Complaint Review: Corel

On December 20, 2011 I walked into a local Walmart at bought Roxio Cd and DVD Burning Software. I did not install it on my computer since I am a traveling insurance agent and left the state on business. When I returned I forgot about the software for a few more months. In July of 2012, I try to install the software on my computer. Everything is fine until I reach a screen where it asks for the product key#, a 17 character code that validates the purchase and allows installation of the software.

I get a message that says Invalid Code! I re-enter it again being very careful not to confuse zero's with o's, etc. Mine had nothing in the code that could be confused, it simply was an invalid code printed on a label glued to the inside of plastic housing that contained the cd. I contacted Roxio which is now Corel. Corel bought out Roxio on February of 2012. First of all, they have no phone support at all, I had to email them and wait for a reply. We have been emailing back and forth over a week now and all they do is make excuses hoping I don't have a receipt, etc.

First, they wanted proof of purchase and they told me if I could supply them with that, they would send me a valid key code. I went through all my credit card receipts and found the original Walmart Receipt. I emailed it to them and they replied with a thank you but not good enough. They keep asking for technical things like bld files and other things which most people won't have any clue how or where to find them. For example, they wanted a copy of the root file but never told me how or where on my computer is the Roxio Root file.

Then after much research and getting them the root file, that was not good enough. The claimed they wanted a screen shot of the screen showing the Cd Key product number and the corresponding screen display. I finally took a photo of the screen with my cell phone camera, uploaded the photo to the computer and emailed it to them as an attachment, hoping that would satisfy their upper management and they would either refund my thirty dollar purchase or send me a working key code. Surprise! Not good enough for them still! I have been emailing them back and forth for about four days now and I am worn out with their excuses. They have the proof of purchase in a valid receipt from my credit card company, they have the screen shot showing the key code they gave me is no good and yet they still make excuses and refuse to give me a working product key# or a refund.

I just got an email from them asking for a bld code and technical instructions on how to get that to them. I simply refuse since I know I have given them all the law requires. There simply is no end to what they can ask of you knowing full well it wastes lots of time and energy and they hope you give up and they win by not giving you what you want. My advice to all, Don't by Corel or Roxio Products since you risk losing your money if the product has an invalid code, you will be put through many many hours of emailing photos, codes, root files, etc before they comply and they may never comply. They will waste your valuable time! In my case, I have a brand new software product that I am going to have to throw away, never ever having used it because Corel refuses to make good on the purchase.

They  know full well that it is their fault they gave me an invalid code. I've been ripped off! Any decent company would instantly either give you your money back or at least make the product installable knowing they have your money! I don't know how to fight these big companies without having to get lawyers involved and it is simply not worth it for the measly thirty dollars they stole from me. The problem is, how many others have suffered a fate like mine and at thirty dollars a piece, it adds up quickly. It hurts to throw away a brand new unused product that you have paid for and the company gets to keep your money! Stay away from Corel or Roxio Products or take a chance you will be victimized  and suffer the consequences just like me.