A computer shop's sales pitch: 'We remove Vista'

[curme]

A computer shop's sales pitch: 'We remove Vista'

After reading today's story about Windows Vista's first year, reader Bruce Finlayson of Seattle sent along this photo that he snapped in October outside a computer store in Milford, N.H. ...

I made some calls to computer stores in Milford (pop. 15,000) and confirmed that the sign appeared in the window of A&D Computer, across the street from the town square. Shop manager Aaron Kaplan said they were prompted to put it up because so many people were having problems with Windows Vista, including compatibility issues with older software and trouble adjusting to the interface.

"A lot of people didn't like using Vista, and a lot of the manufacturers forced people to go up to Vista," he said.

What was the demand for the service? "We had a lot of people coming in and asking about it," Kaplan said. "Of all the signs we put up there the last two years, at least, we probably got the most response out of that one. A lot of people coming in."

Kaplan said they've since replaced it with a different message, but they're thinking about putting the Vista removal message back up

seattlepi.com

To remove a whole OS, even Vista, just to fix some problems sounds a little extreme.

[1Frothy]

Just shows that the people running the store are technical noobs and haven't really got a clue.

So, do they sell Windows XP? What happens with the Vista license. Dodgy

[x9248]

I guess I'm a noob too because I would do the same thing if I owned this shop. :rolleyes:

But yea they better include an XP license or else they are just pirates :p

[timmmay]

So, do they sell Windows XP? What happens with the Vista license. Dodgy

You should be able to activate XP with a Vista licence. It's just a pain in the rear to do so.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

If there is a demand, and they satisfy that demand - fair play. My issue is with said demand and how informed it is!

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

iv been requested to do the same to multiple computers.

people just didnt like the interface and wanted it off. Some new computers allow the user to downgrade back to XP. An HP system I did it to HP has a downgrade kit that puts XP on the system, and the Vista key is intact where they can re-do vista on it if they want.

but overall. i have done more downgrades to xp, then upgrades to vista

if people dont want Vista, ill explain and correct any misconceptions, but im not going to force them to use it. they bought the system, they can put XP on it if they want, its their system, not mine

Timmay: you can activate a Vista key on XP,, cant do it though the online activation, and you have to call MS, but its doable

[Rudy]

awesome lol

i remember when i was still working at a tech support job and vista just came out.....so many people were calling for us to give them xp back (too bad we were an isp and couldnt do anything for them lol)

[Brody McKee]

I ask the customer why they don't need Vista, and unless they have a good reason I proceed to politely explain to the customer that the person telling them not to get Vista is an idiot... and of course why.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

Did they put up a sign that read: "We uninstall XP and install 98" just because it didn't work with older programs and had a different interface?

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

I'd try and get Vista working for them first, and then install XP if and only if they really want. It's got to be an expensive business paying for two OSes..if that's what they have to do..

They've a right to have what they want on their PC, they just need someone else to do the installation for them!

[Rudy]

I'd try and get Vista working for them first, and then install XP if and only if they really want. It's got to be an expensive business paying for two OSes..if that's what they have to do..

They've a right to have what they want on their PC, they just need someone else to do the installation for them!

if someone comes in with their pc and ask you to install XP (which he will pay for it), why do MS's job and try to sell vista?

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

unless you payed for their comp, its not up to you.

and the person tellign them not to get vista is either a close friend of theirs, or them themselves. good job insulting a customer

I ask the customer why they don't need Vista, and unless they have a good reason I proceed to politely explain to the customer that the person telling them not to get Vista is an idiot... and of course why.

[NEVER85]

Lol dumbasses.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

They're obviously trying to leech money from unsuspecting customers. I bet they charge money for XP and the installation. I hope those poor customers don't think Vista is a "bad" operating system. :|

[PricklyPoo]

I ask the customer why they don't need Vista, and unless they have a good reason I proceed to politely explain to the customer that the person telling them not to get Vista is an idiot... and of course why.

So if a paying customer asks for you to put XP on their machine, you will tell them they are an idiot?

I'm sure business isn't going too well for you...

And the sign seems like a good way to make money, I see nothing wrong with it. Lots of beginner computer users don't like change so they will pay good bucks to get XP back on.

