|
|
|
|
Friday, October 25, 1996 Iomega was down $7/8 Thursday, closing at $22 1/2 (-3.74%). TODAY'S RECAP: Some newsy bits to start your day: 1. Fools in the Iomega Folder are abuzz over a Best Buy newspaper insert that is heavily promoting a free Zip drive to those who purchase a tower computer system. Apparently, this is a national promotion. ~SHERRMEYER~, in a post below, calls on all Iomega Board readers to check their Friday morning papers so that we may see just how widespread the campaign really is. 2. ~Chipcorder~ posted the latest short interest numbers for Iomega: up 1,168,147 over the previous month, and now standing at a whopping 26,398,514 shares. This figure is unexpectedly high, especially given that many observers were surprised at the number of shares held short in the last report, one month ago. ~Chipcorder~ notes that Iomega currently has the third-highest short interest of all Nasdaq stocks. 3. Fools are also reporting a new Zip television advertisement. This is apparently part of the Best Buy Zip promotion. For details, see the posts by ~Bigfootmm~ (2++) and ~MF Gameboy~ (10++) below. INDEX: Use the Search or Find feature of your word processor to locate the article number (Find: 1++, 3++, etc.)--or use AOL's Edit>>Find in Top Window Feature. If Find in Top Window is dimmed, just click on some text, anything, in the IOMG Today window and try again.
1++DJIA101362 worries about Iomega's management of the rebate
program. And now, the Best of the Board...Started 3 a.m. 10/24/96.
1+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: rebate concerns Date: 96-10-24 04:38:08 EDT From: DJIA101362
I just found this message in one of the web newsgroups on hardware storage. As a shareholder of IO, the message disturbs me in that these rebates are not being processed in a timely manner. Although IO may have nothing to do with the actual processing of the rebates, I think they need to be concerned and address any problems the clearing house may be having.
Is it possible that IO could have under estimated the rebates that would be redeemed due to problems with the clearing house mishandling the rebates?
Has anyone actually received a rebate from IOs Hold Everything Promo.
The following message is included in its entirety, typos and all.
**************************************************************************** > I have waited over 15 weeks for my rebate from Iomega for my > $50+$20+Cases rebate. > I at this time wish to see how many people are interested in starting > a class action lawsuit against Iomega Corp. for Feolny Fraud and > Misrepresentation. > > (800) 818-9728 x 933 and their fax number is: 314-827-8295 >
Rusty, I'll join you.
I received today a form letter dated October 8. Fourteen days is twice as long as a worst case I'd expect from the Postal Service.
It stated:
"Unfortunately, your recipt did not show the purchase of the product(s) specified on the coupon to be eligible for the Hold Everything promotion."
Fortunately, I have photocopies of my recipts with circled items and upc labels that I sent them along with two coupons as per instructions.
Obviously, Iomega is pressed for cash and can't afford to honour its rebates so they are trying to stall at every turn.
I called the store where I purchased a scsi zip drive and two 10 packs and spoke to a customer service manager. He said other people have called him about problems with the rebate and was collecting information for all of us to take to the store's (MicroCenter in Cambridge, MA) General Manager and hopefully Iomega. I faxed him my information and will follow up.
My next call will probably be to my state's Attorney General's office. Elections are coming up quickly and press about good prosecution never hurts. ***************************************************************************
One of my friends just purchased a Zip Drive today. I asked him if he got the coupon for the rebate and he said no. If appears that some people are not aware that there is a rebate program and I know the Computer City where he bought it does not have any signs up informing buyers of the rebate.
Are retailers required to have rebate signs up?
Also just another note, anyone giving a Zip Drive as a gift is not likely to send in the rebate coupon. It would seem kind of tacky asking someone youre giving a gift to, to return the UPC code so you can get the rebate.
I really hope IO straightens out this rebate mess soon. Blaming the clearing house will only go so far and at some point IO will need to step forward and make sure the rebates are being handled properly and processed in a timely manner.
