For those of you who don’t know Microsoft’s Windows Live OneCare product is software that includes virus protection, firewall and backup in an all-in-one solution.
After using Windows Live OneCare version 1, I signed up to be a beta tester of version 2. When the beta ran out it became time to renew the subscription.
Hitting the “Renew Subscription” button inside OneCare explains the subscription costs AU $99 per year and covers up to 3 PC’s. So I’m thinking, this is great, subscription made easy, a good experience.
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And it was until… I spot a boxed retail copy of the software, exactly the same product that I just paid $99 for actually costs $68.00! You can see the screen shot below.
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If Microsoft wants people to adopt a subscription model to purchase their software, then it needs to be at least equal to the shelf price, but should really be cheaper. The costs to distribute online is surely cheaper than costs attracted by having a retail store (power, lighting, staffing, rent).
A very disappointed Windows Live OneCare customer, not at all due to the product (I actually like it), but thanks to being screwed on price.
