[Dclug] Can we get our money back if we say no to the license agreement

[Serge Wroclawski]

On Wed, Nov 28, 2007 at 02:22:55PM -0500, Arun Mallikarjunan wrote:
> Hi,
>    My friend's ordering a Dell 531. It comes with Vista but I dont want him
> running Vista and XP is not an option on the website. I did read a while ago
> that if we dont agree to the license terms we are entitled to money back for
> Vista. On my recommendation he called up customer service where a rep told
> him that money back was not possible, and if he wants XP he should order
> another model. I dont think this rep knows whats he talking about, moreover
> he also told my friend that XP is going out of support this year!!
> 
> Does anyone know what we are entitled to if we dont agree to the EULA terms?
> If so what do we need to do to get money back.

There are a number of factors here.

The first is purely legal. You said that /you/ don't want him running Vista.

That implies that he's running Vista already. If so, he has agreed to the EULA
and thus can't return it.

Then there's the practical issue...

You can try to get your money back. I've done it. But you have to do it very
carefully, it will take several hours, and then you have no OS at all.

And since you want to run Windows XP (a proprietary OS), you will need to purchase
a copy of Windows XP. This will be at retail prices, which I will tell you now, will
far exceed the money you'll get back.

Oh, and lastly, you'll be on your own in regards to support.

- Serge