Microsoft quietly raised last week its per-incident support costs across the board for Windows and Workplace. Support for Windows XP and Windows Vista now expenses $59 per incident. Prior to the Vista launch,
Windows 7 64 Bit, the per-incident assistance cost for Windows was $39. Vista consumers get their 1st ninety days of assistance for no cost. Assistance for Office XP and Workplace 2007 now goes for $49 per incident, compared to $35 per incident before lthe January 30 Windows Vista/
Office 2007 retail launch. Workplace 2007 customers also get their 1st 90 days of support for free of charge. A reader tipped me towards the alter. When I asked Microsoft for comment,
Office 2007 Pro Plus, a spokeswoman supplied me with the following statement: "Microsoft has expanded the pricing model for assisted support inquiries for consumers across all supported versions of Windows and Workplace products with the start of Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Workplace system. This alter was timed in conjunction with the worldwide start of Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office system to retail customers." (This is a novel use of "expanded,
Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2010," I have to say. How about "upped the price"?) Microsoft is attributing the changes to a desire "to provide more personalized assistance options based on customers’ technology usage." These changes are aimed at retail customers. If those customers happen to have volume-licensing contracts with Microsoft, they will receive a set number of absolutely free support calls in advance of these fees kick in. The new fees apply to e-mail support, individual Web-chat assistance and phone assistance. Microsoft's per-support fees depend on the product,
Purchase Office 2010, the spokeswoman said. * General guidance for personal products,
microsoft Office 2010 Serial, such as Money 2007, remains at US $35 * Operating system assistance is now US $59 (was $39 before). * “Scenario-based guidance,” such as networking, entertainment, and OS optimization, is now US $79. (Not clear what it was prior to; I have a query in to Microsoft on this.)Have folks out there used Microsoft's phone, email and/or chat support for Windows and Office? Was it worth $39 a call? What about $59?
Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2010 Microsoft raises su
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