[selowitch]

What do you call it (other than the obvious profanities and snide remarks) when you have hardware or software of multiple malfunctioning parts that each manufacturer/developer in turn disavows as their problem, giving the consumer no where to turn?

For example, you have a CD burner and a software package for authoring CDs. You have a technical problem and call the maker of the burner. They say "it's an issue with your software. Not our problem. Your warranty doesn't apply. You call the software developer and they say, "it's an issue with your burner. Not our problem. Your warranty doesn't apply." This leaves you in no good state.

If there isn't a coinage, there should be: "Gates' Paradox", "Ellison's Dilemma", something like that, don't you think?

[ReggieX]

"Plausible Deniability"

[selowitch]

Except that it really isn't plausible.

[Ghoser777]

Two words mister president...

[turtle777]

Are you looking for some technical term describing blame shifting ?

-t

[residentEvil]

Undocumented Feature

[Eriamjh]

"Passing the buck"

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Are you looking for some technical term describing blame shifting ?

Yes, but only insofar as it applies specifically to hardware/software support.

[SVass]

You should ALWAYS buy hardware/software as a unit guaranteed to work on your existing operating system. Yes, people buy burners and scanners without software and save a few bucks; but, they shouldn't complain when it doesn't work. Burners should only be purchased if they come with a version of Toast as this provides reassurance of compatibility. (My scanner came with a twain for photoshop/graphic converter so I wouldn't have to use their software.) If you buy from MacConnection or other reasonable catalog shop, they normally will back up their product in addition to the manufacturer. sam

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by SVass

You should ALWAYS buy hardware/software as a unit guaranteed to work on your existing operating system.

Sure. But I'm not really talking about that. In fact, my original post was inspired by two items of hardware that are heavily co-marketed (i.e, the Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link and the Maxtor OneTouch II external hard drive).

[jasonsRX7]

Depends on the situation, but when applicable, I'll schedule a conference call between the vendors and let them go a few rounds until it gets resolved. I've had a coworker call one vendor while I called the other and then conferenced the calls together.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by jasonsRX7

Depends on the situation, but when applicable, I'll schedule a conference call between the vendors and let them go a few rounds until it gets resolved. I've had a coworker call one vendor while I called the other and then conferenced the calls together.

Interesting idea. I wonder if these tech support guys would play along...

-t

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by jasonsRX7

Depends on the situation, but when applicable, I'll schedule a conference call between the vendors and let them go a few rounds until it gets resolved. I've had a coworker call one vendor while I called the other and then conferenced the calls together.

That is an interesting idea. I'll try it next time. I finally got Maxtor to give me an RMA for replacement, but boy, was that like pulling teeth!

[jasonsRX7]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Interesting idea. I wonder if these tech support guys would play along...

If it's a situation involving recurring monthly charges, then most likely yes. Otherwise it might be difficult to schedule a call and you'll have to catch them off guard. I've only done that a couple of times, but was successful each time.

[rozwado1]

Royally F0cked.

[Cody Dawg]

Shirking responsibility.

Engineered incompatibility.

Planned obsolescence.

Buy AppleCare.

[JoshuaZ]

Being lazy.

Getting Screwed.

[Randman]

Bidnezz

[nonhuman]

Race condition

[dlefebvre]

it's a Midware problem