If you listen to podcasts such as BSD Now (and if not, why not??), have hung around conferences or chatted with anyone that's been around open source for a while and iX are mentioned, you'll have heard tell of the magnitude of things they do for the community and the care they put into every aspect of their business..phrases such as 'white glove treatment', 'pre-sales engineers that are truly knowledgeable', 'experts in hardware and software' and 'attention to detail' will be heard, but its not until you actually go through the process with iX that you realise how, regardless of intent, you've likely subconsciously logged those phrases as 'standard marketing fluff' over the years and completely under appreciated their depth and value!
I'm delighted to say that by working with Thomas and his colleagues I've had the opportunity to discover how things really should be done - nothing is too much trouble and there is no pressure to make snap decisions or complete within some arbitrary time frame; International shipping and taxes - no problem ;O)
And the best bit (ok, this may be personal preference, but i doubt it lol) - thanks to the awesome (and i really mean that...its not a word we use on this side of the pond that often!) people in marketing - after hearing that there wasn’t really enough stickers and flashing horns to spread around..THEY SENT MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
would your vendor have thought of that?? ;O)