Maine Creative Services » online http://www.mainecreative.com Affordable web design and SEO copywriting for small business Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:42:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Is Microsoft really that clueless? http://www.mainecreative.com/is-microsoft-really-that-clueless http://www.mainecreative.com/is-microsoft-really-that-clueless#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:55:03 +0000 Tom McKay http://www.attract-more-customers.com/?p=291 The Behemoth from Redmond has made billions selling software in boxes. Now — about ten years late — it’s finally opened an online store, leveraging the efficiency of the Internet to reduce overhead and offer lower prices. Except they’re not offering lower prices. They’re charging more online.

Hmmm, interesting strategy. Is there something I’m missing?

Let’s compare prices. Better yet, since I’m pretty lazy, let ReadWriteWeb do it.

Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1

  • Microsoft Store: $319.95
  • Amazon: $249.99
  • Royal Discount (via Bizrate) $222.98

Another example: Office Standard 2007 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)

  • Microsoft Store $399.95
  • Amazon: $318.99

OK, I realize Ballmer & Co. have to be careful not to incur the wrath of their retail channel by underselling them. But if you’re not going to offer bargains, why even bother with an online store? Would someone please enlighten me?

Or would somebody loan them a clue…

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