When Microsoft announced its intention to offer a Windows 7 Family Pack consisting of three upgrades to Home Premium edition for $150 or less, they warned that it was a “limited time offer.” Now we know just how limited it was.
Today, barely six weeks after the public launch date on October 22, Paul Thurrott reports that stocks of the Family Pack have “disappeared” in the United States. Sure enough, when I checked at Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Walmart this morning I found that the Family Pack stocks are gone, and scalpers have moved in. Enterprising Amazon Associates are offering copies for $260 or more. Even Bing Shopping turns up only one seller with the product in stock, at $272, which is nearly double its list price.
For Microsoft, this decision is stupid and short-sighted. It’s guaranteed to bring them a boatload of ill will and bad publicity in the final three weeks before Christmas. It looks greedy and decidedly not “customer focused.”
When I asked a Microsoft spokesperson for comment, here’s what I was told:
The Windows 7 Family Pack was introduced as a limited time offer while supplies last in select geographies. Response has been very positive and in some cases, the offer has sold out. Customers interested in upgrading their PCs should purchase Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate upgrade products.
I haven’t heard much about the Grinch lately. Now I know why. He’s been hanging out in Redmond, working on marketing plans and drafting statements for the press.
Humbug.
Thanks Ed, you made my day as usual.
Will put our remaining copies on the shelf along with Vista, One Care,Digital Image,Encarta,and all other discontinued product.
Is it any wonder MS total sales are are a declining number?
So, how come MS didn’t just make this an available download, like they have with some of their other products? Simple, fast, product-code protected, and no scalpers! Or is that simply too “customer-service-oriented” for them? Oh well!
If your kids are in college and have edu email addresses they can pick up Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional 32 bit or 64 bit for 29 dollars for download only ($13 more to have a physical disk sent). Better hurry this is only until Jan 3rd. http://www.win741.com
Chalk me up as another techie with 4 PCs at home, 3 of which will not be updated to W7. I won one W7 Pro 64x license at my local PC repair shop on launch day so my Vista Machine will be upgraded, but the three XP machines will stay XP now. At $50 each, it was a definite upgrade, but not at $120. Too bad M$.
Microsoft’s decision to drop the family pack probably will cause some ill will; the company, however, isn’t unfamiliar with such a circumstance, and I think it will weather it well. Everyone knew the “sale price” wouldn’t last forever. I think it was meant to induce people to buy now, rather than later. In fact, if I recall correctly, Ed, you bought at least one family pack. As the old saying goes, those who linger will languish.
Bill, good to hear from you again.
I actually didn’t buy the Family Pack, opting instead for the half-price offer last July (two Home Premium, two Professional). I think the thing that makes this different is that it shouldn’t be thought of as a price cut but rather as a way to fill a distinct consumer need.
Fcuk Microsoft, this is pathetic. I was going to get thefamily pack, but it was always sold out. Now it’s sold out. It’s a dirty marketing ploy, and I just lost a lot of respect for these guys.