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Announcing WindowsRefund.net | |
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| Time: 10:06 EST/15:06 GMT | News Source: E-Mail | Posted By: Byron Hinson | ||
|
Many people are familiar with the Windows refund debate that started in the late 1990s. A Google search turns up dozens of pages belonging to people who have made attempts to provide helpful information to those seeking a refund. Browsing these pages reminds me of a recent trip I took to Salem, Massachusetts, where I participated in a guided tour through the burial grounds of the Witch Trials of 1692. Every link, another tombstone telling a piece of the bigger story, another graveyard where we can pay our respects to those who have suffered. | ||
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| #1 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 10/8/2002 11:13:12 AM |
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You know, this article is pretty good in comparison to the what's usually written concerning this topic. However, why should the OEM be expected to give a refund for components not used when the system is sold as a package in the first place? This is like when multiple products that are sold as a package and the individual components of that package are labled, "Not for Individual Resale" or similar. To use the usual car analogy: You buy a car, but want a refund for the cost of the tires because you intend to use the Z-rated ones you purchased instead of the OEM tires.
Of course, I'm not saying I'm against the refund. I'm just pointing out that the system vendor has contracts with MS and other partners to sell systems with their products, and stands to make the most money by selling those products. Why is this burden placed upon OEM system vendors in regards to the OS when something such as this is an insignificant factor when dealing with packaged products in other markets? Why don't people ask videocard vendors for refunds on the bundled software included with that purchase? If I want to run Linux on my new iMac or Sun box, should I be entitled to receive a refund for MacOS or Solaris? |
| #2 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 10/8/2002 11:29:23 AM |
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I have two ashtrays in my car which I never use. I demand a refund! I demand satisfaction!
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| #3 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 10/8/2002 11:35:57 AM |
| Only two ashtrays, sodablue? You clearly didn't order the smoker's package so we can't give you a refund. Sorry for the inconvienence -- Have a nice day !!! :-) |
| #4 By 9549 (63.88.169.2) at 10/8/2002 11:57:04 AM |
| #1 I agree but if it is such an insignifigant factor why do people bitch that windows costs so much and the totally free, but takes 6x as long to configure, linux os is so much better |
| #5 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 10/8/2002 12:52:29 PM |
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Ignorance?
In an OEM configuration (the configs that Linux advocates complain about paying the "MS tax"), Windows often makes up a small portion of the total system cost. This is because the OEMs get special deals on pricing because they deal in high volumes, and because the OS is often tied to the computer on which it is sold as part of the limitations of the OEM license. It's not like you are paying full retail price for Windows when you purchase a computer with it preinstalled. Also, the Linux advocates always act if there is an abundance of Linux users just waiting for large system vendors to sell computers with Linux preinstalled. Dell tried selling to them, but couldn't justify it, and soon stopped. There are plenty of online vendors that will sell computers without an OS, and (barring laptops) there is always the option of building your own system (I've done this several times, and find it more cost effective, and easier to upgrade and maintain). I've always wondered how such leet people that want infinite configurability (and dificulty) in an OS wouldn't prefer the same with their computer by building it themselves. This post was edited by n4cer on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 at 12:53. |
| #6 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 10/8/2002 2:13:05 PM |
| I just ordered a hamburger at McDonald's. It came with a couple of pickle slices. I DONT LIKE PICKLE SLICES ON MY BURGER. Will McDonalds give me a refund? Hell no. Should they? Hell no. Is this whole issue stupid? Hell yes. Do I like to say Hell? Hell yes. |
| #7 By 1845 (12.255.20.249) at 10/8/2002 2:58:52 PM |
| I don't like onions either on my burger, #6. In fact, I've always told them to hold the pickles and onions. Watch out Micky D's, you owe me a few thousand in undesired condiments. |
| #8 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 10/8/2002 3:02:20 PM |
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n4cer,
I believe this has changed, but what really started all of this was the wording in Microsoft's own Eula back then. It stated something like "If you do not agree to these terms, then return the software to your dealer for a full refund". The problem was that the dealer wouldn't take it back because at the time they were forced to sell Windows with every computer. In theory, that isn't a problem any more. In practice, it is. But that's a different story... TL |
| #9 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 10/8/2002 3:03:46 PM |
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#6,
Just order the damned thing without Pickles. At least at McDonalds, you can do that :) TL |
| #10 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 10/8/2002 4:49:44 PM |
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TechLarry - But why am I still paying for pickles?
I agree, I don't like tomatoes on my burgers and always order it without them. But it seems to me instead of paying $6.95 for a burger and fries, I should be credited the extra 25 cents that they saved by not putting tomatoes on the burger. Haven't you seen a restaurant charge 25 cents for adding cheese? Why can they charge for extras but not deduct for subtractions? |
| #11 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 10/8/2002 4:52:26 PM |
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Whats your point TL? Its not like its hard to find a pc without the OS...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000063SAO/qid=1034110180/br=1-7/ref=br_lf_pc_7//002-6866038-7590469?v=glance&n=863252 Ever heard of Amazon? They are a little unknown retailer. Its not that people can't find desktop pcs without the OS... its that the market doesn't want it. |
| #12 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 10/8/2002 8:47:57 PM |
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OEMs were never forced to sell Windows on every computer. They did, however, receive extra perks if they did this. There have been in the past, and are currently plenty of system builders that will sell a computer without Windows.
The only thing that "forced" big builders like Dell and Gateway to sell Windows was the contract they negotiated with MS. |
| #13 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 10/9/2002 9:19:20 AM |
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#11,
Like too many folks, you mix the average computer user/buyer with your own experience. You simply cannot do that. We are NOT all geeks. Sure, guys like us can find ways around the issue, but if, say, my Mom was out to buy a computer what do you think her chances of finding one without an OS would be? Most of US get around it by building our own machines. Something I doubt my Mom would be interested in... TL |
| #14 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 10/9/2002 6:09:07 PM |
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TechLarry, good point... but irrelevent to the issue at hand.
Just because your Mother can't locate a pc and build it, doesn't mean that MSFT is at fault somehow. For the purposes of the LAW, the fact that you CAN get a pc without the OS... is all that matters. BTW, can you get a Mac without the OS? Seriously, I don't know. |
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