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1. yikes
   Member Profile

   Hi: Due to my computer being 9 years old and two drives not working, I went to Staples to look into buying a computer. They didn't have the one I wanted in stock, but we ordered it. I was told (and their commercial on tv implies) that they would transfer everything from my old computer to the new one.

   When the computer arrived (and my credit card charged), I was told that they would only tranfer the data on my computer and not any of the software. I could pay $69 extra for that. And then they said that my Microsoft office student and home software couldn't be transferred and that I would have to buy (from them)the full up Microsoft Office software.

   I complained to the store and when they were totally non responsive, I called national customer service who apologized and apologized and admitted it was misleading, but offered no remedy.

   These people are just trying to suck you in for additional money, and I cancelled my order.

   Do not use them, they are schlocks!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   Actually...
   They can't transfer your office unless you have the original disks and the cd-key. Violates MS licenses.

   If you still have the original drive and the cd and key I could reinstall it for you. But to actually transfer the install, you would have to clone the whole drive and then reinstall the OS to work on the new hardware, which will usually bugger any installed programs since it replaces the registry. I suspect I could edit the registry by hand and get it to work, but I won't even spend that 20+ hours of tedium on my own systems.

   In theory it is possible, but Windows upgrades are not like Mac upgrades in that you cannot take
   non os installs with you when you change hardware. Even Macs cannot cross the power pc to intel barrier with third party software.

   Linux can boot on a variety of hardware platforms with it's current kernel, but a compiled kernel and most compiled software has to be recompiled to match the hardware.

   but most important of all...

   WTF are you doing believing anything Staples and its PR firms are saying in a radio ad?

   When I heard the term "Highly trained staff" in the ad I blew coffee through my nose and had to stop and buy windex wipes to clean the dash and windshield.

   Several years ago I sent them a resume and got an interview. After about 5 min of talking to the supervisor, I asked for my resume back and requested that they burn any copies they might have made.

   Office 2k pro is the last version of MS office that does not call home like ET. It has 90% of the useful functions of MS office without all the bloated crap and idiot wizards. It also does not have the decade of security updates to office software either. I keep running copies of 2k, 2003, 2007 and 2010 just so I can transfer pst files and outlook express DB files to current versions.

   Do not look to staples for "expert" advice. But don't blame them for not violating MS license language in the home town of M$ either.

   Link to version 2010 with disk media.
   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00337D8U6

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   If you really need your old computer fixed and the installed office set up to run on the current hardware (minus anything that is not working)on a larger drive, I can do that by cloning the drive onto a replacement larger drive. I also have lots of cd/dvd drives pulled from donated and crashed systems if those need replacing.
   9 years is pretty dang old, but if you can't afford the cost in hardware and software to move into the current era, I can fix what you've got.

   Even the cheapest 2001 system was $2000.00 with basic office software added in and 2001-2002 was the transition year from pIII to P4 and most desktops were still pIII if they were affordable.

   Bite the bullet and buy a cheap laptop for 400.00 and buy office academic for 114.00.
   You still end up with hardware that is hundreds of times faster than that p3.

   Generating fractals used to take all night on a p3.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. yikes
   Member Profile

   Ken:

   I understand that they can't illegally transfer software... but what about my virus software (yes I have the disc) and other softward that I have the disc for? The only solution they provided for the Office was the full up version bought from them. I just felt that there was more than lack of knowledge going on there and more of a bait and switch. And misleading advertising... which they admitted.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. clark5080
   Member Profile

   

   So are you a student or a teacher? If not you are using it illegally and don't know why you would expect them to transfer the programs

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. johnnyblegs
   Member Profile

   

   If I was in the market for a new computer, I'd never even think of going to Staples because, well...it just wouldn't come to mind. I go there to buy printer cartridges though.

   I've bought my last few at Best Buy and have been very happy. The Southcenter location had pretty knowledgeable employees who were more than happy to answer questions. Pretty good prices too.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. dhg
   Member Profile

   

   Transferring data is not trivial. Transferring programs correctly is very difficult. PC Mover (made by LapLink) will do it but it is licensed at about $60 per transfer.

