December 2023 by Steve J.
On December 12, I purchased the Printshop Professional 5.0 software package from Office Depot in Burleson, Texas, for $54.99. The serial number (serial key) required to activate the program was NOT included. Instead, there was a "redemption code" which had nothing to do with activating it. Over the following week, I spent countless hours on line, loading and reloading the digital version, as instructed by Brøderbund, the software manufacturer, but the serial key they sent me never worked either. I'm a tech guy so this wasn't user error. After 3 days of trying, I realized this is a scam. If there is a way to activate this product, nobody is least bit interested in telling the customer how. There are many other customers out there who have the same problem. As last resort, I returned to the Office Depot store and spoke with the manager. She told me there was nothing she could do because the package had been opened. You HAVE to open it to find the serial number is not included. I reminded her that their policy is to replace with same product, and she suddenly remembered I was correct. I told her I would need to open a new one and we'd likely find another redemption code - not a serial key - as the manufacturer itself said on line that serial codes were not shipped out with all products. What? She said if I opened the new one, I'd be stuck with it no matter what. I calmly told her this is a scam, and they really shouldn't be selling stuff like this if it is just going to screw the customer over. She told me to call Office Depot main office, that they can help me. After another hour of wasted time on the phone, I finally got a human on the line, who ran me around in circles before finally telling me that since I bought it at the store, the store would have to resolve it. The principle of the thing is what really bothers me here. This store is absolutely ok with knowingly selling defective products, with no recourse or intention of ever making it right. I wish I hadn't spent an additional $100 there that day on printer ink, paper, page sleeves, and other items for my cookbook project. I was calm and respectful and disgusted that this establishment showed me no sign of trying to help me, or that they even acknowledged any issue on their part. So, this is what you potentially have to look forward to from the good folks at Office Depot in Burleson, Texas. Beware buying anything there before trying it out in the store. If it plugs in, plug it in and see if it comes on. If it has moving parts, make sure they move. And DO NOT buy software from them unless you have money to burn. They do not seem to care about their customers. This is either a cold person (manager) who just doesn't give a flip about the customer, OR a company policy forced on the manager. Either way, it is truly unacceptable to me and I'll be going the extra couple miles to Staples from now on.
