ANOTHER PC World problem

Derek2020

Hello...
Whilst researching this forum to see if anyone else has had PC World problems, I have been shocked by how many there have been, with many having a far bigger problem than I, so I apologise to them for mentioning what is relatively trivial.
I needed to purchase a windows 10 OS due to a HDD failure and needing a fresh install. Their website advises it is quicker, easier, better for the environment etc to download rather than order DVD or USB via a courier.

Now, every item of software I've bought online has been available more or less straight away, with an emailed link arriving shortly after payment is made. But not PC World; no, they 'aim' to email me a link within the next 3 business days and given we're now in a bank holiday weekend, that's going to make it the best part of a week before I receive it- longer than ordering a DVD via a proper retailer.

Does anyone have any experience of this, please? Or am I being unreasonable even in this day and age?

Many thanks
Derek

MattMattMattUK

You used PC World, poor customer service should be the expected result. The Microsoft or Amazon download service would have been available in seconds (and probably cheaper). With a clean install you also do not need to buy a new OS, you can download from the MS site and use your existing W10 license.

pbartlett

As above - google media creation tool and that will allow you to download windows from microsoft and burn to a bootable dvd or a usb drive to install on your new HDD. It will recognise that you have already had windows on this machine and activate it (assuming it is the same flavour eg home, pro etc)

Derek2020

Hello Matt Amazon was my first choice, but most of the vendors there are counterfeit- new start companies masquerading as established names, and using 'borrowed' VAT numbers. I think I looked at all the vendors there.
I currently have W8.1 so I don't have a W10 licence.

Hello Pbartlett the current drive is entirely failed, so I've replaced it with a SSD unit and I'm trying to replace 8.1 with 10.

The solution: The only way to guarantee I get a genuine copy and can download and use it straight away is to buy from Microsoft and initiate a chargeback with Currys/PCWorld. Though my bank has taken the details already, they say it is "unusual" for anyone to initiate a chargeback so quickly; I countered that by saying in my 4 decades of having a card, I have never found the need to initiate a chargeback at all, so for me to do so this time shows just how bad PC world is behaving.

Even today, call centre tells me to use online, online tells me to use call centre, twitter page tells me to leave a DM- which is an automatic script bot. They don't publish their email address and they can't help in store. What's more irritating is they are forcing some sales as 'business', meaning you lose certain consumer rights.

Thanks again for the comments.
Derek

JJ_Egan

I upgraded 8 to 10 free of charge no problems via methods posted here .

bris

Does Curry's promise a delivery straight away? If not your chargeback will fail as they technically have done nothing wrong.

pbartlett

Hi - your W8 'key' will be fine for W10 - just download the ISO as I have stated and install - no need to buy anything

Diamandis

Derek2020 said:

The solution: The only way to guarantee I get a genuine copy and can download and use it straight away is to buy from Microsoft and initiate a chargeback with Currys/PCWorld. Though my bank has taken the details already, they say it is "unusual" for anyone to initiate a chargeback so quickly; I countered that by saying in my 4 decades of having a card, I have never found the need to initiate a chargeback at all, so for me to do so this time shows just how bad PC world is behaving.

I don't see how a chargeback will be successful, or really that they are behaving "badly". They didn't say it was an instant download anywhere did they? Also, I wasn't able to find Windows 10 on the currys site, did you purchase it from currys.co.uk or business.currys.co.uk ?

molerat

Ouch !!!

Worst case scenario is having to install W8 and upgrade.  No need to buy a licence.  I upgraded several machines well outside the freebie period.

Jenni_D

molerat said:

Ouch !!!

Worst case scenario is having to install W8 and upgrade.  No need to buy a licence.  I upgraded several machines well outside the freebie period.

Probably don't even need to reinstall W8 ... just install W10 and use the W8 key.

https://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/

Derek2020

bris said:

Does Curry's promise a delivery straight away? If not your chargeback will fail as they technically have done nothing wrong.

Sorry, I know this is four years old, but I felt compelled to reply. When one sees 'download' on a sales site, any reasonable person would surely believe that meant instantly or in a reasonable space of time.

In any case, four years later, I'm still waiting.