|
View Full Version : Norton Anti-Virus RIPPED ME OFF !!!
transio 11-14-2003, 04:54 PM Norton Anti-Virus Ripped Me Off!!
Basically, I got a virus on my computer and got scared, because I didn't have my business A/V disk at home, so I decided to buy "Norton Internet Security 2004" for download so I could resolve my problem quickly.
When I clicked the link to add the $69.95 software from Symantec (the maker of Norton) to my shopping cart, the Symantec Store automatically added ANOTHER product, a $6.99 "Extended Download Service", which I didn't request. What is this thing?
When I read the brief (ambiguous) description, it seemed at first glance as though it was required for download of the software... and I was rushed by my panic to clean my computer, so I just decided to buy it in case it WAS required... I had to get rid of that virus!
It turns out (they tell you in the 5 page "detailed" specification) that it's NOT required for download, and that you can't return it once you install the software and use it. So basically, it's a way for Symantec and McAfee (they do it, too) to make an extra 10% off of flustered consumers who have a virus on their machine!
I've been bamboozled!!!
I have decided that since Symantec sold me the "Extended Download Service" that I didn't request or want, that I would sell it on eBay. The funny part is that the service allows whoever buys it to download "Norton Internet Security" (the $69.95 software that I purchased willingly) from Symantec and, if they choose, install it illegally!
I have not posted the link to my eBay auction at the request of the WHT Mods.
Amish_Geek 11-14-2003, 05:00 PM Interesting...
I get norton AV free from my school... so whenever I have a virus problem on a system that doesnt have it, I log onto the school web-page, and download Norton.
Daryl 11-14-2003, 05:02 PM Lucky you...:) My subscription just expired a couple of days ago and I have to go and buy another one...just dont have the time :)
blue27 11-14-2003, 05:07 PM Norton did not rip you off. You made a purchase, you agree to the final price and in your rush to do so you didn't read the fine print.
Don't blame Norton, blame yourself.
I'm sure your computer would have survived the extra 15 minutes it would have taken you to read all of the terms.
Xshare 11-14-2003, 05:10 PM yea. what he said. Anyways, I also get Norton from my school. The best anti-virus in my opinion.
Last time I bought Norton AV... I paid $13. I'm too cheap to spend the $25 to renew my subscription.
And, as everyone else stated, Symantec did not rip you off. You saw the price before paying.
Xshare 11-14-2003, 05:12 PM Yea, just buy the CD from the store and re-install.
/me twiddles thumbs with his Norton AV Corporate edition that never expires ;)
Yes, it's "legal"
transio 11-14-2003, 07:08 PM Originally posted by blue27
Norton did not rip you off. You made a purchase, you agree to the final price and in your rush to do so you didn't read the fine print.
Don't blame Norton, blame yourself.
I'm sure your computer would have survived the extra 15 minutes it would have taken you to read all of the terms.
I 1/2 blame myself, but I'm no idiot... I'm not easily fooled. I am an educated consumer, and I actually work in Marketing myself !!! This is a sneaky, dirty way of making money. Even if it's LEGAL, it's not ETHICAL.
Either way, it's the last time I do business with them OR McAfee. I want an A/V company that's more interested in making a better product than how to maximize its profit margin through BS "services" like "Extended Download Service".
Also, I want clarification on something. Everyone here is in agreement that it's ok for a company to add 2 charged items to your shopping cart when you click "Add" for only one item? I personally think that's disgusting and wrong, and if it IS legal, it shouldn't be!
blue27 11-14-2003, 07:18 PM What is the Extended Download Service?
Protect your purchase with our Extended Download Service.
We'll keep a backup copy of your digital file, for a period of 2 years, should you need to re-download it for any reason. If you do not purchase the Extended Download Service you have 30 days from the date of your purchase to download your order.
It all looks pretty easy to figure out to me. The charge is obviously there and easily removed. And the explanation of what the extended download is there as well. It's a simple pop up, not some five page TOS.
Have you tried AVG - The free antivirus?
www.grisoft.com
sid007 11-15-2003, 02:17 AM Originally posted by transio
I've been bamboozled!!!
Bamboozled :. eh? I hate when that happens LOL :)
McAfee :. Read an interesting article about them :. Their making major bucks selling their Anti-Virus software :. After all intangible items are the way to go :. No Shipping :) Sell them over & over and . . . you get the point ;)
That additional file / program / service you paid for is just another nice way for them to make ~$7.00 :. every penny counts :. smart but a bit unethical.
See the post above mine :. go with AVG. I've used both and AVG updates their definitions more often than McAfee.
Originally posted by amish_geek
Interesting...
I get norton AV free from my school... so whenever I have a virus problem on a system that doesnt have it, I log onto the school web-page, and download Norton.
Ok, i haven't been in school for a few years, but am i right in thinking your school are offering you free downloads of paid software for you and your friends?
vibesolutions 11-15-2003, 03:22 AM Originally posted by IHSL
Ok, i haven't been in school for a few years, but am i right in thinking your school are offering you free downloads of paid software for you and your friends?
Many schools do it. It isn't "Free". It is "free" to students but the universities foot the bill by paying McAfee, Microsoft and other companies thousands of dollars. Maybe 70,000 a year to mcafee to give campus wide access to download Mcafee antivirus or distribute it on a CD rom.
Some schools may make some of it back by having a technology fee that students must pay to go to the university.
But the guy said that he downloads it for any system that has a problem.. surely that's against the rules/policy of the school and/or symantec?
transio 11-15-2003, 03:50 PM Originally posted by blue27
It all looks pretty easy to figure out to me. The charge is obviously there and easily removed. And the explanation of what the extended download is there as well. It's a simple pop up, not some five page TOS.
What are you, a McAfee employee?
It may be easy to remove, but you don't want to take chances if you have a virus and have to wait a week in case removing it means they're gonna ship it to you.
It may be easy to understand when you're not concerned with more important things, like losing all of your work and personal photos for the last 6 months that you haven't backed up because you're out of CDs.
At that moment, you' just want to get teh software and get it installed, much like when you're in an Emergency Room. And just like an emergency room, these A/V companies are raping the people they save. F*ck that. F*ck them. And F*ck you for not agreeing. How's that?
blue27 11-15-2003, 03:53 PM Bye, bye little boy.
Come over to my house, and sign this contract, i swear it doesn't say i own your soul and you will pay me every cent you make and everything you own for the rest of your life. Including your children and their children, and so on ;)
It's just, um, a contract for me to give you that $100.
|