   Staples ads are very carefully worded. They talk about transferring data, they never promise to transfer programs. Transferring programs is very tricky when the OS's are so different. And since it often violates a license, most vendors of transfer software steer clear of Microsoft. PC Mover, for instance, will transfer Office to the new PC but when you try to use office, it will ask for the license key.

   As for Best Buy, go to consumerist.com and look at their testimonials. Best Buy's latest scam is to "optimize" the pc for an extra $100. You want a sealed pc cheap but they are out, only the "optimized" pc's are available.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. yikes
   Member Profile

   Clark: Of course the software wasn't gotten illegally... it was a download for Home and students from the website. And that was totally not the point... I made the comment because their solution was for me to buy the full up software from them. No other options.
   The point was that they would not transfer ANY software until I paid an additional $69, when they say and advertise that they will transfer all from old computer to the new computer (watch their commercial!).

   That offer caused me to buy the computer with them, since I didn't know how to do the transfer myself. They got me in, sold me the computer and THEN told me that they would only transfer data, not the software unless I paid $69. Of course I don't expect them to transfer illegally, I just expect them to deal with a modicum of honesty with their customers.

   Thank you, Johnny, for the recommendation, I'll check Best Buy out!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. skeeter
   Member Profile

   I bought an advertised laptop at Staples a few months ago. The price was excellent and I have yet to see the price go that low again. It was not a pleasant experience, though. They try and try and try to sell you extended warranty, premium setup, data transfer, etc etc. I must have said "no" at least 30 times. At this point, the salesperson implied they would not sell the unit unless we purchased additional services. I told him I simply wanted the laptop at the advertised price $349 and nothing else. He talked to his manager and I'm sure he got chewed out. He then returned and said that if I did not purchase additional services from him, then the laptop would have NO WARRANTY. I asked if the unit would have the 14 day warranty that Staples gives every new PC. He said NO. It was really crazy.
   The laptop worked out great for us. No problems. But it left me with the feeling that Staples absolutely makes all its profit on extra services and gets very angry if you don't buy anything other than the PC.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. JoB
    Member Profile

    skeeter...

    i think you could have contested the warranty exclusion ...
    unless the adv stated that there was no warranty i don't think it was legal to exclude the standard store warranty on a new unit

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. yikes
    Member Profile

    Skeeter:

    That's exactly the sense I got of them! And the computer was a good price... maybe I should have just bought it, but the whole thing was just too smarmy. I think JOB is right that you could nail them for their threats. It just angers me that these jerks get away with these tactics.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. skeeter
    Member Profile

    JoB, I think you are right. And to be clear - they did not revoke the warranty. I used the wrong term. What they revoked (or at least told me they revoked) is the return policy. Staples has a 14 day return policy on PCs. This covers defects or even a change of mind. This sales person was so mad/desperate he started throwing out all sorts of threats. One threat was that I would not be able to return the laptop for any reason even if it was defective out of the box.

    Now -- if I pushed it, I have little doubt I could return the laptop within the return period. A salesman has to go by written policy. If policy is 14 days then it is 14 days. It just left a bitter taste in my mouth that this business thought the best way to sell services was by making threats.

    Honestly, I cannot imagine who purchases all these additional services with a new PC. Premium setup? What the heck? Any machine pre-loaded with Windows 7 can be set up by an eight year old. It's not like your Compaq or HP will not work correctly if you don't pay Staples an additional fee.

    I could go on and on. I was in the "hot seat" for about 40 minutes while two different employees went on and on about how if I don't purchase this and that extra service that my new laptop would be an absolute wreck.

    One thing I do recommend is paying for your new PC with a premium credit card that doubles the warranty. That won't cost you a dime!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. Ken
    Member Profile

    

    This is not 1993, and you don't need all the crap and dubious "services" the stores like staples, frys, bestbuy and office defunct try to sell with it.
    If you want a laptop, order it from the mfg. or newegg. If it cost more than 800.00, get an extra year of warranty (from the mfg!). MFG sites also have customization available to tailor your laptop to your needs.

    If whatever is on the shelf at costco this week will do the job, it will have an extra year of warranty included.

