Microsoft misses some Valentine's Day Zune shipments?
By Ryan Block 
posted Feb 9th 2008 12:57AM
posted Feb 9th 2008 12:57AM
[Thanks Sean and Mike]
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I suppose when you have more money than God, you can afford to do things like this.
Good going all the same, though.
Their order fulfillment system must be running on Windows Vista.
He might not have as much money as Microsoft but he can still smite your ass. Just wait till you go outside tomorrow :p.
Jeff, that could have been potentially hi-larrious had Vista had some sort of problem with things like that...
Zune is grounds for divorce... it's an iPod or the couch honey... oh snap!
Nothing says "love" like cheap crapware that needs fixing after 8 months of use.
Amen to that, Dragod.
Nothing says a lack of intelligence like these three comments.
amen to that intrepid.
Class act.
Shame about ruining a great Valentine's gift though.
Luckily, it's a holiday where last-minute alternatives "pop up" just when you need them...
Wow, way to go above and beyond...so now the guy can buy one for himself as well
Does anyone actually own a zune? Why?
because some people don't want ipods and find the zune an attractive solution to their mobile entertainment needs
(disclosure: I've owned just about every major MP3 player over the years)
Why not? The flash-based ones are great devices, the software is relatively intuitive and does what I want. The 80 has some real heft to it (not a bad thing IMHO) -- doesn't feel like a toy at all. The laser engraving on the Zune Originals is a superb touch, and are presented in a very classy way upon arrival.
Another bonus is all my purchased music from Zune Marketplace works on my media center box and extenders. While this may not be everyone's cup o' tea, it works for me.
That joke is so old. Why are you still using it? Why?
Why are you an idiot? WHY?
ipods aren't the only portable digital audio player on the market.
Earth to AJ there are other player like Zune or others. AJ its time to wake up from Steve Job's brainwashing dream. i have had mp3 player from samsung and creative and they are great too.
note:I like apple too. I have been using mac since the candy color imacs and i own ipods too. Also i have windows computer too from Dell and Fujitsu.
i own 1, my 3 best friend all own 1, well 1 even owns 2 cuz he had the first gen. let see...oh my neighbor next door owns 1, including my neighbor below me. umm...and friend i kno from back in high school. a customer from my job. and not to mention every1 i kno who wants one.
Wixostrix -
You ARE the social!
I've actually discovered a few great bands while sharing music with six of my friends who have one.
Because it's a quality MP3 player with a gorgeous screen. It plays movies that I record using Media Center, or ones I rip off DVDs, and has plenty of space to store them. The iPod Classic doesn't have the screen, and the iPod touch doesn't have the storage capacity.
It also offers a subscription plan that works with multiple devices and PCs, so for $15 a month my fiancé and I both get to download as much music as we want to our separate music libraries on different PCs, or stream the full versions right through the Zune software. I've downloaded dozens of albums I wouldn't otherwise have, simply because there's no 'cost' to check out new music. I've only encountered a few bands that don't participate in the subscription plan (Metallica and Zeppelin, for example).
It's not perfect by any means. I really wish their new software offered more features for power users. But for what it is, it works very well, and I have several jealous iPod-toting coworkers.
Statistically and on average AJ is right. Looking at iPod vs Zune sales starting from the last qtr of 2006 when the Zune was realized. Apple has sold approximately 100 million iPods and over the same period MS has managed to sale under 3 million, that’s 1 Zune for every 34 iPods. This means it doesn’t really matter whether wixostrix’s whole block owns a Zune the sales figures say it all. Taking total iPod sales to date the probability of AJ meeting a Zunist from wixostrix’s block and his “many” other Zune owners is 0.0185. Which means AJ might never meet a Zunist.
Well that’s statistically.
As for me I’m yet to see a Zune player MS has been concentrating too much on the US market and have totally forgotten about us. Its just iPod store after store. Though I currently have the 60GB video and a Nano for gym, with falling Zune prices I would probably buy one simply because I’m a sucker for gadgets.
they just scrap the entire valentine thing because they probabily just got about 10 orders. i mean the worst thing you can do is give someone a customize anything, i mean i'll be mad as hell if my wife got me a MP3 player for a holiday with my name on it. how the hell is someone goin to ebay it when a new model comes in, if it has your freaking name on it
It's supposed to be a personalized "I love you" valentines gift, not a "oh, I'm going to sell this on eBay" gift, you f*cking retard.
That's why they make post cards for, dum ass. Mp3 players if you keep them for more than a year, you got no choice but to Throw it in the garbage
You throw away your MP3 players after only a year?
That rule applies only to iPods apparently. Fortunately, nearly every other MP3 player will last longer than that.
I see iPods that are engraved go for the same price as a non engraved one all the time on eBay.
Well if you where among the smart ones that sold your 30gb zune last year for $200 2 days before the new model was release you might had realise you only had to spend $50 to get the new 80gb model, try selling it now you probabily get $30 if your lucky LOL
@Steve, good look trying to get rid of something that says, I love you Lucy on the back. If you goin to give someone anything give them something they could use all their live.
