Date   : Mon, 17 Jun 1985103:14:00-MDT
From   : Gern <GUBBINS@RADC-TOPS20.ARPA>
Subject: Random Computers, Inc - Beware!

A while back I posted a blurb on the unbelievable fantasic prices on
Random Computer Inc. of Boise, Idaho.

I called the Boise BBB and they said that they exist, are located at
that address and have no further data on them, either good or bad.

Myself, along with several others, took the chance and phone ordered
on Visa/Mastercard, and paid the 3% charge card fee for the added
protection.

I ordered a Hayes 1200 modem for $210 and a Prowriter 8510A printer
for $179.

When I got home after a 2 week business trip and the 'delivered in 15
days' items did not arrive and a friend from GE called to say that
they were a fraud, I phoned the Boise BBB again:

Random Computers Inc, is a scam.  The 3 individuals are wanted by the
FBI, Postmaster General, and by several Boise Banks (and my Visa
account).  Things started getting hot and they skipped town 11-JUN-85,
leaving the phone off the hook (now disconnected by the FBI).  They
bounced a lot of checks as they left and they got way with close to
$1M, mostly from orders by personal checks.  this is according to the
Boise BBB.

I did not get burned (I hope), as I paid the extra $14 to put it on my
Visa and will get my account number changed.  The stories of the World
Power Systems scam in May 1979 (refer Creative Computing) were in the
front of my memory when I phoned in my order to Random.

It just proves that if it is too good to be true, it probably is.  I
think that fact is what brought about Random's demise so quickly,
everyone was on top of them from the start.

Cheers, Gern