Getting your Microsoft Tax Refunded: 10/10 for Amazon UK! [Updated]
Yesterday I received a great prize from the people at Miserware for helping with the Beta trial of their power saving software for Linux computers; a new and very shiny Asus 1008HA netbook PC.
The PC itself looks brilliant and I can’t wait to use it. However, it is unfortunate that Asus seem to have been bought-off by Microsoft so they will no longer sell these devices with anything other than Windows software. Software that I for one have absolutely no intention of using.
Turning the machine on for the first time I was amazed at just how long it took for the first-time-run license window to appear. Anyway, it did eventually:
If you can read the text in the EULA on the left, the important bit states:
“If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE, and you should promptly contact Manufacturer for instructions on return of the unused product(s) for a refund in accordance with Manufacturer’s return policies.”
Do also take a look at the conditions imposed in the second box too (click the images for a big piccy). Basically it says you can’t change your mind once you have said yes and that they don’t actually provide any “warranty” anyway. What complete and utter claptrap. Why on earth do people continue to put up with this rubbish?
And so, when you say you do not want to accept their unfair and ridiculously one-sided licenses, you are told to turn of the machine. Fine. Suits me.
First off I thought I’d ask Amazon what the correct procedure is for requesting a refund. So I sent them an email from my Amazon account last night (at about 10:00pm):
This morning I had one of those slightly annoying automated replies telling me that because the order wasn’t actually to do with my account (which is correct):
“For security reasons, we can only take action on an account when the request comes from the e-mail address related to that account. Hence we request you to contact us from relevant account.”
There were a couple of helpful links in the mail – one of which was to use if you found the email response hadn’t been helpful or resolved your issue. Clicking that took me to a page on Amazon’s site where I was invited to get them to call me. Within 20seconds or so I was talking to a real person (probably in Ireland from his accent). I explained that I didn’t want the Windows XP software and was intending to format the drive and install Linux (he seemed to understand exactly what I was talking about). He asked what version of Windows was on the computer, and then basically said ‘OK. We’ll refund the cost of the license to the buyer’. And that was it.
I should point out that the chap at Amazon also suggested that I check with Asus that removing the software might invalidate my warranty on the device. I have searched on Google and on Asus’ website and read the Warranty card that comes with the device. I couldn’t see anything that would indicate my warranty would be void if I change the software. I have mailed Asus to try and confirm it will be OK. [Update: I’ve just had a message back from Asus saying my Warranty will fine. They don’t “support” other operating systems but I can understand that completely] Frankly, it would be a pretty USELESS warranty for a computer if it became void by installing new software. But I am not a lawyer so don’t take my word for this and YMMV.
Within a minute or so of ending my phone call with Amazon a copy of an email to the Miserware account holder at Amazon dropped into my inbox.
Dear Melissa/ cc Alan
I have requested a refund to your payment card for this purchase in the amount of 40.00 GBP for this order, as Alan will not be using the Windows XP Software. Refunds usually go through within 2 to 3 business days and you will see this amount credited on your next statement…
Brilliant. I can’t really praise Amazon enough for that. It was easy, simple and no fuss.
I guess my only concern is that the cost of this refund might not get passed back to Asus. But at least the information is in the public domain on this blog. Also, I should think if Amazon had to do this more than occasionally they’d be asking some hard questions of Asus…
Now I need your help dear readers…
I am not yet sure what to put on this machine: Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Cruchbang (which I have heard some good things about but not tried) or something else… Suggestions are more than welcome 🙂 I have plenty of choice! And I plan to use it!
And finally.
Come on Asus, you have some really nice products crying out for a proper operating system and it’s a real shame you have allowed yourself to be stitched-up by Microsoft. If you would like me to put you in touch with the guy responsible for OEMs at Canonical (Ubuntu) Just let me know. 🙂 I’m sure he’d be delighted to talk to you.
Tags: Amazon, Asus, Canonical, Licenses, Microsoft, Miserware, Netbooks, Ubuntu, Windows
Excellent post and congratulations on keeping EULAs honest. I confess I didn’t delete XP from my Acer Aspire One (since I need Windows at work) but I did partition the 160GB hard drive and install Ubuntu Remix, which is what I use exclusively when not at work. I like the UI a lot, and of course I appreciate the Debian backend. Considering my needs it’s a win-win situation. I haven’t heard about Cruchbang. Thanks for the link. Another distro to check out.
Excellent post. I’m so happy to hear you can do that (get a refund on Windows XP from Amazon).
Crunchbang looks quite interesting and so does Linux Mint, but I always find myself going back to good ol’ stable, regular Ubuntu.
Use whatever you want, so long as it’s Linux! 🙂
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
Excellent. If I could of gotten away with not using the XP licence on my Dell XPS M1330 I would of asked Dell to do the same, unfortunately I use XP under virtualbox for clients so it wasn’t possible.
More people from the Linux community really need to do this when they buy a new machine to make the vendors aware that Linux is a prefered choice for a sizeable proportion of the technologically aware population. Its too easy to think this process will be a pain in the proverbial’s but you have obviously disproved this for at least one retailer. Good on you and good on Amazon!