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

Well if they insist on XP and seem to know the difference then fair enough.

If they'd be happy just to have Vista working, then that's what I'd try first, because it's already set up and may have a lot of data and settings on there.

I'd try to do what's best for the customer; it would really depend on their specific problems, what they want and how much they actually know about XP/Vista.

[Rudy]

They're obviously trying to leech money from unsuspecting customers. I bet they charge money for XP and the installation. I hope those poor customers don't think Vista is a "bad" operating system. :|

these people are coming in knowing what they want and obviously they charge for both install and license.....or else it would be illegal

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

these people are coming in knowing what they want and obviously they charge for both install and license.....or else it would be illegal

Sometimes people think they know what they want but are mistaken (and learn better when it's too late).

If you want to keep your customers you'll give the best possible service you can.

[Rudy]

Sometimes people think they know what they want but are mistaken (and learn better when it's too late).

If you want to keep your customers you'll give the best possible service you can.

but they're coming in to get something they USED TO HAVE. So they know what they will get

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

its not leeching anything,, if anybody asks ill flat out say that the main problems that were with vista were Driver related and the fault of the hardware maker and they have almost all been fix'd. and SOME older software will not work because the people who make that software cant update it to work due to lazy coding ( putting saved data into /program files ), but there are hardly any issues with vista and they shouldn't have any problems.

they still dont want vista, they wil buy a copy of XP and il put it on whatever system they bring it regardless if they bought the system from us or not. its not my decision to MAKE them use vista,, its their computer, nobody elses

They're obviously trying to leech money from unsuspecting customers. I bet they charge money for XP and the installation. I hope those poor customers don't think Vista is a "bad" operating system. :|

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

@ rudy: That doesn't mean it's the best thing for them to have or go back to.

To make it clear, I don't use Vista myself, I prefer XP.

Like I said, if I were running the shop I'd do my best for the customer. XP may be better, or it might be best to stick with Vista. Depends on the issues they're having (like I just said).

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

they KNOW they want what they had for the past couple years.

out of all the people that have come in the store to either get vista/new system, ALL but one have come back to have XP put on it.. thats after they have been using it for 2 weeks/month.

they used it, dont want it,, point simple, their choice

in reponce to your last post, yous aid you dont use Vista, you like XP,, say you wanted to get another copy of XP for another computer of yours,,, they wouldnt sell you one, they would only sell you vista, and told you you didnt want XP ?

personally id go somewhere else,, its not their place to tell me what i want or dont want.

Sometimes people think they know what they want but are mistaken (and learn better when it's too late).

If you want to keep your customers you'll give the best possible service you can.

[crazzy88ss]

I ask the customer why they don't need Vista, and unless they have a good reason I proceed to politely explain to the customer that the person telling them not to get Vista is an idiot... and of course why.

I'll make sure to stay away from where ever you work if i visit Australia. It's their machine, they can do what ever the hell they want. Seriously.

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

they KNOW they want what they had for the past couple years.

out of all the people that have come in the store to either get vista/new system, ALL but one have come back to have XP put on it.. thats after they have been using it for 2 weeks/month.

they used it, dont want it,, point simple, their choice

in reponce to your last post, yous aid you dont use Vista, you like XP,, say you wanted to get another copy of XP for another computer of yours,,, they wouldnt sell you one, they would only sell you vista, and told you you didnt want XP ?

personally id go somewhere else,, its not their place to tell me what i want or dont want.

If it's a straight cut decision that they definately want XP then of course I wouldn't stop them. As I've made quite clear. Perhaps your English skills are a bit rusty.

I will repeat again that I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista or it might mean going back to XP.

Shall I say it again?

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

I would aim to do what's best for the customer. That might mean staying with Vista OR it might mean going back to XP.

Understand yet?

I think people should use whatever they want, but if they appear to need guidance or the only objections are issues I can fix (i.e. not the interface) then I'm not going to format their HD, charge them for another OS and install it, when it might not have been the best solution.

Get it?

It's not what I want/need or what all the other customers wanted/needed. It's what this particular person wants and needs that is important.

[goji]

Look, sign is in the window for potential customers who might already be predisposed to the idea of downgrading. Don't be mad that they are taking advantage of a demand and your not :p