[sdctcher]

I am wondering if anyone else is having a problem with MS. In 2003 I followed directions and took part in a $1.1 Billion class action lawsuit against MS by filing the official claim form. The case then became limited to CA and a few days ago I received a voucher from the claims administrator to get my part of the settlement. A number of these vouchers are being sold on eBay.

Originally, you could claim you purchased a small number of MS products between 1995 and 2001 and I did many times over. But if you claimed more than 5 or more than $100 you would have to give them receipts from years ago. So I only claimed 5 for $95.

OK, now 3 years later I get this voucher for $111 saying I need to send receipts to get my money. I remember the 5/$100 thingee (since I saved copies of correspondance) and go to the final settlement page and I still add up to $95 instead of $111.

So, I call Steve at the Claims 800 number in Minneapolis and he has to talk to his supervisor. He says just accept the $111 with the extra $16 as a gift. I say but then I would have to find 11 year old receipts. He then read me various parts of the settlement having nothing to do with what I am saying. I start to read the sentence on the settlement talking about the $100 limit (which is not reprinted on the voucher) and he suddenly says he has a fire alarm and must walk 20 floors to evacuate the building and if no one calls me back try again later and start over.

I will follow up but my reason for posting is that I am guessing I am not the only one who will be getting a wrongfully added up amount that shows up over $100 and the person will give up because they cannot find old old receipts, or they did not photocopy the 3 year old claims form, or they do not remember that they need no receipts for under $100. Then what happens is they never hear from MS again, MS saves $100, and they pay full price when they buy Vista next year.

Somehow this does not seem right and I am paranoid enough that I wonder how persuasive these 'mistakes' might be.

Thanks for listening and spread the word.

[Peder Rice]

I hope not to sound paranoid, but I've always felt that most things in life are intentional. When I'm sitting around playing poker with my friends, we often joke and scheme, creating rather wild tales about how things could be if seen under a different view point. Almost always, ulterior motives can be found to someone's actions.

With that in mind, I would definitely say that this Microsoft blunder might be anything but. However, obviously you should follow-up and confirm any suspicions before throwing such accusations around.

[itai195]

Do you really care enough to pursue it? If they screwed up, it's their problem to correct IMO. By the way, my voucher was for $144, but I have no clue how much I claimed way back when I sent in my claim form.