Caveat Emptor

lajeffk wrote on 9/28/2007, 10:00 AM
I'm posting this here in case anyone is thinking of buying or upgrading Sony Media Software products via this website.

Advice: don't.

Two days ago (Wednesday, September 26) I upgraded from VMS Platinum 8 to Vegas Pro8 via Sony's website. Credit card charge and download went smoothly. But I received no e-mail containing my serial number(s). When I called Sony Media Software's 800 #, I was cheerfully informed that SMS was closed for a "companywide holiday," and that I should check the user forums for "useful information."

[OK, I'll bite: anybody out there in forum-land have a serial number for me? Haha, just some of that famous Sony humor!]

Here it is, Friday, September 28. Sony Media Software's contact phone numbers--EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE--still play a "we're closed for a companywide holiday" message and direct callers to these forums.

Funny--there didn't seem to be a "holiday" when it came to charging my credit card two days ago for a product that is unuseable without a serial number. More Sony "humor," I guess.

In the 29 years I've been using credit cards, I have never had occasion to dispute a charge because the merchant did not deliver the goods or services promised.

Until today.

Here's the saddest part: I *like* the Vegas product. It's been fun to learn and use, has made my work better, and has never malfunctioned.

The malfunction, it seems, is limited to the ethics-free folks at Sony Media Software.

Comments

lajeffk wrote on 9/28/2007, 10:15 AM
[Apologies: I erred in my previous posting: it's Sony *Creative* Software, not Sony *Media* Software. Step away from your keyboards, y'all with the copy-editor-DNA.]
Chienworks wrote on 9/28/2007, 10:59 AM
As we were discussing in another thread about this problem ...

I would be really nice if the 'order complete' page showed your serial number(s) right there when you finish the order. That way you wouldn't have to wait for an email that might not ever arrive. As far as i can remember, Sony Creative Software is the only company i buy downloaded software from that doesn't do this.
menopausal wrote on 9/28/2007, 11:59 AM
You may have tried this, but have you gone into my account, my software to see if it's there?
Chienworks wrote on 9/28/2007, 1:41 PM
Generally, serial numbers won't show up under My Software until after you've registered them, which is a bit hard to do if you haven't received the serial number yet.
Ivan Lietaert wrote on 9/28/2007, 2:02 PM
Have you looked into your spam bin of your email account? Sometimes, like with gmail, certain emails will automatically be diverted into your spam bin. Or check your spamfilter software.