OK, now you're being an idiot. I don't think someone who is looking for a used MP3 player cares what it says on the BACK of the player. I think they're trying to save money by getting it used.
well Steve if your wife catches you with a zune engraved with someones name on the back?? Just make sure you still have a paypal invoice, otherwise your ass is grass
snitch, I feel sorry for your wife. Surely she must have trouble finding you gifts that will hold their value on ebay.
You don't have a wife- don't kid yourself.
Snitch - Hi, welcome to the Internet. We'd love to show you around but first you have to realize one thing - if you've said something stupid, do not continue. You will only dig a deeper whole. There is no redemption here - stop trying. Let it go and move on - there will be another day.
Now we can show you around. You'll probably really like 4chan.org, I suggest going and checking that out.
Because it's cool to be uncool!
Just got a 80gb red on thursday, left from china on monday. Now we have black and red 80 giggers. We own them because actually sound better than the the ipod even without equalizers, AJ. And syncs perfectly with media center TV shows using zune software.
The 80 also makes a nice base for a living room audio system when you don't have whole-house wiring for speakers. Music "just shows up" on it when I purchase a new song.
http://tac-elf.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!2112E7A003863DEE!299/?startingImageIndex=1
I wish I had a time machine, I would totally go back and order a Zune, so that I could get it for free.
Naturally, that would be the best possibly use of said time machine.
But seriously, the Zune would be an awesome Valentines day gift.
Its an awesome player for a crappy day.
^^
the only worthwhile comment on this post
Hopefully they don't further rush assembly lines. Mine arrived with a bad seal on the screen now dust gets in behind the screen like crazy. It is out for warranty work though.
They now even give you money if you buy a zune? And still no one wants one?!
STFU man, the iPod is the expensive sh8te
In fact, i just sold my new nano to buy a zune 30, because 26 more GBs for 30 bucks is worth it
hmm...funny how u claim no one wants them when i kno im sumone and i wanted one...
also, more and more ppl i kno are getting zunes. and everyone i kno who has one are completely satisfied, including myself.
You didn't sell a nano to get a zune. You never had an iPod and you don't have a zune so STFU yourself. Poser!
I wouldn't mind a Zune, there is no way it could give me anymore problems than my iPod.
care to explain these problems?
o ya and zune fanbois can you even picture this:
"Ok class school had started put away your zunes and mp3 players"
Ya i know it will never happen. iPod is a household name. it's not cool to have the latest zune, no one cares.
But to be fair i know one person who wants to get a zune, good thing he asked me if they are any good. i told him they blow so he got a 160gb ipod.
Microsoft is by definition uncool
And Apple is by definition brainwash.
and Creative is by definition creative.
now that's not fair i'm sure you have atleast one thing microsoft, however if you would have said the zune is uncool then that makes sense
I know you guys are all busy insulting each others taste in mp3 players, but am I the only one who finds the engraving hilarious? "Better luck next year"? Is there any worse way to say its over other than "dont let the door hit you on the way out"?
Uh... Engadget photoshopped I think.
Gimme a break guys... A company fell behind on their supply so they give the $250 product to the customer for free!!! Lets see another company do that... FREE firmware upgrades, full refunds when you dont get your delivery ON TIME, Ego-free electronics? Well, sign me the f*^k up.
obvoiusly they're desperate.
desperate? or smart? they said it would be there, it wont, u'll still get it. but to minimize complaints u get ur money back. i mean, is MICROSOFT, im sure the shrink is not gonna kill em.
[sarcasm alert] i like how ppl talk s**t even when MS isnt doin anything wrong
^ Because of that comment, my next MP3 player will be the Zune.
Giving a full refund AND the Zune is pretty classy. Good job Microsoft.
Yeah. I could not imagine Apple doing something like that. They would probably charge you extra for some strange reason.
The amount of ignorance by some of these commenters is amazing!
One of my friends ordered an ipod and it got misplaced or something and never got to her, so she called the representatives and all they did was give her free express shipping. Basically what that did was completely move her away from them, so i think thia is a really good move by microsoft! Good Job!
I am wholly impressed by Microsoft for doing this. It is really going above and beyond. What would most companies do? They'd say "have a few free songs and shut up." But they're actually giving them an extra $250. That's class, and it's only for Valentines, which is an pointless holiday to begin with. I dont care whether you are an Apple, Linux, or MS fanboi, you really cannot complain about this kind of customer service.
Whoa--that is awfully nice of Microsoft. Those customers must have a better taste in their mouth than us iPhone Touch users who were supposed to shell out $20 for software that should've been free.
Not the same? Oh, then how about Microsoft upgrading all 30GB Zune devices to support features and software of the 2nd gen systems?
Hard to understand why some Apple fanboys still take every opportunity to rip anything but the iPod.
Engadget is so cynical about this whole thing. Not surprising considering Ryan Block wrote this. If Apple did the same thing, this same post would be all glee and glory.
Ok, I will go throw up now.
All of these comments either attacking the Zune or iPod are so lame. They're MP3 players for Christ's sake. They play music, podcasts, videos, etc. Sometimes in the car, sometimes on the go. They're virtually interchangeable, and in real life (not on the internets), no one cares which one you have. Really.