    If you want to patronize a local shop that will remember you when you bring it in to fix a mangled AIO printer driver install, then do that. But don't expect them to be able to match the price of the discount chains.

    Often those chains (especially best buy, walmart and office depot) get specially built versions of systems with invisible corners cut and parts that failed the QA testing for retail or OEM channel. (memory and CPUs that don't test as the desired speed without errors get labeled at slower speeds and used in these "value" lines.)

    Local shops should be able to match the OEM web site but will have to charge you sales tax. Some OEMs will too since several have a WA presence.
    I don't mind paying sales tax since I am not blind to what it pays for.

    The big OEMs like Dell, HP and Lenovo have aftermarket parts and web sites for troubleshooting info and service manuals and fixes and updates to their software and hardware (firmware). They have a large and thriving corporate sales footprint because of this. OEMs like Sony, Panasonic and Apple tightly control parts and information and once the warranty runs out will even exclude you from some parts of their web support system.

    Toshiba falls somewhere between the two extremes.

    Toshiba and HP have local warranty service centers with reasonable turnaround.

    Also. If you buy a license number for office and download the install software, make sure you back it up first or burn a cd/dvd with the install files on it. Don't even think about clicking "run" instead of "save to disk" when you download it. You will then be buying a one time install unless you printed and saved your receipt, order number and the card number you used to buy it.

    I always order the full scale media and make a copy of it to install and leave the original in the box with the receipt taped inside the box. Nowadays I also make an ISO file copy and store it on the raid backup server.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. dhg
    Member Profile

    

    The staples ads say they will transfer the data, they don't say they will transfer the programs nor do they say they will transfer "everything". They transfer ALL the DATA. They are not so stupid as to overpromise but I'm sure they also know that some people will think that includes programs as I have to explain, seemingly all the time, that programs don't transfer well.

    And if anyone thinks they are going to have a better experience at Best Buy, they've got another think coming. The clerks push the extras hard because that's where the profits are and they are graded on the upsells. Clerks have been known to say the PC is out of stock and send you to another store rather than sell you just the pc.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. Ken
    Member Profile

    

    Another note. If you have the original Office home and student on a working hard drive, there are some programs that can retrieve the cd-key or license number from some versions. If you have the email with the original license number in it, even better.

    I have the install media for several versions and if your key matches one of them I can burn you an install cd. MS has some esoteric language in its EULA's and MS evangelist and executives insist that it means the license cannot be moved to a new computer, but these claims have been roundly ignored by nearly everyone. No one has gone to court to test it that I know of.

    If you have an order number from digital river corp (who fulfills downloadable installs for MS and several other companies) you may be able to talk them into allowing you to download it again.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. AdmiralJaneway
    Member Profile

    When I bought my printer from Staples, they also tried to hard sell extras. They went back and forth trying to sell me the extended warranty and a printer cable, even though the printer had wireless capability. When I told him I was leaving, he rung up the sale.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. yikes
    Member Profile

    dhg:

    I notice that you've recommended Staples items before and wonder if you work for them? You comment that maybe they were up and up and I just didn't understand is a possibility. I admit that I'm not very tech savvy, and may not understand all of terminology of you and others on here. But I do know when I am being jerked around and that is what Staples did. There should be a business out there that deals with those who are not tech experts honestly. Dave has helped me out before and despite his extensive knowledge and terminology and know how, I knew he was dealing with me honestly. Just as I knew when Staples was on the make.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. dhg
    Member Profile

    

    I don't work for Staples. I am self-employed. I don't recall recommending Staples but they are nearby and I will buy things there when there is not enough time to order from a distributor. I certainly would not recommend their tech service nor would I recommend Geek Squad. Both are built on the premise that you can hire burger flippers, pay them next to nothing, and charge the consumer as if they'd paid for expert staff. Go to consumerist.com and search on Best Buy. You will be amazed at their practice. If you don't like Staples you will really hate Best Buy.

