[Richsolar]

I purchased Office Pro 2007 plus from Software Discount Zone because my trial had just run out.
The disc will not autostart so I ran the activation wizard on my PC but I kept getting "invalid product key". I tried lots of things including advice to uninstall the trial software first. I've done this and now seem to have lost everything on my laptop and can't even get the activation wizard to run. Help.

[MarkE19]

If the install CD/DVD will not autostart then go to 'My Computer' and double click on the CD/DVD drive to get the install to start.
If that doesn't work then right click on the optical drive and select 'Explore' from the drop down menu. then find the 'setup' icon and double click that and with a bit of luck the install should start.

Mark.

I also bought Office Pro 2007 from the Software Discount Zone and have had exactly the same problem - Autorun doesn't work and when I try the 2 suggested fixes nothing happens. When I try loading individual programs from Office I get prompted for a product key and when I put in the key on the packet it says it is not valid. I have e-mailed SDZ but in the meantime, any further suggestions would be welcome please!!

[Singh400]

Has it occured to either of you, that Software Discount Zone isn't re-selling this software legally?

[Richsolar]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm sure the software is legitimate. SDZ are going to replace the software because none of the suggestions worked on my laptop. Although SDZ can be rather slow to reply I'm very pleased with their solution and commitment to sort the problem out in the most effective way.

[DaveLeonard]

I too have just bought MS Office Software from this company.
The CDs appear genuine, with the holograms on but the packaging looks homemade. A dead giveaway is the "not for resale" on the discs, as they are only for sale with new PCs, so Software Discount Zone have no business selling these to private customers.

[echrada]

Originally Posted by Richsolar

Thanks for the replies.
I'm sure the software is legitimate. SDZ are going to replace the software because none of the suggestions worked on my laptop. Although SDZ can be rather slow to reply I'm very pleased with their solution and commitment to sort the problem out in the most effective way.

Hopefully they are above board.

[march38]

I have also bought Office 2007 from them and i cannot get the software to load. I keep on getting an error reading the disc. I have contacted them and they were going to send a replacement but i have not recieved anything. I am chasing but they have not replied. Do not recommend anyone purchase from them.

Can we contact Microsoft and download a copy from the web and re-use the key?

[Singh400]

Probably not March38. I would start getting a little concerned right now. Doesn't exactly look like a legit operation with so many people complaning.

[Stiggy]

Originally Posted by march38

Can we contact Microsoft and download a copy from the web and re-use the key?

You might be able to use your key with the Office 2007 Trial version which is free to download.

[MarkE19]

I doubt that will work as the OP stated that he tried to use the supplied license key with his trial version of Office 2007 and got the error 'Invalid Product Key'.

Mark.

[march38]

I
I have tried downloading but that did not work. The only option is to phone Microsoft and see if they would swap the license key for one that would work with their download. Not sure if anyone has ever done this?

If anyone else has issues, I have requested a refund via Google checkout. Apparently Google offer mediation service so I will let you know how that goes.

[peter:tekfobe]

Have you thought of trying open office.org, it has many of the features of MS office but is totally free!OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

[coll77]

A quick heads up on the software discount zone.

I ordered from them recently and they charged me twice for 1 product. The software was not sealed and looks unconvincing. On inspection it looks like a trial version stating in one place that licence must be purchased in 90 days. I emailed the company to verify what they had sent me and have had no reply yet [3 days].
Their terms and conditions state that items can be returned within 24 hours for a full refund - which contradicts distance selling laws in th UK- The problem with that is that they supplied no invoice in the £8 postage package [a jiffy bag with 90p postage on it.] so therefore I dont have an exact address for returns anyway. They dont seem to be on wormwood street london. If anyone knows the exact address please let me know.

I will be contacting my card company to raise the issue with them also and will post updates here when i have them.

[Stiggy]

Originally Posted by coll77

A quick heads up on the software discount zone.

I ordered from them recently and they charged me twice for 1 product. The software was not sealed and looks unconvincing. On inspection it looks like a trial version stating in one place that licence must be purchased in 90 days.

It might be worth reporting this to the Microsoft Piracy team, who will likely investigate very quickly.

[coll77]

Thanks for the link i will do that.

[darkmobius]

Considering there's no "reason" for selling them at such a low price (academic license, institution discount etc) I can't see how they would be legitimate.