Let me repeat that: Most people don't give a shit.
Reminds me of something Charlie Booker said about cell phones:
"If you truly believe you need to pick a mobile phone that 'says something' about your personality, don't bother. You don't have a personality."
Obviously, the same applies here.
Ahhh...that was cathartic.
Wow, what with Microsoft giving away its major firmware upgrade to existing Zune owners and now this move, they really are differentiating themselves from tricks Apple likes to play. In the case of positive perception, at least with the Zune anyway, Microsoft is winning me over.
As disappointed as I would be if I had ordered one for that special someone. I would have to admit that with all the hiccups that Microsoft has had for the last couple of years, They have done an awesome job in making up for them.
Well, every company will screw up sometime.
Or possibly that their building a product and its reputation. Keep in mind it usually takes microsoft 2-to-3 versions before they get it right. The Zune 30 was a decent media player, they stepped it up with the 8, 4 and 80. The 3rd gen, Im sure, will be an excellent product. With this game its about reliability and reputation. Not to start a flame war, but Apple used to live by that rule and theyre dropping the ball and upsetting a lot of their customer base. Moves like giving a full refund is the type of thing that make people want to do business with a company. Keep in mind that not everyone is a technophile and they just want something dependable from a company that makes gestures like this to take care of those who buy their product... People have already stated all over the net that it motivates them to want Zune.
This post is so cool.
Luckily mine did ship, but I was the last to know.
Microsoft/Zune Originals somehow forgot to email me a tracking number;
A Fed Ex 'Door Tag' didn't appear till the third attempt; then gave me hell when I tried to pick up.
Nevertheless..
I really enjoy the Zune; own both the 30 and the 80.
My girlfriend has a Creative Zen, but really wanted this red one after using mine for a bit.
Can't wait till she gets it.
The hardware itself, which does exactly what I need it to do and video looks so good on it, but it isn't the Zune's biggest sellpoint though.
Yes the 80 is ALOT slicker than the 30, but it's the 'All You Can Eat' music service that's the biggest draw for me. I get to find new music everyday, from missed gems of the past to up and coming hotness. You can't beat the size of the collection available for $15/month; every iPod ownder I work with pokes fun till I talk about the service.
Yeah they are DRM'd but the non-DRM'd collection is growing daily as well. And anything I really MUST own, I can now buy with confidence on CD if I want. Gone is the day of wasting cash on 'one track wonder' albums.
As for the Zune haters,
Why, you ask... because I can!
Be happy with whatever you got. Your time is too precious heheh.
/novel
Its a refund, the products were already paid in full before Microsoft sent the message about the refund. AKA How is it a desperate move if the people who bought it originally didn't receive a full refund until after paying in full for the player. Now take your simple one way of thinking fanboy mind and Get Out.
Hey I got a similar letter with something missing, Take a look:
Dear Zune® Originals customer,
We wanted to provide you with an update on your order status. We are working diligently to make sure your order gets to you by Valentine’s Day, but due to some issues in our fulfillment center there remains a chance we will miss getting your Zune to you by February 14th. We are working hard to get your order to you as quickly as possible and we plan to ship your within the next 3-4 days. Once your order is in transit, we will send you a shipping confirmation with a link for tracking.
Our goal is to provide a smooth customer experience for ordering, customization, and delivery. We sincerely apologize for this delay and are working diligently to get your order to you before Valentine’s Day.
If you have additional questions, please call 1.877.GET.ZUNE. For fastest service, press 5 then press 1 and have your order information ready.
The Zune Originals Team
Now I Didn't order the red Zune but I did order before the Valentine promotion deadline. Why am I not being included in the refund?! Is Engadget and everyone else sure this thing for real?
Its really funny Big Brother decides to refund people a few bucks and that makes him cool. Suddenly $250 makes up for all the crap that we have had to take from MS over the years. Come on you don’t have to look at Zune sales twice to know that this is a desperate move and most of you up in here are just posers.
FordGTGuy wake up and smell the coffee how many people have already said they will buy or consider buying a Zune because of this gesture from Big Brother. Don’t be “ignert” this is business MS is not doing it simply because they are sorry and they love your arse, they are simply taking the competition to the service level which is a smart move in my books. Turn a bad situation into a good one and whilst we are at it lets hope we pull the sales figures in the first qtr up.
Anyway this Zune iPod flaming is tired I think the most regrettable thing is buying a Zune because you don’t want to be called an Apple Fanboy.
I always find it funny that Zune lovers flame iPod Fanboys by saying they have been brainwashed. 90% of the world uses MS powered PCs and 7% uses Macs, now stop and think isn’t this a similar dynamic with the Zune and the iPod. Am curious to know do Zune lovers use Macs because everyone has been brainwashed into PC mode. Duh!
I say buy the flipping player the suits your recreational lifestyle if Zune does it for you so be it, if you think this V day gesture is ample reason for you to get one, let it be. If having readily available accessories speakers, pouches etc is your thing get an iPod. This is not rocket science and there is nothing wrong with simply wanting to have something that people think is cool. We are humans for crying out loud.