Awesome Prices - A Little Shady Though
Software Surplus
I recently ran across Software Surplus — guaranteed low prices everyday. I was looking for Adobe Photoshop Elements, and Software Surplus did, in fact, have the best price ($39.95). And, I'm pretty good darn good at sorting out the prices online and getting the deals. This price was even better than the price of software with my educational discount for teaching which is usually substantial.
Most any software product you might be thinking about buying is available at Software Surplus. Now, you may have something in mind not sold, but the selection is quite broad and by brand or category with a decent search. It's not a flawless search system. When I put in Adobe Elements but left out the Photoshop part, it did not bring up a hit. Make sure you have the full names on the software you want.
In looking at Photoshop Elements (so I can make better pictures with my computer), they have 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0. While I'd usually go with the most recent version, 3.0 caught my eye, because it included a little mini digital camera. I thought, "Boy, my son would just love that little camera."
Also included:
Mini 3-In-1 Camera not only takes pictures but also has built-in PC camera functions. This camera is equipped with a 16 MB built-in ROM. If you want the digital photos in the camera to be downloaded onto your computer, you are only required to connect the USB cable to your computer and camera. It is also possible to use the built in PC camera function to hold a video conference via the Internet, enabling you to have a face to face online conversation with others.
Included also is: Subject to availability.
I mentally went back and forth about version 3.0 and 4.0, but I went with 3.0 since it included the gift camera. This was several weeks ago — way before Christmas. I thought the camera would be a super stocking stuffer.
My software came in. It was packed in a brown envelope with popcorn packing. The CD was in a paper sleeve with the sign up number on the back. So far, this is good. I installed it. No problems. It works like a charm. I have no complaints at all with the software or with how fast it came in or anything else.
Now, here is the problem. The camera was not in the package. I thought maybe they mailed that separately. I waited a week or two. Then, I emailed. Well, they didn't even bother to email back. That is not good customer service. If they didn't have any, they should have said and they should have pulled that offer on the page.
Well, here it is 2006 now, and they still have that mini camera listed. Maybe they send it to some folks. They sure didn't send it to me. And, my kid was mightily disappointed.
I doubt I will use Software Surplus again. Though they had great prices and did everything right as far as my software, they didn't deliver on the mini camera which was and still is listed as an incentive to buy the older version of Photoshop Elements. If they'd responded when I emailed about that, then I might be more likely to consider them.
As it stands, I have to wonder if Software Surplus ever had any of those mini cameras or if they just wanted to unload the older version of Elements. Since I didn't get a camera and since they still list that (but with that little disclaimer) and since they didn't answer my email, I have to think they are a little on the shady side. I'd rather spend a little more and get my software from a more stand up company. That's a shame too, since the prices and software were good. If they just dropped the camera offer (if they don't have any), then I'd be much more likely to recommend them.
