Broderbund - Appstream("Smart" download)

dragonfist22

Yesterday, I purchased Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing directly through Broderbund as an electronic download.

Unfortunately, apparently downloading via their "smart" download does not work with Vista. I later found out that this is meantioned on the site but not at the point where I purchased it where it just said "Windows".

I tried e-mail customer service and on the phone. I explained the above situation many different ways but they had no way for me to download the product. The product works with Vista and I can pay for the shipping of a CD to get the product, but I cannot download it to a Vista computer, no way, no how.

I wound up starting the process to get a refund, but I am aggast at the fact that one cannot DOWNLOAD a product to Vista and that the company refuses to provide a means of doing so. I mean, how hard is it to provide a freaking link the setup program on their server? I paid for the program but I cannot have it because of my version of windows. Not, there may be compatibility issues with Vista, but "Sorry Sir, but as of right now, we have no product that you can download to a Vista Computer."

I cannot think with this at all. I have ordered quite a few software products off the internet and this is the very first time I couldn't download it because of the operating system I was using. I mean, normally, I could download Mac Software to my PC if I want to. The browser doesn't care what operating system I am using.

In this case, the program would work with Vista, If I could only get it there.

I took the refund as opposed to paying the shipping charges for a backup CD because I was bent out of shape over this. I didn't buy a freaking CD. I bought a download. I certainly don't want to pay extra for it even if it is just the shipping costs. Just make the download available to me.

The Customer Service Rep apparenttly had no way to do this so I chose the refund. I don't know what the problem is with this Appstream system (seems like Steam for BroderBund) but it just costs BroderBund a purchase and I doubt I am the only one( though I guess there may be others who just paid for the shipping of the CD.)

Leaves me feeling very dissatisfied with the company.

dragonfist22

BTW, in the end I decided to find another product that actually allowed me to download the product no matter my OS.

http://www.individualsoftware.com/pr...g_instruction/

From the reviews I read, it stacks up to Mavis Beacon. I'll post my own findings after I use it.