Category : Files from Magazines
Archive   : BTN0188.ZIP
Filename : BTN0188.3

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3.Recent Announcements From Genie
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GE Information Services recently announced the addition of new services and
rate changes.

Comp-u-store OnLine added.

Comp-u-store OnLine, offering a database of more than 250,000 products at
10-50 percent less than manufacturers' suggested list prices, is provided
by CUC International Inc., of Stamford, CT.

In addition to its broad selection and detailed descriptions of products
from leading manufacturers and wholesalers across the nation, Comp-u-store
OnLine also provides gift selections from some of the country's top
retailers including Express Music, Knotts Berry Farm, Radio Shack and
Hickory Farms.

"Comp-u-store OnLine gives U.S. subscribers of GEnie the opportunity to
peruse and purchase brand-name items ranging from cameras, VCRs and cars to
steaks, cheeses and chocolates," says GEnie General Manager William Louden.
"The variety, convenience and cost-savings of this service make it a very
attractive addition to GEnie."

Comp-u-store OnLine is a product of CUC International Inc., a membership
services company, providing consumers with access to a variety of services
including home shopping, travel, insurance, credit card registration,
prepaid legal, and extended warranties.

2400 Baud Price Reduction

Effective November 1st, GEnie reduced the 2400 baud surcharge rate for
access from $10.00 per hour to $7.50 per hour.

The basic rate for the GEnie service is still $5.00 per hour for non-prime
time access at 300 and 1200 baud, and the new reduced rate for 2400 baud
access during non-prime time will now be only $12.50 per hour instead of
the previous $15 per hour charged in the past.

The non-prime time rate for the GEnie service applies to use Monday through
Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. local time, and all day on Saturday and Sunday
and national holidays.

According to Louden, "Because of reduced prices for 1200 baud modems and
the increased demand by GEnie subscribers for the faster 2400 baud access
to GEnie, we felt it was appropriate to reduce the 2400 baud surcharge
price for GEnie."

More Access Numbers Added

GE also announced the addition of 44 more cities across the United States
which now have local telephone call access to the GEnie service, bringing
the total number of access nodes to GEnie to almost 50 cities across the
United States and in four cities in Canada. Local access numbers can be
obtained by calling GEnie Customer Assistance at 1-800-638-9636 extension
21.

Sign-Up Rates Increase.

Louden also announced that effective January 1st, the one-time, sign-up
rate for GEnie will increase from the original $18 to $29.95, but will
include two free hours of usage of GEnie - a $10 usage credit - if used
in the first 30 days after signup.

"In addition to the $10 usage credit, subscribers to GEnie after January
1st, 1988 will also receive at no cost the new GEnie user manual ( a $9.95
value with $2.00 for postage and handling), and a subscription to GEnie's
LiveWire newsletter," he pointed out.

"I would like to emphasize there is no increase in our basic hourly rate,"
said Louden. "It is still $5 per hour for non-prime access at either 300
or 1200 baud, and now $12.50 per hour for non-prime access at 2400 baud.
In addition, there are no monthly minimum charges on GEnie," he said.

GEnie, an online consumer information service for personal computer
enthusiasts, became operational in October 1985 and now has more than
73,000 subscribers.
-- end --

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