Trouble Returning Roxio Easy CD and DVD to Staples

[solarblast]

Well, I took a chance on buying Roxio and do not really like it. It cost me $30 at Staples. It seemed a bit too minimal to me. For example, when I was trying to compose a VCD photo slide show, it gave me no sorting for ordering the images, seemed very slow and displayed almost thumbnail-like images for review. I think I can get along without it.

When I tried to return it to Staples, they said since I opened it (ha-ha), that I couldn't return it. How else do you find out if it's workable for one? Anyway, I would hope Roxio might take it back. Has anyone tried to do something like this. I had very good success with returning a MS OS once with a similar rejection by the seller. MS took it back and refunded my money.

I found out about Roxio Meida Creator later. It even has a Dummy book, $22.00, but Creator runs $80.00 with a $20.00 coupon. Too much for my tastes. However, I must say from browing the book at B&Noble that it looked pretty good.

[US Guy]

You could have downloaded an eval copy from Roxio.

Once opened, software is non refundable. Is some one playing xxxx?

[adam]

Most stores wont take back any software once its opened. Its too much of a temptation for some people to buy, copy, and return and then the store has to pay to repackage it.

If the product is not defective than the manufacturer has no obligation to refund your money either.

The best you can do is read reviews of software and try out any demo versions offered. Or in your case, just remember to avoid Roxio products from now on. I think they are all too limited too, but they are good for people without alot of computer experience...maybe.

[solarblast]

There is another alternative. Sell it on Amazon's marketplace.

Another aggravating part of this is that the product is made in Canada. That in itself is not unfortunate, but if I try to call the company for any reason, I have to pay international phone rates, 75 cents per minute under the best of conditions. $1.20 or so in prime time. They have no 800 number. To get a low rate, I have to signup for an international rate with our phone company, SBC. That's $3.95 a month and five cents a minute under the contract. That means I incur a minimum outlay of $3.95 just to call Roxio, since the SBC contract is good for 1 day to any months I choose. I've run into the Canada problem before. I think Corel is another such company. Maybe Corel owns Roxio.

Well, Monday I will see if the can contact Roxio by mail and get a refund, as in the case of MS I mentioned. I hope more companies follow in MS's footsteps on this.

BTW, the Staples clerk recommended the s/w.

[p_l]

Those cheap bastards don't even have a toll-free number?!





They say they do have a 30-day return policy, but only if you bought it directly from them.

http://www.roxio.com/en/support/service/cs_refund.jhtml




Bottom line: stay far away from Roxio products.

[solarblast]

Thanks for the Roxio URL. It looks like I'll be advertising on Amazon. I'll probably send them a message implementing a refund policy like MS.

I think after a few years Corel finally made an 800 # available to its customers. Roxio should follow their lead.

Three times I've purchase software that I couldn't return that turned out be be an unfortunate choice. Red Hat Linux 9, Roxio as above, and Studio 8 (I think that is what is called). I guess the lesson there is to either find a 30 day download or find a review. However, I've found some reviews quite useless. Too bad Consumer Reports magazine doesn't review software, although I think they do sometimes for very consumer oriented packages like photo album software. PC Magazine does a very good job, but I do not subscribe.

Did I mention I used the Roxio Roxanne message support feature to send them a support question Wednesday. I'm still waiting for an answer.

[solarblast]

Well, this is interesting. I happen to have a Sam's Club ATT card, and I recalled last year that when I was out of the US, I got some very good rates for calling back to the US. I decided to try it on Canada. It worked and I got some low rate. Probably in the neighborhood of 15 cents a minute.

I looked at he URL above for support and refunds and thought I'd give it a try despite the wording that says there's a 30 day refund for purchases made directly through Roxio. They accepted my explantion and are sending me info on how to get a refund for my Staples purchase. I'll believe all this when I actually get the e-mail from them. For some reason, it won't get here for 24 hours.

[hech54]

I liked Roxio EZCD5 Platinum for audio CD creations. I actually miss that program. It doesn't always work after you upgrade to SP2...which is what happened in my case. MUCH better than Nero for simple CD creation.

[BJ_M]

roxio is not based in Canada .... though they have an office here....

they are:

Roxio
455 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 367-3100
(408) 842-9632 customer service for USA (though thy prefer you call the 905 number)

the "Customer Service please call (905) 482 5200" phone number is also for anywhere in north America and that number is Markham Ontario (north of Toronto) , normal phone rate to there from usa should usually be the same as calls within the usa or very very close -- if not, you are getting major ripped off ..

but they do have a toll free number - in fact two. I think these are unadvertised !!

1-866-279-7694
1-800-518-2432

[MAWMark]

I don't have a problem with roxio's products, in fact, i like them. it is common sense that you can't buy computer software, or cds or dvds for that matter, and be able to return them. otherwise everyone would buy the stuff, copy it, and return it.

But don't crap on roxio just because you can't return their product. I guarantee if you tried the same thing with nero, or any other product, that you wouldnt be able to return those either.

[p_l]

Except what do you do if the software is defective, as was the case for the infamous out-of-sync VideoWave 4 I bought? I even spent over a year on their boards trying to help come up with a solution. Even though I eventually became a so-called "Digital Guru" over there...



...the fix never came, and in the end I and many others felt ripped off by Roxio. I appreciate the need to prevent people from copying and returning stuff, but there should be some avenue of recourse for people who purchase defective software. If you bought a VCR that didn't play the video and sound in sync, you'd damn well return it and get your money back.

[adam]

If the product, any product, is defective you ALWAYS have the right to either get it fixed or replaced or to get your money back. Did you try to get your money back? If they refused you should have let the Better Business Bureau handle it.

[hech54]

I always thought the BBB was just a place to report/research bad business practices? I dont think they can actually do squat about getting your money back can they?

[adam]

Yes they can. They contact the company and refer them to the specific transaction/problem in question and investigate whatever the claim is. Often the company will just refund the money to avoid problems.

Your real rememdy is to file a civil suit, usually in small claims court. But for such a small purchase its better to just try to get the company to cave.