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FIB - Scams 101
Bought Crappy Software -- Advice Requested -- (LONG & somewhat off-topic, sorry)
Posted By: MaaMaw
Date: Friday, August 31, 2007, at 10:35 a.m.(pst)
Dear Kiddies,
This is not a great loss but one I can ill afford -- and anyway, it GRIPES MY GUT.
Anti-scaminism still runs through my veins, and while this certainly can't be called "a scam," I am anxious to get the word out (which I will do LOUDLY if I can't get a refund, more discreetly if I can).
I'm guessing other people have found themselves the proud owners of downloaded junk, so maybe your answers will be useful to more than just moi.
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I spent $189 + $10 shipping for a totally idiotic piece of software.
I'm not going to name names here (YET), but believe it or not, it had nothing to do with the Bluebird of Happiness pooping money on my head or any of the stuff I fell for in a past life.
It's a "Complete Math Curriculum" for my two kidlets.
THERE WERE RED FLAGS...
==> Testimonials signed like this: "A.W., Flagstaff, AZ"==> Testimonials without even that much, just: "Order #641"==> A long (very long) list of school districts that *RECENTLY* bought the software (emphasize "RECENTLY" and stupidly ignore the fact that there were no old-timers that could be contacted).I didn't see them (or maybe I did and chose to ignore them, I'm not sure).
THERE WERE LOTS OF SCREENSHOTS...
And I suppose they should have been red flags, too (but it's comforting to note that a friend who is an experienced teacher said they would not have been red flags for her either).
They weren't because the website is very well done, and it gives you absolute confidence that there is more "under" the screenshots (e.g., hints, detailed feedback, in-depth explanations, etc.).
AND THE ONLINE DEMO...
It's very short and VERY well hidden. (It's hard enough to find the place that says SCHOOLS can order a demo CD-ROM, never mind the online demo that anyone can run; in fact, yesterday I couldn't find it to save my life.)
The demo is very simple -- again, giving the impression that there are more wonderful things to come.
SOMEWHERE THEY CLAIM TO PROVIDE "PLENTY OF REPETITION"...
which is, of course, "the key to learning math skills."
This is what they don't tell you until you're pretty deep into the lessons (HANG ONTO YOUR HAT!!)...
To the Student:
This program is designed to be used OVER and OVER...
Repetition is the key...(or some such rot)
TRANSLATE: A sign at the Teacher Supply Store saying, "Our math workbooks are designed to be photocopied 15 times and the same problems worked over and over."
How did I miss THAT?
Well, somewhere (which I can't find now), they recommend 20 to 30 minutes per day and state that each part of each lesson is designed to take about 30 minutes... which, based on the number of lessons, multiplies out to 180 days of school, or one full school year.
CONFUSING AND INCONSISTENT...
I haven't tried it on the kids yet, but there are problems for at least two reasonably intelligent ADULTS, including but not limited to:
==> Very inconsistent feedback which often makes no sense.==> Idiotic explanations.==> Often useless "hints."==> Steps MISSING if all the steps won't fit on the little screen (they just skip it and jump to the answer).==> Tons of "mousing" (it doesn't jump to the next box to be filled in, you have to click, click, click, click, click, CLICK!!).It is basically six thin, boring, very confusing "workbooks" that cost $31 each on the discounted "bundle" price.
THEIR REFUND POLICY...
is not surprising, but it is well hidden, mentioned only briefly at the bottom of their Privacy Policy which I never bother to click on. It says:
"The industry standard states: "Opened computer software and downloaded computer software, movies, music and downloaded music, and video games can be exchanged for the identical item but cannot be returned for a refund. The 100 pages of descriptions and sample screens on this web site are provided for our customers to research our product line thoroughly and know what they are getting before their purchase."That's fair enough. (I remember Jim Straw once saying, "The only way I can get my information back is to kill you," which makes good sense to me.)
I confess, I would have bought it even if I had seen their refund policy, because I was dazzled not only by their website but by their outstanding customer service (INSTANT replies to my emails and phone calls, even on Sunday).
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I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (sorry, I guess I took the long way around).
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1. Would you ever ask for a refund on downloaded software?
I would gladly sign an affidavit that every trace of it has been removed from my computer. (Since they don't know me from Adam, they have no reason to believe me or even care... I'm just one disgruntled customer... but if I put a detailed review on Scams 101, I expect it will reach the Top 5 on Google in short order.)2. Is the CD mine to do with as I please?
On their advice -- (because the kids use two OLD computers that could die at any time, and one doesn't have an internet connection) -- I decided to also order the CD-ROM version, for which I paid $10 shipping, and they gave me permission to put the program on two computers (even though it is printed on the CD case and on the website that it is for "one station" or "one computer" only).What I'm asking is this: Assuming they won't give me a refund, is the unopened CD-ROM mine to sell if I want to -- or would that be crooked since I also got the downloaded version?Before you pummel me to death with my own brownies... No, I am NOT turning into a con artist, but I do have to buy another math program, and money is scarce; I would delete all traces of the downloaded version from my hard drive and offer the CD for about 25%, explaining *exactly* what they're getting.-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to email them, tell them what I think of the program, and ask nicely... but I expect I already know the answer.
Then I *was* going to tell them I plan to write a review and it would probably be in their best interest to give me a refund... but threatening doesn't seem like the best plan.
I'm leaning toward
==> giving up gracefully...==> quietly posting my review here...==> putting a review in other places such as ePinions...==> and letting nature take its course.Any opinions? Has anybody ever fought for a refund on downloaded software and won? I suppose it would be blackmail or extortion or something if I mentioned my Scams 101 site...
Blessum yewz.
Luv,
MaaMaw
The World's Most COMPREHENSIVE Internet Marketing Course
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