choose from.  The discount ISP's have a
poor user-to-lines ratio, poor or nonexistent service, fewer services and
pricing options, and in many cases, you have to download their access
software and then try to figure out how to set it up yourself.
Until the dust settles after the coming bloodbath in the ISP market, I'm
staying with the Toronto FreeNet.  At least I know where my e-mail is.
I'll select my ISP from whoever is still in business at that time.
RM> I'd been in meetings where I could not leave my cell phone on most of
RM> the afternoon and had therefore been unavailable. They had wanted to
RM> track me down on a stat basis and asked if I had a beeper. I don't,
RM> but my wife got the pricing for me yesterday and the sun won't set
RM> today before I've arranged for service.
Being available to your customers is important.  Nobody wants to play
telephone tag with their service provider.  One tip though: leave the
beeper out of the bedroom. 
Richard
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 Richard Portsmouth                          Internet: af903@torfree.net
 Toronto, Canada                             FidoNet : 1:250/518
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