    The Staples ads are very clear to the tech savvy, the young couple are looking at the guy suspiciously and asking if the tax documents were transferred, then even the wedding photos??? Those are all documents and easy to transfer. They don't tell you that programs are not transferred but that would be a little complicated to do in a 30 second spot. They certainly won't tell you that your emails might be there but not be accessible because your emails are formatted for Outlook Express and OE was dropped when Vista came out. There are many pitfalls in upgrading. That's just part of the modern world. Staples did not invent the problem, they just chose the easy path and advertise it as though it were the only part that mattered.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. yikes
    Member Profile

    Thanks, dhg, I've learned alot and will remember the good advice.

    I'm wondering if you have a recommendation for how I proceed now... probably the easiest thing is for me to go to Dave and have him do his best to bring my current computer into the current age. But my daughter is a big fan of IMVU and wants me to upgrade.

    I think buying a new computer is a more cost effective alternative, but it seems a morass to continue with the software I have (Titanium security, Microsoft office, windows 7, Turbo Tax)

    Thanks

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. dhg
    Member Profile

    

    If your old pc has Windows 7 then moving it all over to the new pc will be easy. The thing we were talking about before was taking an old machine with old software and trying to move it. That is mostly unsuccessful as Windows has changed so much. But moving a Win7 system from old to new? Straightforward. PC Mover can do that for you. You will have to re-enter the license for MS Office and you might have to reinstall Trend Micro Titanium but otherwise it'll work great. You want a new pc if for no other reason than a new hard drive is likely to be more reliable than the older hard drive.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

21. sillygrrl
    Member Profile

    That is interesting that they did that. When i went there to purchase my computer, I asked about transfering the data and they told me the price, then I said I would do it myself. They sold me a $50 thing to back my old computer and then re-load on the new computer, I had my office disks so loading onto the new computer was not a problem. The guy even told me how to make a copy of the system when you first open it up as it is all done automatically with no Disks and he said I should have a copy in case my "puter" crashes. i guess it all depends on who is behind the counter.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

22. TammiWS
    Member Profile

    

    I think these chains prey on those of us who are not tech saavy and dont know the questions to ask (and I kinda know my way around a computer!).

    I just upgraded my modem because it quit working (after I called about the speed of it??) with Qwest (yes, because I have a long term bundled deal with DirectTV I cant bail out on)and was told by Best Buy its 1.2.3 to install, just follow the directions. Not. I had to call Qwest twice to get help and it took 2.5 hours on the phone.

    The second person was great. First person said "you need to call the mfg of the laptop to help you". Problem is I dont have a warranty any longer so after talking to them they informed me it was $169 to get help installing a modem! No thanks.

    Finally figured it out but its never as easy as they make it sound.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

23. Ken
    Member Profile

    

    I am familiar with DSL and cable systems. Anyone who thinks they are getting the runaround from either can call me and I can usually tell you how to fix it. I have also represented the non tech savvy in disputes with telco and cable companies hundreds of times.

    All this experience is wasted sitting here in my head :)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

24. yikes
    Member Profile

    Hi everyone!

    I'm the disatisfied Staples person who just bought a new computer from Costco. I just got off of the phone wtih their 'free technical support' people who said I should get a Belkin Easy Transfer Cable... which would transfer my software (yes, I double checked that he said data and software) from my old computer to the new.
    I don't have an external hard drive and I was asking them if I could transfer my data to my routed laptop and then move it over. They said no.

    I feel like I'm in that weird weird world again!

    Thanks for your help!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

25. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    Yikes:

    The Amazon entry may give you a bit more explanation.

    http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Easy-Transfer-Cable-Windows/dp/B002PAR0AQ

    From a cursory glance, the cable only provides the connectivity between the two computers. The actual migration is provided by Microsoft's Windows Easy Transfer Utility which also appears to be built into Windows 7. Look in All Programs > Accessories > System Tools on the Windows 7 machine.

    It doesn't appear that the utility will actually transfer your programs (such as Microsoft Office, iTunes, Adobe Reader, etc), but rather it will migrate your windows settings and files. It looks like it will provide you a list of programs that you may want to install (or more accurately, re-install) on the new machine (this will require the original discs or install files). Here's a write up at ZDnet about the utility.

    The transfer is not destructive to the data on the old machine. However, this doesn't get you around the problem of getting your programs moved over to the new machine.

