Bean

http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/...2/20/8257/4850

I mean, I can see it from the customers point of view, and it makes sense. But I also have the special position of being able to see it from the retailers point of view, and this is ridiculous. This is another example of people who have no idea what they're doing when it comes to computers, trying to make themselves feel smarter by attacking people who do. Somehow I get the feelng that this woman had no intentions of keeping said software in the first place.

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Gitch

She's probably already copied it (I would have). The problem is a sloppy one and easily solved. Simply print out a copy of the EULA and hand it over along with the product in the shop. That way the customer gets to read the EULA without breaking the seal. If you agree, then you can simply click YES as you install. But you know why it'll be resisted? Because more people will read the EULA. I'm as lazy as anyone when I install software - I can't be bothered to read it and just click through. But as I sit there, bored waiting for the software to install.... I may just pick up that piece of paper and flick through it.

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If masturbation is self-abuse - you are obviously doing it wrong.

Bean

The problem with that is then it becomes the responsibility of the guy behind the cash making 6 bucks an hour if the customer comes back and says he/she never got the EULA. It makes it way to easy to deny ever having received it. They need to print the warning on the back of the box, or in some way afix it to the packaging so that it can be read without opening the package, and the customer can't deny ever getting it just because they want a refund.

Believe me, when a customer comes back bitching and moaning that she has a perfectly legitimate reason for making a return, and she's totally different than the last 50 people you saud no to, if she has any hint of a reason whatsoever, the company will usually cave and let her have a refund. Jewel case software is the worst. You get people with windows XP buying up all of this dirt cheap 95/98 software that only works half the time, and they come back screaming that it's defective. You rty and explain that just because it works in 98, doesn't mean it works in XP. So of course then you get the argument of "why didn't you tell me when I bought it".

No, the answer here, is that if people want to go out and spend thousands of dollars on computer equipment, learn how to fucking use it. When you buy a brand new car for 20 thousand dollars, does the dealer teach you how to use it? Or is he responsible of you buy the wrong parts for it? Fuck no. The responsibility is the fucking buyers, not the retailers or even the publishers.

Even with that little rant, I still think that the EULA should be easier accesible, but this case is another in the disturbing trend of taking all responsibility and copability off of the users shoulders and planting it squarely on the "big bad companies".

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Cymro

Well, I bought an LOTR game DVD-ROM last week without knowing it was on DVD till it came through the post, so when I got it, I didn't remove the seal, as I could clearly see it wouldn't work on my computer. So I had to either send it back and asked for a refund (it was still sealed and totally unused) or upgraded my PC. It was my fault for not reading the system spec, so I didn't complain, I MADE it work on my PC.

Although, in some cases, a little cashier assistance is needed, as my Metallica DVDs are region 1, with no indication of this on the packaging whatsoever, so I was lucky that the internet is good for all sorts of meddling.

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"Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.

"But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."

Daxie

You know, an easy fix for the merchant would be to print on their reciepts that (other than manufacture defects) once the seal/packaging is opened the product can't be returned for any reason.

Problem solved.

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>Hagar: "Before we go into battle today let me remind you what we're fighting for! We're fighting for justice! We're fighting for equality! What could be more important than that?"

>>Eddie: "How about a steady paycheck, health insurance and a good retirement plan?"

Bean

Most merchants do that already. Not to mention post many signs within the store stating the refund policy on software.

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Daxie

Well so what's the problem? If somebody brings back software wanting their money back, the seller needs only to point to the return policy and say "if you bought it and don't want to agree to the terms your tough luck... go fuck off."

Doesn't all software come with some sort of terms and conditions? I would assume that it should be expected when you buy a software disk and if you don't agree with the terms, sorry about your luck.

Guess I wouldn't make a good retailer.

__________________
>Hagar: "Before we go into battle today let me remind you what we're fighting for! We're fighting for justice! We're fighting for equality! What could be more important than that?"

>>Eddie: "How about a steady paycheck, health insurance and a good retirement plan?"