Cheapest Office 365 family subscription source

flaneurs_lobster

That Argos offer looks fine. What you are actually purchasing are cards (are they still scratchcards?) with the product key on that you enter as per your existing 365 install. Don't think there will be any need to install the McAfee if you don't want it, let alone register or input payment details.

Etro looks OK-ish, company has existed for a year as has the website. Shows up as a "Verified Microsoft Partner". No physical address on the website, company is registered at an accommodation address on City Road. 

For the sake of a tenner I'd buy at Argos. 

aroominyork

What happens the day after my current subscription ends if I haven't started a new one? Do all my spreadsheets self-destruct...?

MyRealNameToo

aroominyork said:

What happens the day after my current subscription ends if I haven't started a new one? Do all my spreadsheets self-destruct...?

No, you just can't use the Excel desktop application any more... it doesn't happen immediately, it's normally a few weeks after the subscription expires that it catches up. If you are using OneDrive to store files that may be more of a problem but I dont (at least not my own) so can't say. 

If you have another application that supports XLSX etc or use the web then the files can still be opened, edited etc. 

Normally just wait until the app opens saying it's unlicensed and buy a new one then so getting later each year when I have to buy a new sub. 

Shimrod

aroominyork said:

What happens the day after my current subscription ends if I haven't started a new one? Do all my spreadsheets self-destruct...?

The apps go to read-only, so you can still access your files but not create or edit new ones. There's a grace period on Onedrive allowing you to copy/backup the files elsewhere (or give you time to renew the Office licence). Any files that are on Onedrive only will be lost when the grace period runs out.

I tend to keep an eye out on Amazon for Office licence key in Prime sales and Black Friday to take advantage of the lower prices. My current expiry date is September 2027, with the last licence bought in July 2025 for £44.95.

MouldyOldDough

aroominyork said:

I need to renew 365 Family. This Argos offer looks good. Can anyone advise if I can turn off McAfee and just use the Office? https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4330082?clickSR=slp:term:office 365 family:1:4:1. I realise I would have to turn off auto-renewal on McAfee.

Also, does this Etro option look safe? 

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16192356

Etro are a UK registered company run from Morocco !

aroominyork

MouldyOldDough said:

aroominyork said:

I need to renew 365 Family. This Argos offer looks good. Can anyone advise if I can turn off McAfee and just use the Office? https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4330082?clickSR=slp:term:office 365 family:1:4:1. I realise I would have to turn off auto-renewal on McAfee.

Also, does this Etro option look safe? 

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16192356

Etro are a UK registered company run from Morocco !

I might give them a skip...

holleybush

Yes, please swerve these Etro Software scumbags completely! I'm ashamed to say I used them today, thought I'd save some money but no, wasted money instead. I ordered family 365, didn't get a product key, just a link to join another "family". I've obviously never heard of the other 5 members! So, I can't add my additional family members because the "owner " is 'Youssef Harbaj' and I've never heard of them. So I have 1TB of storage, not 6TB. And have adopted a new family! I've reported to Microsoft and my bank, but more than likely nothing will come of it. AVOID

aroominyork

If you paid by credit card you should be protected. 

BFBW

aroominyork said:

If you paid by credit card you should be protected. 

Section 75 of the UK's Consumer Credit Act provides powerful buyer protection, making your credit card provider jointly liable with the retailer for faulty goods, non-delivery, or misrepresentation, covering purchases between £100 and £30,000...

flaneurs_lobster

 So, I can't add my additional family members because the "owner " is 'Youssef Harbaj' and I've never heard of them. 

Mr Harbaj is the (sole) director of Etro Software Ltd.

What an odd scam, rather than flogging recycled product keys it would seem that they are buying legit family licences and "selling" the individual family memberships. 

There's a (mobile) phone number for their sales/support https://etrosoftware.com/contact-us/
and this statement

You are eligible for a full refund if:
You are not satisfied with your Microsoft 365 — Family or Personal for any reason within 30 days of purchase

Worth a go?