People love music. In the modern world all kinds of music have been purchased through Internet stores like iTunes and such. It became so easy that even young children have access to the Internet music stores. Apparently the new generation prefers digital download to the actual trip to the local mall. Now it seems easier than to buy gum in the deli around the corner. And itt should stay that way because the simplicity is what makes the whole idea of digital downloads so attractive.

Microsoft company decided to make some "improvements" and introduced a new scheme at "Zune Marketplace" which starts just like  most web stores: you create a free Zune account and register your credit card. But then they make you buy "points"! For 400 points you will pay $5, for 1200 $15, etc. Consequently, 1 point = 1.25 cents.

The lowest purchase you can make is $5. If you buy a song at Microsoft the price of 79 points  (the equivalent of 99 cents),then you leave your $4.01 in the hands of the company for a while. In other words you give them an interest free loan. Now use your imagination and multiply this money N times. It sounds like a very good deal for Microsoft. Therefore, you can be absolutely sure your interests are not the company's priority.

When a computer software company of this scale gets into a phase of "creative spirit" - watch out! Not every novelty is positive. When service evolves and results in complicating your life it is not where evolution should go. Interests of customers should be taken into consideration when drastic changes are made.

The reputation of Microsoft could be expressed in a few words: not customer friendly!
Treating customers unfairly as cash cows drives them into the hands of illegal digital downloads where they most likely tend to remain forever or, at least, until the methods of control over piracy will be found.

MS NEWS