February 28, 2008...9:36 am
The last two Gateways I purchased came with Lexmark printers. Both printers are still in their original unopened boxes. Years after I purchased the computers. Mine are attached - by wire - to HP printers. Much better products than any Lexmark I’ve ever used and the HP’s have never broken down even with heavy useage.
In the past week, I’ve had a similar (as in frustrating to the point of hurling things out of the window) experience with Norton Internet Security AVP as OC has had with the Lexmark. February is when I get to renew that yearly Norton subscription. I renewed.
But Norton refused to recognize the renewal. Although it did post the cost to my card. A week was wasted on their website and on the phone with some guy named Ali who is based in India. Who spent a ton of time flipping thru some sort of manual looking for answers. At least the cost of those calls weren’t on my dime.
After a week of being unable to get Norton to work, I called my credit card company. Then Norton started calling. Frequently. Uninstall. Install. Uninstall. Install. Uninstall.
Great. More time wasted on a product that refused to work.
The subscription is now recognized but the autoprotect feature will not kick on. What’s the point when the screen has “Browsing not safe: Auto-Protect off” burned across the screen?
“It’s a problem with your OS.”
Why wasn’t it a problem before?
“You did something with your computer.”
Oh, yeah, right. I tried to renew my Norton subscription. And I followed your instructions to the letter.
“You did not follow renewal instructions in the manual.”
What manual? You mean that 10 page thing that comes with the product?
“Yes.”
Okay. Let me look at the part about renewing.
…
…
There’s nothing in here about renewing.
“Look in the index. It’s in the back.”
Yes, thanks for letting me know where the index is. Didn’t realize I was that much of a moron.
…
…
Sorry, Ali, but your index does not have an entry for “renewal.”
“Okay, the let me access your computer.”
Say what??
“I can access your computer if you sign into http://www.logmein.com”
…
Um, Ali? The Norton product is blocking my access to that website. And the Norton product is blocking my ability to use the tool you suggested I use in removing all remnants of Norton before reinstalling it.
“Can you look thru the code and delete the Norton?”
Ah, yeah, sure. I forget that I am a computer techie geek.
“Okay, well, you have to buy the 2008 product.”
Why? Renewing is only 39.99 and is good for 3 computers whereas the new product is 49,99 but only good for 1 computer. What you are asking me to do is add 49.99 times the number of computers I have plus the 39.99 I already spent.
“That’s the way it is.”
SLAM
Skip Norton. What a waste of time.
It’s the same thing with Lexmark. And Sylvania “energy saver 7 year guarnatee” bulbs. And put-together bookshelves. None work as advertised. But they all add up to a bundle of money. Ignore the spelling on the package, too.
Sorry for the rant. Carry on.
meblippingow.
2 Comments
February 28, 2008 at 3:22 pm
All that and you finally got them to admit to the bottom line? ka-CHING!!
Like I keep telling people - the only reason to print the news is to sell newspapers. If you can sell newspapers without news in them, so much the better … just like software with no ware.
Now, if only I could master that flintlock hunting musket. Where’s that damned .pdf manual …?
February 28, 2008 at 10:24 pm
ha, I saw that. I hate computers in general and all the peripherals, they are always out to get me.
Leave a Reply