Get ready Fools, Xmas is only 62 days away. 2+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: dogs, bathrooms and maggots Date: 96-10-24 04:54:21 EDT From: Bigfootmm
On the Discovery Channel about midnight there appeared a Best Buy ad. 'Twas for that free Zip drive, and nothing else.
During the ad the suggested use of 1.44 floppies was to use them as frisbies for your dog or to tile your bathroom. Seventy of them equal one Zip disk.
This is marketing at its finest. Finally, finally, finally, the Zip is going to be marketed with a vengeance. It is the thing that matters and that will make all the difference on the leafy road. The problem of supply must now be solved and IOM and OEM's can market to their hearts' content.
Make room in the history books, this company is going to the moon. Exceptional management and products only rarely come together at a time when a standard can be superceded by another. We are witness to this phenomenon and all I can say is that I am grateful for all the analysis done on this board and for all the goodwill that I have felt from many, many people hereabouts. The maggots that show up looking for carrion will starve themselves with the rest of us doing nothing. Let them be, let them chew, they will ultimately find no nutrition here. The only dying going on will be among themselves, and as they consume one another a few only will metamorphize and fly away to deadlier pastures. It is what they do, do not blame them, it is their nature. Let them go without comment and be glad that your place in life is above the stench.
Bigfoot 3+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Good News!!--Read this!! Date: 96-10-24 12:24:25 EDT From: SHERRMEYER
Dear Fools,
Please read this carefully!!
This is the first paragraph from the ZiffDavis Net (zdnet.com) lead story!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 23, 1996 Erasable CDs are a go, compatibility to come later
By John Poultney (john_poultney@zd.com)
Five prominent storage vendors Tuesday announced the next generation of compact-disc technology: CD-Rewritable, a disc format that records, erases and plays back data just like today's magnetic removable media. The newly standardized CD-Rewritable format, known until a month ago as CD-Erasable, will hold 680 Mbytes of data on media that should cost less than $25 per disc. Hewlett-Packard Co., Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., Ricoh Co. Ltd., Philips Electronics N.V. and Sony Electronics Inc. said they will make CD-RW devices and media widely available during the first half of 1997.
The group said the access times of upcoming CD-RW drives will be in the 300-millisecond range, precluding them from competing against fast-access products like the 1-Gbyte Jaz from Iomega Corp. of Roy, Utah. Instead, the technology will be positioned more as a publishing and data-distribution medium. However, until some new technology is adopted in mainstream CD-ROM drives, CD-RW discs will work only in CD-RW drives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The will be the cover article in the next PC Week Magazine!! Check it out!!! I hope that this helps, Thanks, Sheree
P.S. Please note that the Jaz drives access time is 10 milliseconds verses 300 Milliseconds for the CD-rewritable!!................I am back in!! sorry that I lost the faith for a few days 4+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Re:Good News!!--Read this!! Date: 96-10-24 12:49:29 EDT From: Quiltman
<<<<The group said the access times of upcoming CD-RW drives will be in the 300-millisecond range, precluding them from competing against fast-access products like the 1-Gbyte Jaz from Iomega Corp. of Roy, Utah. Instead, the technology will be positioned more as a publishing and data-distribution medium. However, until some new technology is adopted in mainstream CD-ROM drives, CD-RW discs will work only in CD-RW drives.>>>>
Uhh.. in other words, the people that are putting this product out don't even see this a mainstream product --- just a nice niche product for the publishing and data distribution medium (not backward compatible either). 5+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Re:Good News!!--Read this!! Date: 96-10-24 13:50:44 EDT From: MF Ben
<<<Uhh.. in other words, the people that are putting this product out don't even see this a mainstream product --- just a nice niche product for the publishing and data distribution medium (not backward compatible either).>>>
One could call 2.6 million expected units (CD-R and CD-RW in 1997) a niche market. However, CD-R and CD-RW do serve a purpose, do have a pretty nice sized market, and do act as pathmakers for DVD-R and DVD-RW.