Thanks Jamie,
I completely agree. The more people who actually do go ask for their legitimate refund the better. I wonder how many even
knowknew that you could ask for it?In the end I plumped for plain old Ubuntu Desktop (but the Karmic Alpha release for hardware support). I had UNR running in a VirtualBox VM and it’s nice, but I’ve got used to having multiple desktops and compiz…
Oh and you really should try Ubuntu Netbook Remix!
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
well done! go amazon!
unfortunately i believe amazon uk doesn’t send to Portugal those kind of items!!! 🙁
about what distro to use, well i’ve been testing #crunchbang and is very fast and light, you could consider it!
but i think you should also take a look on dreamlinux, it’s debian based also and very light and beautiful, xfce+awn+compiz
[…] uma entrada no site TheOpenSourcerer, a amazon uk devolveu o valor do ms-windows-xp de um Asus 1008HA netbook PC.Apenas um mail e a […]
Why not give http://www.eeebuntu.org a try. There are four flavours to play with.
Excellent post on not having to pay the M$ tax, if all open source advocates do this, they will get the message.
Nick
I favour Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04. In fact, favour it so much I put it on my 1024×768 laptops too! (Though one I’m currently running in KDE 😉
[…] Getting your Microsoft Tax Refunded: 10/10 for Amazon UK! [Updated] Yesterday I received a great prize from the people at Miserware for helping with the Beta trial of their power saving software for Linux computers; a new and very shiny Asus 1008HA netbook PC. […]
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
Bravo! Now, if more people would step up and do this (I’m planning on it if I end up having to buy with Vista or XP Home installed on my next netbook/laptop purchase…), there’d be a lot less inclination to doing this sort of tying as their deal with MS makes them EAT that expense- one they’re actually obligated to and can’t sidestep it by saying you’re licensing the machine or you’ll invalidate your warranty if you put something other than the installed OS (What? Linux would magically break a HD or the display? Riiight…)
I installed Ubuntu on my 1000HA and while the basic functions worked, it could not connect to my router unless I turned off the WPA encryption (that XP connected through in a flash), Firefox slowed the system to a crawl whenever anything on a page used flash, and worst of all hibernate didn’t work, meaning whenever I closed the lid I’d have to either leave the battery draining or do a full shutdown/bootup. I was thus forced to return to XP, which I’ve since had no problems with.
Shame on Asus? You can’t blame them when such a large number of netbooks with Linux on them get returned. Your comment about “a proper operating system” is extremely selfish, just because you want something else doesn’t mean they need to cater to you.
don’t believe in everything the microsoft PR says!
Linux Laptops Bestsellers in Germany
two Linux Laptops in the Amazon.de bestsellers top ten, both outselling Apple
http://www.linuxtech.net/news/Linux_Laptops_Bestsellers_in_Germany.html
Unfortunately, when you read the comments on Amazon.de then you will learn that most buyers seem to just wipe Linux and install some version of MS Windows 🙁
Windows and Linux return rate similar on Eee PC
http://eeepc.net/windows-and-linux-return-rate-similar-on-eee-pc/
@teeeeK no more FUD please.
people don’t feed the troll !!!
I suggest Linux Mint. it’s like standard ubuntu, but with all the codecs preinstalled, and a beautiful default desktop based on GNOME. it kicks stock ubuntu’s ass in every way.
Crunchbang would be an awesome second place.
What a result!!!
Amazon just gets better and better.
Nice one.
I recommend archlinux on the asus notebooks, its fast and you can put together exactly the system you want.
Did Amazon at any point ask for proof you were not using Windoze? If not, why doesn’t everyone do this?
OpenBSD is pretty good on netbooks, why not try that?
Nice work, to yourself and Amazon UK. We need to remember it’s all good and well for end users to not pay the MS tax, but I can’t see this going down (up) the chain where Amazon gets a refund from Asus, and Asus gets a refund from MS. You can bet MS still gets their tax.
Try Moon OS. It uses the Enlightenment Desktop, and I really like it.
Running Mint 7 on my Acer Aspire One now. LOVE IT.
Try out Arch Linux. 🙂 It’ll blow your mind.
Thanks for sharing this great story.
I was thinking about buing one but hated the fact of paying for something I wasnt going to use (XP) but now I know how to get my money back from it
Will def do
My distro of choice Is Linux Mint Check it out
Why moblin of course. Alternatively, you can try slitaz for a full featured distro in 25 mb. or Debris Linux (a lightweight Ubuntu based distro, based on 8.04 packages and latest kernel)
I recommend Debian!
A lot of choice, and configurable to meet your needs exactly. Although it was originally more of a server OS, it totally rocks on laptops too!
Not so easy in the Czech Republic. Lenovo actually went as far as requesting an NDA to be signed before agreeing to refund the cost of an unused Wiondows license. See AbcLinuxu.cz Reimbursed User for MS Windows License from Lenovo CR.