I have also purchased from SoftwareDiscountZone with exactly the same problems as described above. I have emailed them daily requesting a refund, so far they have refused to acknowledge my emails or ring. I have contacted Google Checkout to mediate and for a refund.

[coll77]

Hi again.

So far i have informed Microsoft. Contacted my card issuer who confirmed that they have paid the supplier twice and they are now contesting the payments. I have sent a further message to the supplier requesting immediate refund for the double payment and requested a returns address for refunds. Also I have asked for mitigation through google checkout and I am now in the process of tracing the supplier through the ID mark given on their franking machine. ----- I have traced the person that set up the franking account and can now get a message to him/her.

So we will see how this pans out I will keep updating here when more information comes along.

[march38]

Hi,

I have also contact google and they have made contact. Google have informed me that i will be contacted by Software Discount Zone on how to return but i have heard nothing yet. I will be back in touch will google to chase.

Coll77 let me know how you get on.

[Stiggy]

My sad prediction is that Software Discount Zone will soon vanish and everyone's money will disappear with it.

[PWedro]

Good one Coll77,

If you do get an address do share it with the Forum.

I purchased two office 2007 pro copies (which did turn out to be just that!)
I reported discount software zone to the MS uk piracy team. And I am sure they are on the case.

I feel like a plonker for falling for it...

[Theydon Bois]

Thanks to all the new members all helping with advice. Sadly it looks like that old addage is true....if a price looks to good to be true, theres something dodgy going on....

Hopefully Microsoft UK will do something about it.

[coll77]

Looks like i am getting nowhere fast with the standard means of sorting this, no responses at all from the company. Google checkout dont seem to now how their own system works so getting them to contact the seller is proving difficult.

I attempted to install the software but there is a trojan on the autorun that my security software blocks so it is not possible to install.

Waiting on the response from my credit card company. Hopefully they will be able to get somewhere. If not i will report the theft to the police as i think they may well be interested in the company.

I will update here if there is any news.

Thank you for the update, Google Checkout were to reply with in five days but did not do so. I eventually got an email to say that they had 'shared my update with the seller', they gave no indication that they would try to resolve the matter, have monies returned or discontinue facilitating payments to SoftwareDiscountZone. Disappointed with their effort so far.

[march38]

Google checkout have advised me to contact my credit card issuer to look for a refund. They dont seem to have a huge amount of power or interest in resolving this. Has anyone had a response from Microsoft on this?

[Singh400]

I don't imagine Microsoft can do anything in regards to getting your money back. You have to remember that they were not officially licensed to re-sell Microsoft Office in the first place. The most they could do is help in getting the place shut down.

[john159]

I too seem to have fallen for this one, sent emails to google checkout and softwarediscountzone and spoken to trading standards who have siad they are acting illegally on al least three counts..... Just noticed though that on google checkout that the company is listed as softwareDEALzone.... if you go to this site it is identical apart from the name but in the contact details there is more of an address

SoftwareDealZone.com,
The Broadway,
Cricklewood,
London,
NW2 3JY,

Anyone else had any feedback/refunds about this?

[coll77]

Hello again,

I have managed to gain full refund. Mostly down to the fact that they charged me twice. When I requested a refund [on a few occasions] and they finally agreed, they refunded both transactions.

The software doesnt install and although they said they will send me a replacement I will not attempt to get one as it wont be "legal" anyway.

So the best thing to do is steer clear of these 'too good to be true' offers or you will end up telling them to

Good luck to anyone else that has issues with the supplier. If you really need to, you can get a message to the person that pays for their franking account by looking at smartstamp.co.uk calling them and quoting the ref no on the package. - I assume they change accounts regularly - They will have contact details for the person and although they wont give you the details they can get a message to them. It will take a little persuasion though. If not the police may well be interested to contact them.





I like that smiley

[john159]

Thanks for the update and glad you got your cash back!

I will ring smartstamp on monday, got the number off royal mail site, didint think they would give you info like that but will try it. Also have sent a direct email and one through google so hopefully might get some sort of response....

Since found out as my wife is a dr she can download an official copy of MS Office for 8.95 from MS site as she is employed by NHS and they do special downloads for employees!!!! I wish we had known this before!