With expected market growth a 25% annually and a small initial base market around 2 million, CD recording units are not, IMO, competition for the Zip drive. This does mean that their existence is without merit or profits. Companies DO sell niche products. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a "killer app" like the Zip. :-)
The Zip market is not the whole world. Perhaps it is to Iomega but PC products, even ones in storage, WILL exist and WILL be profitable and still will NOT compete with the Zip.
Cheers,
Benjamin 6+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Re:IOMEGA/oems Date: 96-10-24 16:44:22 EDT From: JohnE17909
Fellow Fools,
I've been thinking about that figure KE reported that (correct me if I'm wrong --I know you will :) --that 10% of revs came from OEMs this quarter.
As I recall, KE said in past conf calls that the OEM contribution was "insignificant" my word, but his meaning as I understood it. So insignificant that he gave no % number in the past.
Well, I've been playing with that thought--what is the rate of growth in OEM revenue contribution--at wholesale prices-- from "insignificant" % of Q2 sales to 10% of Q3 sales?
If "insignificant" was 5%, then 1) KE would've said 5% --and 2) we're looking at 100% increase in contribution--qtr to qtr.
If "insignificant" was 2.5% then 1)KE probably would have said 2.5% and 2) we're looking at 400% rate of growth in OEM revs-qtr to qtr.
if "insignificant" was about 1% or less, then 1) KE would have said "insignificant" and 2) we're looking 1000% growth or better in OEM revs- qtr to qtr.
(and that was a "challenging" quarter.
and increase in percentage is on increase in sales figures.
I know at startup, growth is more likely to look huge due to smaller starting numbers, but does anyone else see/believe an encouraging trend here?
Or am I overlooking something?
best of luck to all (especially the Braves tonight) John Erwin 7+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Comdex Preview Date: 96-10-24 21:05:10 EDT From: HarryR1807
Hi, Its HRPlbg posting under my old screen name. Didn't want to screw up the find new on this message board. I log all the post at work. I'm at home now.
The following comes from Comdex Preview Volume 14 Number 11 October 14, 1996
Page 4
OEM advances paced by small fast storage, improved graphics chips <<snip>> For manufacturers looking to answer users growing need for disk space and multimedia support, SyQuest offers its SyJet 1.5GB removable cartridge hard disk drive. Based partly on standard Winchester hard disk drive technology, the unit supports full-motion video. The SyJet has an MTBF of 250K hours, access times of less than 12ms and a minimum data transfers rate of 4MB/sec. Internal, external, SCSI EIDE, and parallel version are available, with OEM pricing starting at $289. Several OEM partnerships should be announced at the show. <<snip>>
Page 5
Full page ad from Mitsumi
of the ad is for 12x cd drive. The other says;
Preview 1997s breakthrough high capacity floppy disk drive technology at Mitsumis Comdex booth, L290.
Goes on to talk about other products
Page 33
Full page ad from Swan
Basically the same ad that weve seen in their earlier literature. Doesnt look too new except there is a reference to Zip.
Others Tried. Dons zip along - Fly! Non-contact magnetic recording is the technology driving our high-speed Swan ultra high capacity (UHC) floppy disk and drive. Just compare it to the other new floppy drives. <<snip>>
Goes on to state some specifications of the drive.
Heres what they say about backward compatibility with 1.44 floppies;
Todays engineering prototypes disprove yesterdays claims that floppies would soon be replaced. Innovative and reliable as a hard drive, weer betting that the Swan UHC Drive will become an OEM standard on future computing systems.
Page 61 under Exhibit Highlights
Iomega Corp. Address Booth S2031 Providing storage products that meet home or business computing needs, Iomega is displaying its removable storage systems including the Zip drive and 100MB Zip disk; the new (new is bold and underlined) high-performance Jaz drive and 1GB Jaz disk; and new (new is bold and underlined) Ditto backup drives.
Page 69 under Exhibits Highlights
Mitsumi Electronics Corp. Address Booth L290 Mitsumi is demonstrating its technology for backward-compatible high capacity (128MB) floppy disk drives, CD-R drives, 12X CD-ROM drive <<snip>>
Page 78-79 Iomega 2 page ad
<<snip>>
You can see hot new products. You can see cutting-edge technology.
