Aussie Office 2013 offer up close

Office WatchLast updated: 17 July 2018

Is the latest offer for Office 2013 such a great deal?

Down in Australia there’s some special offers for Office 2013. Alas, when you look at the details it’s not such a great deal.

The Get Modern offers for small businesses are summarized by Microsoft like this:

Microsoft offers image from Aussie Office 2013 offer up close at Office-Watch.com

Let’s look at the $30 cashback offer ….

$30 cashback

To get $30 from Microsoft you have to buy a PC or tablet with Windows 8 Professional (not a cheaper version like Home Premium) AND a year’s subscription to Office 365 licence (Small Business Premium, Midsize, E3) with a minimum purchase of FIVE computers plus licences.

The company has to have less than 250 employees and be new to Office 365. Volume License purchases don’t count.

You have to purchase the Office 365 subscription via Microsoft’s Australian agent Telstra – which charges more for exactly the same service purchased in other countries.

You have to buy during the ‘promotion period’ 1 October 2013 – 24 December 2013 but here’s the kicker – you have to apply within FIVE days of purchase. Miss that 5 day deadline or not submit all the necessary paperwork in that time and you get nothing. Cashback offers normally allow a lot more time to redeem; this trap alone will save Microsoft a lot of money.

Compare that demand for speed by the customer with the long time Microsoft allows itself to pay the cashback – “within about 60 days” – the word ‘about’ giving Microsoft plenty of wiggle room to delay payment a bit longer.

But here’s the fine print we think is especially galling:

“Cashback funds are limited and will be provided to Customers that have submitted their claims in accordance with these terms on a first come first served basis. Microsoft will notify customers via the Promotion Web Site when the Cashback fund limit has been reached and no further Cashback claims will be paid.”

The amount of the ‘limited’ funds is unstated so Microsoft can choose to end this cashback offer at any time. Bad luck if you’ve made the purchases and qualified, Microsoft can decide they can’t afford to pay and refuse to honor the deal.

Is it good value?

Let’s say you buy a desktop computer with Windows 8 Pro for $750 (a cheap price) plus the cheapest Office 365 annual subscription (Small Business Premium) for $162. That’s a total layout of say $900 – for which Microsoft may pay back less than 4%.

Its money (if you get it) but not a fantastic saving especially given the onerous conditions and waiting time.

Terms and Conditions for the $30 cash-back offer.