    I would recommend you download and run this tool on your old machine: Belarc Advisor. It's legit software, originally designed to help IT folks manage fleets of organizational computers. Basically, it takes a complete inventory of all the software on the computer, including Windows updates and security patches. What's really great is that it can extract the Activition/License codes from most major programs, out of the Windows registry. This is handy if the software came pre-intstalled on the machine and you don't have the original discs.

    Although, have you looked at the bottom of the old computer? There should at the very least be a tag with your Windows license code on it. Typically if Office was pre-installed, that should be there as well. Copy those down if they are there.

    If you have those, all you need is to find someone with the discs of the appropriate version of Office (or whatever) and get them to burn you a copy. I suspect between, Ken, myself, and some of the other techies here, we can cover you. The discs are merely a physical medium. You bought and paid for the software, and those codes are your key. They're what makes you legal. The activation servers at Microsoft don't care if you what disc you used to install the software, only the the software key is valid and not tagged as pirated.

    I'd be happy to talk with you about these issues if you have questions. Just shoot me an email (through my username link) and I can give you my phone number.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

26. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    Yikes - you don't need the Belkin cable to run the utility. If you put the two computers on the same network so that they can talk to each other, you can do it that way. That should be as simple as plugging then into the same router (or logging into the same WiFi network).

    I can lend you a crossover ethernet cable too, which would let you connect the two machines directly without the network router. If you go anywhere near RE-PC (6th and Massachusetts - Google Map), you can probably pick up a crossover cable there for a couple of bucks. Handy little thing to have sometimes.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

27. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    Yikes: I replied to your email on Friday. Just wanted to poke this thread in case my message ended up in your Spam filters.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

28. velo_nut
    Member Profile

    

    Could have saved yourself a sh!t ton of trouble and just gone to an Apple Store.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

29. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    @velo_nut: I would have to guess that you have not helped migrate any long time Windows users to Mac. I've helped two in the past year and both definitely qualified as a "sh!t ton of trouble".

    For all the evangelizing Apple engages in, they ought to train their "genuises" at the Genius Bar a little better in the complexities involved in moving from Windows to Mac. The ones that I talked to were of almost no help at all.

    And if you're at all dependent on Outlook in Windows, you can just forget about Outlook for Mac 2011. It's largely garbage (but that's not Apple's responsibility).

    Posted 1 year ago #         

30. cjboffoli
    Member Profile

    

    chrisma: Apparently half of the people walking out of Apple stores with new Macs these days are people who are switching from Windows. So SOMETHING is causing people to migrate from Windoze in droves. And somehow I doubt it is the fanboyism myth that some PC evangelists love to endlessly regurgitate.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

31. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    @cjb: I don't doubt it, and the massive popularity of the i-devices has certainly not hurt Apple's marketing efforts.

    I would not call myself a PC evangelist, nor was it my intention to turn this thread into a PC vs. Mac argument. There's no shortage of other places on the web where that war continues to be waged.

    My point was only that making the transition from Windows to Mac is not always the painless and magical experience that it is marketed to be. And I was surprised to find that Apple's help with migration issues, at least in my experience, was pretty lacking.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

32. velo_nut
    Member Profile

    

    Windows Office Suite (for mac)itself is far superior than its MS counterpart. for other items all you need is Bootcamp and you can pretty much fly through any MS software. I can run everything on my MB pro. All it takes is the willingness to sit down and learn. All apple computers come with session sit downs with a Mac Genius in house (that are convenient for YOUR time needs)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

33. cjboffoli
    Member Profile

    

    chrisma: What was the trickiest part for you? I've recently helped a couple of first-time Mac-owning friends migrate their data from their old Dells and it didn't seem that difficult. As Windows 7 has become more Mac-like in its handling of where a user's photos, music, movies, etc. are stored it has only made the migration process more intuitive. Were you dealing with some kind of Windows-only files?

    velo: If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend Apple's iWork suite. I prefer it over MS Office for Mac.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

34. velo_nut
    Member Profile

    

    Funny you mention that... We are moving to iWork this weekend!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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