<<snip>>
Page 147 New Product Directory Mass Storage
Addonics Technologies: Pocket Rocket 2.5-inch HDD, holds 1GB or more of data and can fit in jacket pocket.
Express Computer Supply: Fuji TK88 data cartridge with 2GB storage capacity.
Maxell Corp. of America: LS-120 120MB laser servo floppy diskette
Olympus Image Systems: PowerMO 2600SCSI 2.6GB 5.25-inch rewriteable optical storage drive runs at 3600 rpm with an effective seek time of 13ms, and a data transfer rate up to 6MB/sec.
Olympus Image Systems: SYS.230 INT-WIN personal storage system, a 230MB rewriteable 3.5-inch optical drive based on the MOS330E drive mechanism.
Pretec Electronics: 75MB Flash Card
Promise Technology: Floppy Controller for the LS-120 8+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Best Buy Explosion!! Date: 96-10-24 21:10:52 EDT From: SHERRMEYER
Dear Fools,
I was intrigued by all of the mentions of Big Colorful Flyers from Best Buy Corp featuring free Iomega Zip Drives appearing in peoples newspapers all over the country.
I did some research tonight and called around to three local "Best Buys" here in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. I spoke to the Managers at these stores and they confirmed that the Washington Post would be distributing 1.1 million Iomega/ Best Buy Flyers ( ie one for every subscriber of the Washington Post ) tomorrow offering a FREE IOMEGA ZIP DRIVE to E-V-E-R-Y customer that purchases a computer system at a Best Buy between 10/25/96 and 12/31/96. They said that this bright colorful flyer would also be in every paper sold in newsstands and vending machines here in Washington D.C. area tomorrow.
What is more, these people at Best Buy said that this Iomega/ Best Buy Promotional Insert was going to be distributed in virtually EVERY MAJOR NEWSPAPER MARKET in the United States tomorrow!-----October 25, 1996.
REMEMBER THAT DATE---OCTOBER 25, 1996
THE DAY THE WAR BEGAN !!
OK Iomegans, lets hear a newspaper channel check tomorrow. When you wake up, please grab your newspaper off of the porch--open it up and see if you've got an Iomega flyer in your city and report in. Lets hear what you see!! Hello New York, Hello Los Angeles, Hello Chicago.......
I'll be looking myself
Damn!.... Is this gonna be a great Christmas or what? 9+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: About Best Buy... Date: 96-10-24 22:38:02 EDT From: Scurvdog
This is big, kids...
BBY beat out archrival Circuit City in sales this year, 7.2bil versus 7.0bil. BBY has 251 stores in 29 states, and derives HALF its sales from PCs. CC derives only 25% of its sales from PCs. Source: Hoovers on AOL.
So, if Hoovers Profiles is correct, BBY sells about 3.6 billion bucks worth of PCs in a year.
At, say, $2500 for the average system, that's 1.44 million PC systems this year.
I'd guess that half this number occurs in November and December, and 85% are towers. That's 612,000 drives in the next two months, with lots of gigapaks for good measure.
Pretty tasty. 10++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subj: Best Buy TV Commercial Date: 96-10-25 03:26:29 EDT From: MF Gameboy
Dateline 10/25/96-Minneapolis--At 2:00 am I saw an ad on TV (Comedy Channel or TNT, can't remember which) for Best Buy, offering a free internal Zip drive with every tower computer. It made a big point of the Zip replacing 70 floppies per Zip disk. Very splashy commercial. The thrust of it was the ability to get rid of 70 floppies. But what to do with them? Remember the Martha Stewart ad where she's tiling her swimming pool with old credit cards? This ad has "her" (probably a lookalike) tiling her bathroom with floppies! Way fun.
End Report. Posts covered through 3:30 a.m. 10/25/96. _______________________________
WE
DELIVER - Get IOM
In Fooldom Today delivered
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
