[Coco] Did you know that...

[jdaggett at gate.net]

On 13 Jan 2010 at 12:27, Christian Lesage wrote:

> Long before the PC era, Tandy once sold computers made by other 
> manufacturers, like the IMSAI 8080, the Vector-1, the SWTPC 6800, and 
> the Sol-20.
> 
> If you doubt it, take a look at this 1978 catalog : 
> http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r/Tandy_TOC_Frames_Page.htm
> 
> This is a strange catalog, indeed. I never heard of it before. Note that 
> most of the third-party computers cost quite a bit more than Tandy's own 
> TRS-80 Model I, which was featured on the very last page and the back 
> cover. Marketing strategy? Were they really interested in selling those 
> third-party computers?
> 
> Did you buy any of these from Tandy? Tell us about your memories!
> 
> Christian
> 

Christian

I was 26 when that catalog hit the mail. I seem to remember that around that period there 
was Radio Shack that sold direct to consumers via the stores. Then there was Tandy that 
handled mail order equipment. I do remember that there was a period in the 70's that you 
could order stuff from the Allied radio catalogs via Tandy through the Radio Shack stores. I 
seem to remember that for a period in the 70's Allied Radio and Electronics was owned by 
Tandy. 

So it is possible that the catalog you have is a mail order catalog that never appeared in the 
stores. It was intended for mail order and possible educational and commercial orders as well 
as consumer orders. 

james