Editorial: Warning!

-- Getting a really good deal on a computer system is tough. It seems that one has to be lightning quick. Over the years, I have called many advertisers in the back of MacWEEK and Macworld when I've seen what looked like an excellent bargain on a computer that I was particularly interested in. Every time without exception I have been told that the item was sold out. For example, last week on receipt of MacWEEK I emailed Data Micro Computer, Inc. and asked about a 7600/132 and a 8500/120 that they offered for $1,295 and $1,395 respectively. I was particularly interested because there was no note that they were refurbished. Yesterday, I got a response saying they were sold out with no other information or offer of an alternative computer. Yesterday, I also got this week's MacWEEK and Data Micro has an ad for a 7600/132 for $1,449 (it has a 1 GB hard drive rather than a 500 MB one). I am not sure why they didn't offer me that computer as an alternative nor mention the 7300/180's that they now advertise for $1,359. Perhaps they are sold out.