Multiplicity Pro - Boxed copy purchase

Empty boxes for sale on shelf

Published on January 14, 2007 By GAIAStevef In Multiplicity

So I was down at my local CompUSA today, and happened to notice that they had boxed copies of Multiplicity Pro for sale. As I have been meaning to purchase it anyway but hadn't gotten around to it yet, I grabbed a box, paid for it, and left.

Later this evening when I got home, I opened it up to install it, and found that it's just an empty box with a blank cardboard insert in it. I called the store back, and they checked the other boxes on the shelf, (4 of them), and they were the same. When I complained and asked for a refund (I still have my sales receipt) I was informed that I would need to take it up with Stardock, or the distributer, Take 2 Interactive...

So I'm left with having paid 49.95 for an empty box with some snazzy graphics on it, and no software or serial number for registration.

Comments

Jafo

on Jan 14, 2007

When I complained and asked for a refund (I still have my sales receipt) I was informed that I would need to take it up with Stardock, or the distributer, Take 2 Interactive

Irrespective of what may be the cause of the issue with an empty box, etc....your purchase at 'CompUSA' must be honoured by 'CompUSA'. If for any reason the goods fail to live up to expectations [in this case a cd and/or serial, etc] it is the vendor's responsibility to provide a refund.

They [CompUSA] would be open to censure from the likes of the BBB [I believe it's called in the US ....ACCC in Australia], for failing to honour their obligations under consumer law.

As to this particular issue I'm sure Stardock will resolve it ASAP...

Frogboy

on Jan 14, 2007

Indeed. Contact sales@stardock.com and they'll make good.

Thanks for letting us know about this. We'll be contacting CompUSA about this. Sorry for the inconvenience.

GreenReaper

on Jan 14, 2007

I'm not official Stardock support, but I'm rather shocked at that response from CompUSA, especially if the other four boxes had nothing in them as well.

As noted, since CompUSA is the point of sale (they took your money in exchange for the goods, which weren't there) then they are the right people to talk to, as you did. If they did not refund you then the next place I'd suggest going is their contact form. They may contact you via telephone, so make sure you give them a working number.

[edit] Ah, and there's Brad. See his advice first.

GAIAStevef

on Jan 15, 2007

Thanks for your suggestions / help.

I've never had any doubts that Stardock would / does stand behind their product and support, my issue is with CompUSA, and to bring it up as a notice that if there's these few instances here, then there's most likely others.

I would suspect either a problem with the packaging line of whoever puts the production boxe sets together, or that it's a "return & restock" at CompUSA, and that an empty box was returned to the shelf... either way it's a retailer issue, and should be for them to support.

I'll be going down to the store tomorrow morning, with my empty box and receipt, and push them to make good on it one way or the other.

Failing that, I will follow up with Stardock sales option.

Again, thanks to everyone!

GAIAStevef

on Jan 15, 2007

Update on the issue:

Went back to the store today, and the boxed copies they had were empty, so I went to a different store of the same chain a little farther down the road and of the three copies they had on the shelf, one was an empty box. I was able to exchange my bad copy for one of their good one.

On a side note, they also had three boxes for WindowBlinds, which felt like empty boxes as well (no sound when shaking the box)... I brought these to their attention also.

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