Do you think that Microsoft are justified in charging $49.00 for an email response when you have a problem?

Question

Even though I understand that most people who use Microsoft's products WILL have problems at some point and therefore millions of people would like to contact them for help, it just seems like they're pulling a bit of a ****'s trick by getting the customers to pay for Microsoft's mistakes.

2U · Accepted Answer

NO.

I can see no possible justification, and consider it outrageous. It's authorised theft, and only happens because of the monopoly we've granted them (or they've rudely snatched from us) over the past decade.  Daylight robbery.

BTW, who wants to bet on whom Jeff, just above me, works for?

Anonym · Answer

You are allowed to make 2 free support queries for most MS products including Windows.  You need to register your products when you install them to get your free support.

I'm not sure why people pick on MS.  I think the Internet has convinced certain people that everything should be free.  If your car breaks down then you do not expect it to be fixed free-of-charge, so why do you expect MS to fix problems free-of-charge?  They have to pay staff wages to deal with customer problems.

No one is able to know whether you are correct in making the statement 'Microsoft made a mistake'.

Steven · Answer

There is free information in their help files. There is so much free info on the net on almost every topic under the sun. Microsoft have emplyees to pay too. If you could get away with it, wouldn't YOU charge $40 for an email response, just so you undercut them and still earn for your time...

PS: That will be $38, please. (Invoice in the post)

Anonym · Answer

Why don't you post a question/problem on one of their newsgroups? You'll receive a reply back from one of their people and others free of charge. I typically get a response in an hour or two. I couldn't live without this resource.

http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups

Cupcake · Answer

Yes, they can, simply because you are using their products and if you needed help, they expect you to pay through the nose, their fault or not.
Thats why internet are full of help forums. You can find almost all solutions you need without calling them, just a matter knowing where to look.

MLM · Answer

Yes, I think it is crap as well.

You can join a free technical group such as CastleCops, AumHa and others to get free advice that is often better than what Microsoft has to offer.

unhunkyguy · Answer

its not bugs or fault that microsoft has, its faulty add ons or 3rd party software....but charging that much IS bull$#it

founder · Answer

hm i don't' know but i don't think they should charge anything for a e-mail response at all.

Miami_Babe · Answer

Are you kidding me?? I havent heard of this as of yet.

William E. Roberts · Answer

Where did you get this information?

Do you think that Microsoft are justified in charging $49.00 for an email response when you have a problem?

12 Antworten