New Zune Pass Coming Oct.3rd

[cfusionpm]

Nope.  Never interested in netflix, gamefly or any other services.  But then again, I like being able to own something for good.  I like being able to pull it out at any random time I think of it and watch it, listen to it, play it, etc.  The ZP tokens helped justify the subscription service.  It was the icing on the cake that without, is just dry sugar bread.

[Minchkin]

US, I have been grandfathered in. But unfortunatly, he may never get the 10 credits again. It's AT&T all over again.

[Unicron Social]

US, I have been grandfathered in. But unfortunatly, he may never get the 10 credits again. It's AT&T all over again.

do you still get 10 credits?

[cfusionpm]

Got a hold of Zune Support chat:

Please wait for an agent to respond. You are currently '1' in the queue.

Privacy Statement
You are now chatting with 'Greg'.

Greg: Hello Matt Spencer, My name is Greg with Microsoft Customer Support and I will be assisting you today. For your records, your service request number is: 1164281414
Please give me a few moments as I review the information you've submitted.

Matt Spencer: ok

Greg: I apologize for any redundant questions, some of your description got cut off.  Have you contacted us previously about that error?

Matt Spencer: I had posted three or four times on the Microsoft Support forums, where several others seemed to have a similar problem

Matt Spencer: there were various solutions posted, but none worked other than creating a second admin account and downloading/installing that way.

Greg: A new Windows profile generates a new registry, it sounds like there were some conflicts with other programs or previous installations with the origonal profile.

Matt Spencer: Yeah, well my primary concern isn't so much with that error (sorry for the long description, by the way), because it's working fine now.

Matt Spencer: The issue I have is with the Zune Pass and how my original subscription plan is no longer available ($14.99/mo with 10 download tokens).

Matt Spencer: The download tokens were the deciding factor in getting a ZP originally, and I've had the account for about three years now. I don't want to renew the subscription at all if the only option is the $9.99 plan with no tokens.

Matt Spencer: Is there any way to just re-activate my old subscription at the original price?

Greg: Sorry, I'm in multiple chats and my responses may be delayed.   The old subscription would have renewed and been automatically grandfathered into the old Music Pass unless you submitted a request to cancel the subscription, or it was canceled for a past due balance.  It sounds like the subscription ended from what your saying.

Greg: At this point the only way to resume the old Music Pass is to locate a Prepaid Zune subscription card at a retailer and redeem that onto your account.

Matt Spencer: I've worked in Service before, so I understand delays; no worries there.

Matt Spencer: But I had to cancel my subscription because a renewal date was coming up (11th of the month), and I wasn't going to pay for a service I couldn't use.

Matt Spencer: I only got the software installed and working today.

Matt Spencer: Prepaid cards? Are those available at retailers like Best Buy or Walmart?

Greg: Yes, you can also try any other big box brick and mortar locations.  I haven't searched online but there may be some websites offering them for sale too.

Matt Spencer: So if I use one of those prepaid cards and then just continue from there, it will be the same continuous plan?

Matt Spencer: One of these?: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Zune+-+1-Month+Zune+Pass+Subscription+Gift+Card/9428149.p?id=1218120547107&skuId=9428149&st=zune pass&cp=1&lp=1

Greg: You'll have to 'renew' the subscription by adding a credit card otherwise it will expire after the prepaid period ends.  I have restricted access to the Internet, but they're available in one month denominations, and should cost exactly the same as the price you were paying.

Matt Spencer: Yeah, that's what it looks like on the site. Also lists the 10 credits per month. That looks to be about perfect!

Matt Spencer: Everything is closed at this hour, but I will head out and try to grab one of those cards tomorrow. That looks like it would do the trick.

Greg: Great, don't forget to renew the subscription and switch to a credit card so you'll renew.  You should be able to do that as soon as you redeem the card.

Matt Spencer: Will do. Thanks quite a bit! I've been a long time fan of the Zune software and media players. I didn't want to have to give that up!

Greg: No problem at all.  Is there anything else I can help you with tonight?

Matt Spencer: Nope, I think that's it. You've been a great help!

Greg: Sure thing, feel free to contact us again if you have any other questions. Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Support and have a great night!
To end your chat session please click the X above the chat window.

[cfusionpm]

Picked up a card and activated the 1 month with 10 credits.  Now to wait a month to see if it auto-renews.

[Unicron Social]

Picked up a card and activated the 1 month with 10 credits.  Now to wait a month to see if it auto-renews.

Congrats, glad you found a card

[Randallflagg]

do you use netflix or rent videos of any type or go to the movies?

Paying for netflix is like paying for cable. I gladly pay $8 a month for tv and movies opposed to the $70 + I was paying for cable. As much as I love good movies, its really a different thing then music. Music is there everywhere, on a road trip, a plane, train, at your desk at work, on your bed stand at home. In your ears at the gym, or when jogging/hiking/walking through a forest. Movies, to me, just don't compare.

Renting music is not an option, the only thing that the Zunepass had going for it was the 10 free songs a month.

[Unicron Social]

do you use netflix or rent videos of any type or go to the movies?

Paying for netflix is like paying for cable.

You are still renting.  Paying for something you can't keep. I don't even have cable

[WillysJeepMan]

do you use netflix or rent videos of any type or go to the movies?

Paying for netflix is like paying for cable. I gladly pay $8 a month for tv and movies opposed to the $70 + I was paying for cable. As much as I love good movies, its really a different thing then music. Music is there everywhere, on a road trip, a plane, train, at your desk at work, on your bed stand at home. In your ears at the gym, or when jogging/hiking/walking through a forest. Movies, to me, just don't compare.

Renting music is not an option, the only thing that the Zunepass had going for it was the 10 free songs a month.

The difference between renting music and renting TV/movies boils down to "replay value".

As my music collection grows, I still listen to music I owned 40 years ago with as much regularity as I listen to music that is 10 yrs old.  I'm sure that I've listened to any particular song a few dozen times (or more). 

In contrast, approx. 50% of the movies/TV I watch will only get viewed once.  40% will be viewed a 2nd time. The rest will get more viewing than that.

It is better to purchase outright those things that have so much reuse/replay (and doesn't wear out).

So for me... I buy my music.  I rent my movies/tv and only buy the 10% that will be viewed repeatedly.

[Randallflagg]

do you use netflix or rent videos of any type or go to the movies?

Paying for netflix is like paying for cable.

You are still renting.  Paying for something you can't keep. I don't even have cable

yes, and I am fine with that. Renting is not a bad thing for everything. For me, renting music is.


+1 what WillysJeepMan said above.

[Unicron Social]

gotcha

[cfusionpm]

Just to update, the card worked fine, gave me 10 credits.  As soon as it ran out, my only options for renew were for the new 9.99/mo plan without tokens, there was no grandfather option available.  Sorry Zune Pass, you just lost my business.