Another vote for Linux Mint 7
It pays to inquire about the refund of your Windows tax before you buy a computer with Windows preinstalled. Some sellers will reimburse the cost of the license, others will want you to send the PC to the OEM for removal of the software before reimbursing you, and finally some will refuse to sell the machine at all. Kudos to Amazon.co.uk for a good experience.
You got a refund on something you won? That’s a bit weird.
Hi Tim, the refund went back to Miserware. That was fine by me.
It was the point that was important, not the money. If I’d have received the refund I was going to donate it to a FOSS project anyway.
Congrats on getting that refund – a lesson to us all. And well done to Amazon – they are really growing in my estimation after the launch of their excellent MP3 music download service, which works really well with Linux distros. I use it on my Dell Latitude X1 laptop – a tiny pre-cursor to the netbook – which runs Crunchbang 9.04.01, and it’s a terrific combination.
I really urge you to try Crunchbang on your netbook – it’s my favourite distro of all time, there’s a review of the latest version on my blog if you’re interested.
I agree with Ben Parker, above. What’s to stop every purchaser asking Amazon for the refund but then continuing to use Windows anyway?
[…] Amazon refund Windows licence fee without a fuss – good to see them happily refund the “Microsoft tax” if you buy a machine which […]
That is a good thing you did. A few months ago I read about somebody who tried it also via Dell, but it took him months to get the rebates.
I am not sure, because I do not use a netbook, but on my laptop and desktop I run Fedora 11. And there is a tool that let me make images for USB-drives. Isn’t it worth a try?
Greetings
do you know if
1. you can also get a refund for m$ vista
2. the refund policy is also valid in germany
Hi Alan, just wanted to say nice work on getting this refund. I hope more people will do this. Why Microsoft should continue to get paid for software we only want to delete at the earliest opportunity is a mystery to me. I’m saddened that ASUS have become their stooge, but I can’t say I’m surprised. Enjoy the new machine, with a proper OS 🙂
Dan
linuxoutlaws.com
Finally, how much was refunded?
Congratulations!!
That reminds of Microsoft refund day, (Bay area, 15 Feb, 1999)..
I am dreaming of another, but global MS refund day.. maybe FOSS activists will be able to manage this.. Thousands of PC-s and laptops refunded, eh..
As for suggestion, just install Debian.
Someone wrote: “Debian, when you have better things to do than fixing your system”.
GL and HF
I deleted windows immediately from my Aspire One, but have only gotten stalling and delays from Staples and Acer in response to requests for a refund. They have no intention of giving one.
I recommend Ubuntu Netbook Remix very highly. Be sure you activate the backport repositories. Give it some time while you get used to the concept; it works well, though a few minor ergonomic changes would help it.
Imagine how much those microsoft scumbags make! 40GBP on 80% of all computers sold. Why don’t they bugger off?
[…] This is good. Alan Lord, a FOSS computer consultant based in the UK, has announced that Amazon UK honored his request for a refund of the Microsoft license fee portion of the cost of a new Asus netbook PC that came with Microsoft […]
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
[…] Alan Lord, who blogs under the name The Open Sourcerer (which should be a clue to his feelings on Windows), reports that he bought an Asus netbook from […]
RT : http://floss.pro/notice/17591
Amazing … we miss you at Floss.pro … come back!
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
[…] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2009/07/21/getting-your-microsoft-tax-refunded-1010-for-amazon-uk/ […]
Why did you choose to request the refund from amazon instead of asus, since the windows license says to get the refund from the manufacturer (asus) not the seller (amazon).
@sciencewhiz
I didn’t really.
I started out by simply asking Amazon what the procedure was. It was they who offered to refund the license cost there and then. As I mentioned at the end of this post, I would have prefered it if Asus had to pay because I somehow doubt whether Amazon will pass the cost on.
@sciencewhiz – under UK law, your contract is with the shop, not with the manufacturer or their suppliers (Microsoft). Therefore, the shop is the one you deal with in all such cases. This particularly applies in distance selling, i.e. Amazon. You can be very sure Amazon are entirely aware of this, and that fobbing the buyer off on the manufacturer in the first instance may well be illegal. Read up on http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
It is much better that the retail store pays, because they are the ones that are ultimately the channel to market. The more expensive it is for a retailer to stock Microsoft the better.
If the retailer is awkward, then the way to a refund is avoid the trap of following the instructions in the EULA. Instead you request that the retailer replace the software with a version that isn’t ‘faulty’ (ie doesn’t have the additional terms and conditions imposed). You didn’t agree to them when you purchased the item and therefore they don’t form part of the contract of sale with the retailer.
The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002 requires that the retailer replace the faulty item, or if that is impossible provide you with a refund. The Sale of Goods Act gives you the right to partially reject items. Essentially you assert your ‘statutory rights’.
The 2002 regulations are an EU directive so they even apply to Amazon (which is incorporated in the Grand Duchy of No Laws and technically your Amazon contract is under Luxembourg jurisdiction). Although it looks like Amazon are taking a more pragmatic line.
It is always better to conclude a Windows refund amicably if you can. However if you can’t then the UK law gives you the mechanism to force the issue – via the courts if necessary.