Microsoft Australia has a ‘cash back‘ deal on Office 365 subscriptions (new or renewal) bought until 3 January 2016. It’s worth checking out and we have some extra tips to help you get the most from Microsoft’s (temporary) largesse.
Like most people, we don’t like ‘cash back’ offers. They are often hard to claim and harder to follow up if the money doesn’t arrive …. facts that companies know all too well.
This offer is different. It’s claimed entirely online, there’s a follow up / enquiries phone and email address, the amount back is worth the trouble and it’s paid direct to your bank account.
Here’s the Australian deal:
- AUD$25 cash back
- Purchase of Office 365 Personal or Home
- These retail for $89 and $119 respectively so $25 off is a good discount.
- Not Office 365 University.
- For purchases between 18th November 2015 and 3rd January 2016.
- Must claim online before 31 January 2016.
- $25 payment within 60 days (‽) direct to a bank account.
- There is NO requirement for you to immediately activate or use the Office 365 Product Key you purchased.
- Multiple purchases are eligible but you have to claim separately for each Office 365 purchase.
The full Terms and Conditions are here. Keep in mind that “Purchases made from auction or bidding websites and overseas online retailers are not eligible.”. Interestingly, the official promoter of this offer is NOT Microsoft Australia – it’s Microsoft’s regional office in Singapore.
Here’s the claim form. You’ll need a scanned image of the purchase proof/receipt plus your bank account details.
Aside from the two month delay before payment (typical but still annoying) it looks like a good deal.
Office-Watch.com extra tips:
- Use this offer for RENEWALS of Office 365, not just new subscribers.
- It’s possible to extend an existing Office 365 account at any time by using the Product Key that comes from a retailer.
- Even if your current Office 365 account expires much later in 2016, it might be worthwhile taking this overall good price to extend the account now.
- As we’ve mentioned before, you should not renew Office 365 online when it’s nearly expired. Renewing online can be the most expensive option.
- As usual, buying from the Microsoft Online store is the most expensive option. Better to look for a better price from another retailer.
- As we type this Officeworks has good prices on Office 365 (Personal $77, Home $96)
- Watch out for tempting ‘headline’ prices on Office 365 that have already included the ‘cash back’ deal.
- Check to see what Office software is needed for your kids in 2016. School supplied computers may well come with Microsoft Office but you might want matching Office software on home computers.
- Office for iPad / Android does NOT require an Office 365 subscription, except for some quite advanced features that students don’t normally need.
- The deal is timed to get some sales over Christmas but not include the January ‘back to school’ demand. (Aussie schools start their academic year in late Jan/early Feb).
