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What Now? Quidnunc Newsletter
October, 2001 · No.35

We are 7!!!

From October 29th through November 4th, Quid’·nunc will celebrate its 7th anniversary.
We will commemorate this milestone with a seven-day extravaganza of daily specials and a party with food and drink on the weekend. Check our web site www.quidnunc.net or come into the store for a list of the specials.
In addition, the weekend party will feature a Saturday demonstration of music hardware and software. Come see how to use a music keyboard and a joystick to create your own music.
We opened Quid'·nunc as a software store in 1994 in two-thirds of the present space. However, it quickly became apparent we needed to provide more than just software. As our customers’ needs became apparent, we added ink cartridges, cables and a few hardware upgrades such as CD-ROM drives, video cards, modems and sound cards. Bill Hibler was here alone, sometimes looking longingly at the door and hoping for company if not a customer.
Over the next two years we continued to add hardware and accessories. Then, after listening to our customers’ tales of woe in dealing with Internet providers, we started our own Internet service in April of 1997.
Our emphasis on customer service meant that we often found ourselves helping with installations of software and determining problems with hardware. More and more customers brought in computers with problems and we found ourselves using the counter, computer stations intended for software displays and anyplace we could find a clear piece of floor to do the service work.
Somehow the word spread and more people brought in their computers for repair. When we found ourselves with over 20 computers stacked up on our floor, we realized we were in the repair business. Because so many of the repairs we were doing were related to the type of computers people had bought, we finally gave in to our customers’ requests to begin building our own systems.
To properly repair and build computers, we needed more space. Consequently, we expanded into the space next door when it became available in 1998. We built a complete service center and hired the people necessary to staff it (and two-thirds of that staff is still here!).

Click on Bill to begin our online survey

It is obvious that we have been successful largely because our customers have appreciated our efforts to provide quality products with personal service at competitive prices. We ask customers how they found out about us and nearly one-fourth have responded that their friend/neighbor/relative (etc) told them. In addition to West Seattle, we have regular customers from Tacoma to Everett and we even have a customer in Portugal who stops in to see us each year when he comes to the USA.
Our favorite boast is that we are the most full-featured computer store in Greater Seattle. The big super stores may have more boxes, but none do everything we do.

  • We build and repair computers in our A+ certified shop and we sell quality laptop computers.
  • We have over 400 Internet customers including nearly 100 on DSL.
  • We host web sites for nearly 100 businesses and we now offer web site design services (watch our own site change over the next couple of months).
  • We have a complete line of accessories and peripherals including printers, scanners, web cams and specialty hardware for composing music.
  • We offer network installation services for homes and small businesses.
  • We have a full line of software for home and business including bargain items for both PC’s and Macs.
Bill no longer looks wistfully toward the door hoping for a customer. In fact he sometimes tries to hide to get respite from the trials of being a successful storeowner. Right now, however, he would like to thank the over 20,000 people who have come through our doors over the past seven years. Please join us October 29th through November 4th and allow us to show you how much we appreciate your business.  

Computers, software and Internet. With service for all.

Repairs

Computers are funny things. Many times they, much like humans, tend to hide their problems, giving just a few minor indications that something is wrong. Then, when a tech probes, they tell all their ills and let you know that what looked like a minor problem is really something big.
This is why time in the shop for service is such a hard thing to predict.
When you bring your computer to us for repairs we sign you in, listen to what you have to say as you describe the problem and then try to give you an idea of how long it will be until we can put it on the bench. During the past months checking into our bench took 3 to 5 days. This time depended on how many customers were ahead of you and how long it took us to solve their problems and fix their computers.
Once your computer is ‘on the bench,’ we run a series of diagnostic tests that try to pin point problems with your computer. It doesn’t do us any good to try to fix blue screens of death if your memory has gone bad or your hard drive is failing. We have to be sure that your computer is getting the proper voltages and is not overheating. We check video memory and all other problem areas. Often what’s wrong with the computer is quite different than what we thought might be the problem after talking to you, the customer.
If the hardware is O.K. we go on to the software, and can usually fix the problem in an hour or two. If it is a hardware problem we call you, explain what is needed, give you an estimate of the costs, and let you decide what to do.
If you give us the go ahead, we order the parts. This can take from a few days to a few weeks depending on availability of the needed parts. Often parts for older computers are not readily available or are so expensive that repairing the computer is not a viable option.
When we get the parts, we complete the work, test your machine and call you with the good news your machine is ready. Most of the time we are able to repair your machine the same day it gets put on the bench. If, however, yours is one of the ones that has been hiding a serious problem - bear with us. We want to do the job right the first time, and sometimes that takes a little bit longer.  


Custom-Built Computers ! Games ! Productivity ! Utilities ! Modems ! CD-ROM

Quid'·nunc Does Laptops!

Chembook by ChemUSA

Quid’·nunc is now selling laptops. ChemUSA is our supplier and we can provide any configuration that is available from other laptop manufacturers. In fact, we can now custom build a laptop. To see some of what we have to offer go to the Chembook web site, www.chemusa.com. You can browse the different models that are available and get a good idea of what each one offers. Then contact Quid’·nunc for a quote.
If you want to stop in the store, we’ll be glad to discuss your needs and help you select the laptop and the components that will best suit you. Quid’·nunc will give you the same quality service and support on the laptops that you have received on our desktop models. Right now we have some super prices on the 3830. Take a look.  

State of the Art

When you buy a new computer from Quid’·nunc you not only get top end components, you also get the latest and greatest, within reason. We don’t want your computer to be obsolete the moment you leave the store. We also don’t want to load you up with a lot of new, untested, expensive technology. So, the question we are always asking is, when should we recommend that new CPU, or when should we recommend that new video card?CPU / tower
Besides reading the reviews, and checking the tech reports, we also build in store computers just to test new components.
A few weeks ago we made major changes in our custom built towers. We found a combination of motherboard, memory, CPU and hard drive that speeded up computers into the gee-whiz area. While building and testing we also discovered that a larger power supply and additional cooling was needed. This indicates how thoroughly and carefully our techs do their job, spotting potential problems before a computer gets to a customer.
Remember, at Quid’·nunc, we don’t build a computer to sell for a specific price. We get the best, most advanced components that we know will be reliable. Surprisingly, you can get all of this for only a few dollars more (and sometimes less!) The next time you’re thinking about buying a computer, stop in at Quid’·nunc. Let us show you what we build and give you a quote. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.  


 

Come and Join the Party!


From October 29th through November 4th,
Quid’·nunc will celebrate its 7th anniversary.


We will commemorate this milestone with a seven-day extravaganza
of daily specials and a party with food and drink on the weekend.


Don’t miss the fun!



Want to record your music? Burn a CD? Quid'·nunc has everything you need!

 

Class Schedule


 Introduction to Computers & Windows 95/98 - Fee: $175
 Introduction to the Internet - Fee: $175

 Please call the store for schedule at (206)932-8795.


Quid'·nunc, Your Neighborhood Software Store
Coupon A

$5 OFF
Any Purchase
Over $50

Not to be used with other offers.
Expires 12/31/2001



Coupon B
3 months
FREE Internet

with any new computer
Not to be used with other offers.
Expires 12/31/2001



All new computers now shipping with Windows XP !
 
What Now? The Official Quid'·nunc Newsletter
Published by Quid'·nunc...Your Neighborhood Computer, Software & Internet Store

4306 SW Oregon Street - Seattle, WA USA 98116
One block north of California Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street

Tel: 932-8795. Fax: 932-8183     quidnunc@quidnunc.net

Hours
Mon-Fri: 10-7
Saturday: 10-6
Sunday: 11-5