Complaint Review: Microsoft Store

When I first saw the Microsoft Surface advertised I went on line to pre-order one for Christmas gift for a family member. I was told this would be a nice gift and would be hard to get in time for Christmas. I am a retiree and do not deal with many electronics retailers. I have an "fashioned computer" and I am not all that good on that either. I mostly use mine for email and/or ordering things from Amazon, JCP, Qvc, and the like.

I called customer service first to make sure I knew what to do. They talked me into purchasing the hundred dollar extra protection plan along with the biggest Surface, the 64GB. At the time I told them this was a going to be for Christmas - they told me there was a place on the order form in which to say so and include a note - which I did. I pre-ordered the surface in October, spending a total of $850.00, and it came soon after. It was then tucked away until Christmas. 

At Christmas it was opened and registered with Microsoft. During the next 2 days the recipient called Microsoft repeatedly - could not the apps he needed to download - found out couldn't use the item for use intended.

I called Microsoft on Dec. 27 and was told too bad, so sad, out of luck, couldn't return the item as it was purchased over 30 days ago. I have called them repeatedly trying to make them understand it was not touched before Christmas - they could check the calls we made to their Customer Service, etc. No matter who many times I have contacted them, the answer is always the same, NO. 

So not only am I out 850.00 I am also sick at heart to know my family member cannot use this item - it went back in the box and there it sits. I imagine we will have to try and sell it on EBay and take a big hit. What really hits my hot button is the fact that I have dealt with other on line retailers, as I stated above, Amazon and the like, and as long as I am honestly returning an item for a good reason, in new condition, in good faith with a receipt, I have never, ever had a problem with returns. Microsoft says I should have read their return policy - because of what I have just said about never having a problem, it never entered my mind to read the darn thing.

I am upset at the way they do business, sick at heart that the recipient is out a gift, and really angry that I am out all that money as I don't have the money to turn around and buy another tablet or whatever you call it  that will work for my family member.