Ultrashock Forums - View Single Post - [internet] Microsoft Unveils MSN Music Beta

AlexD · 2004-10-21 #7

I tried it.

First, I downloaded the new Windows Media Player and saw MSN Music inside it. I found an album I wanted (Tribute to the Prodigy) and clicked BUY NOW. It took me to a sign-up page, which I thought it would. But each time I tried signing up, it said there was an internal error. So I went off and came back later to that album, clicked BUY NOW, signed up, and got an error. Finally, the third time, I came back, clicked BUY NOW, signed up and got through. I made my account and purchased the album.

During each of these times, mind you, I had no "shopping cart" because I wasn't even a MEMBER yet. I didn't have any registered account until the final try.

First of all, they didn't charge me for it for two months, which I found annoying since I balance my checking accounts every day. Secondly, when it did go through, they charged me three times for a single download, an over charge of $17.

So I had to call up their customer service and get it sorted out. They had trouble tracking how many times I downloaded the album (why would I download an album more than once?). But they went out on a limb and believed my story, and I was transfered to a British woman who also believed my story and refunded me the $17.

It appeared in the back in the bank in about three days.
Jeeze.

------------------------------

The moral of the story is.... why in the hell did I buy from the MSN Store when I got WMAs? WMAs?!!! Give me MP3's you monopolistic bastards. I got my computer in 2002 and upgraded it over the years to keep it above the curve. But back then, in my ignorance, I started encoding my CD collections through Windows Media Player only to find out my entire music library is now in a format that Microsoft controls. I suppose I could, but I don't want to, delete it all and go back and reincode everything through WinAmp or something as an MP3.

But good lord...

I signed up for iTunes and have yet to buy anything, but I have a feeling it will be much easier and make more sense... and the files will be in a universal format.

	AlexD	2004-10-21 #7
	I tried it. First, I downloaded the new Windows Media Player and saw MSN Music inside it. I found an album I wanted (Tribute to the Prodigy) and clicked BUY NOW. It took me to a sign-up page, which I thought it would. But each time I tried signing up, it said there was an internal error. So I went off and came back later to that album, clicked BUY NOW, signed up, and got an error. Finally, the third time, I came back, clicked BUY NOW, signed up and got through. I made my account and purchased the album. During each of these times, mind you, I had no "shopping cart" because I wasn't even a MEMBER yet. I didn't have any registered account until the final try. First of all, they didn't charge me for it for two months, which I found annoying since I balance my checking accounts every day. Secondly, when it did go through, they charged me three times for a single download, an over charge of $17. So I had to call up their customer service and get it sorted out. They had trouble tracking how many times I downloaded the album (why would I download an album more than once?). But they went out on a limb and believed my story, and I was transfered to a British woman who also believed my story and refunded me the $17. It appeared in the back in the bank in about three days. Jeeze. ------------------------------ The moral of the story is.... why in the hell did I buy from the MSN Store when I got WMAs? WMAs?!!! Give me MP3's you monopolistic bastards. I got my computer in 2002 and upgraded it over the years to keep it above the curve. But back then, in my ignorance, I started encoding my CD collections through Windows Media Player only to find out my entire music library is now in a format that Microsoft controls. I suppose I could, but I don't want to, delete it all and go back and reincode everything through WinAmp or something as an MP3. But good lord... I signed up for iTunes and have yet to buy anything, but I have a feeling it will be much easier and make more sense... and the files will be in a universal format.