Got an Audigy or Extigy? Creative owes you money.

Creative Labs has settled a lawsuit that alleged misleading marketing of its Audigy and Extigy sound cards.  It seems they said the sound cards could handle 24-bit audio at 96Khz when, well, they couldn't.  So if you bought an Audigy ES, Audigy Platinum, Audigy Platinum eX, Audigy Gamer, Audigy MP3+, or an original Extigy external USB sound module between March 28, 1999 and December 29, 2004, there's a good chance Creative owes you some dough.  To placate you, they'll pony up 25% off your next Creative purchase, up to $62.50.  But don't put it off too long, the offer will expire September 25th.

[Thanks, Bill S.]

[acidreflux @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I have never understood how companies that are found guilty in lawsuits (e.g. class action) can "reconcile" their error by providing upgrades and not reimbursement.

[James SCott @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Ok this doesnt make any sense, so their punishment is to sell you another card rather than to SWAP? Who won this lawsuit again? Sounds like Creative is the winner in this one, they get to sell you another crumby card.

[r3m0 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

really they should offer a fixed amount off a creative product depending on how much you paid for the card, you could prob get something for nothing that way. anyway there still ok cards less you wanna get all nerdy bout Hz :p

ooooo talk g33ky2me

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

What James said.

[bobby @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

That's the mad brilliance of the class action lawsuit. Lawyers will recruit people to be "members of the class", usually paying them. Then they'll file the suit for people like you and I. They will then settle the suit - they get millions of dollars in fees and you get a 25 dollar coupon. Glad all those nice trial lawyers are out serving justice.

[TheTspot.org Admin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Go James.
I have an audigy 2. Do I get money or a new card?


http://www.thetspot.org

[~J~ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

During the times stated I've had 3 cards for 3 different machines.

My next purchase will only be one card, so do I get the remainder back in cash, or a $187.50 discount off my next card?

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

any idea where i can get a refund?

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

is there a United Kingdom version of the form?

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Was the Audigy even on the market in March 1999? Someone must've wiped my memory because I thought their top-of-the-line card for the majority of 1999 was the Soundblaster Live Platinum, which later was upgraded to 5.1 digital sound. I thought the Audigy came out in 2000.

[quanta @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Audigy came out in August 2001. I remember waiting for it before buying a new AthlonXP.

Unfortunately, I bought an Audigy Value (aka OEM), which doesn't seem to count(?!).

What a lame settlement. No wonder companies lie to our faces every day.

[Creative Labs Victim @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

just love the snarky writing style... :D

...will be able to get 25 per cent off the cost of their next purchase from Creative's website, up to a limit of $62.50.

Hurry, this GREAT offer ends September 25, 2005.

Meanwhile, the lawyers who helped inflict this savage punishment on Creative will get up to $470,000 for their work, it seems.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

There's a website for this case. I can't remember the site since I checked it out at home--but you can send a written objection to the judge. The address and instructions appear on the site. I don't think a 25%-off coupon is going to do it for me. By the way, is that 25% off retail or will they reimburse me based on my receipt? If it's only 25% their retail price, I could probably find a better deal on Newegg.

[Tyler @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

So did Creative know that their product wasn't up to advertised specifications? I think so... But why not false advertise? They don't have to give refunds or anything out of pocket. They are just giving a 25% discount, which they are probibly still making money. I can't complain about my card except for the fact it advertised 7.1 but that is only using the digital output. Well have fun with your discounts everyone, I think I am going to give mine to a friend.

[Exzite @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you - The Carmi Saga.

At my link above, you can read my feeble attempts to get Carmi to stop spamming engadget, and his Carmi-responses from Carmi-land.

Sadly, Carmi has now disabled comments on his blog after my escapades (fitting don't you think) and deleted all my comments, however the are archived above at my blog forever for all to see. The truth will not be silenced!

Stop by for a read if you're bored.

[Soir @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Hmm, I don't seem to get my question answered where ever I look ... I have a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro, and I bought it around January 2004 ... I guess that this product isn't effected by this, right?

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Oh boy! A 25% off coupon that is only good at Creative's web site!

What a bunch of crap. Their web store is probably 25% higher than most other online retailers anyway.

[Monmin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

#13, your post is worse than anything Carmi ever did.

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

#17. not really. Carmi was the most annoying commenter in the entire universe. reading his comments on every single post made my brain hurt. not from their sheer brilliance mind you. oh no. quite the opposite.

the insistance on double-URLing is highly annoying as well... hey! 'TheTspoT.org Admin' ... you listening?

as far as Creative goes... i really can't believe companies get away with this. how is this a punishment? even if they had to give you a replacement FOR FREE... it is barely a punishment due to the manuafacturing cost vs. retail cost. merely giving a *discount* to an already disenfranchised consumer? seems like a punishment to them.

[SlackerDX @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

#14: Seriously, now you are spamming worse than he did. At least he contributed something (however worthless) to the discussion. All you are doing is plugging your blog which is all about making fun of Carmi for plugging his blog in a public forum.

[Carmi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

I disagree. One post with a very normal and proper link to a webpage, versus many many pretty inane (IMO) comments with double URLing and the repeated name thing.

#14 - I salute you.

[Csimbi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Anyone knows how (and where to claim the money back?
Thank You.

[olivilo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

i fall into this discount time period.
have the reciept here in front of me. ;P

how do i take advantage of this?

creative has nothing on their website about this!

[Alan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

This info in this article is incorrect. The only money goes to the attorney's. All you get is a 25% off coupon for your next Creative product purchase.
The attonrey's and original plantif get money.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 2:14AM]

Oh- Boy!, This feels like de-ja-vu all over again!
This looks just like the BIG one I got when my old man passed away!
Crap on a stick...Wit out da stick!
Gee thanks Creative.