C2000 tells channel to hang up the phone and get InTouch

Computer 2000 has vowed that its Web prices are the lowest available in a bid to persuade resellers to order online and bring down administration costs.

Computer 2000 has vowed that its Web prices are the lowest available in a bid to persuade resellers to order online and bring down administration costs.

The distributor has stepped up its campaign to dissuade resellers from phoning for quotes, and place orders through its InTouch system instead.

Online orders account for 10 per cent of C2000's turnover. But resellers can still phone the distributor, said Andy Dow, marketing manager at C2000. "Online ordering does not replace the human element," he added.

Andrew Robbins, purchasing manager at Aberdeen Computer Services, said while he used InTouch, he would still telephone to negotiate better prices on big deals. He said InTouch was a good way to keep tabs on stock, but that resellers always prefer to talk to distributors.

Dow said the distributor would provide further incentives to order online next year, but refused to disclose details of the promotions.