Is it worth it to try to save a few dollars? Internet searches are probably not your best bet for buying software...

Often times people write and say, "XYZ site LOOKS legitimate..." Just because an item looks like something, it doesn't mean it is. If you are a business, remember that Volume Licensing (such as Microsoft Open Business or Open Value) costs LESS than Retail Boxed software. Those discounts are intentional and are specifically designed to be lower cost than Retail Boxed software. If you see a "great deal" that you happened to stumble across for Retail Boxed software, ask yourself, "How can they be selling a consumer product for a lower cost than a Volume discount product?" If something looks too good to be true, it probably is...

Don't believe me? Ask this guy's clients who thought "it looks legitimate..." They spent their money to buy the software and now own NOTHING! Don't be fooled by con artists. Find a knowledgable Microsoft Licensing Partner to help you save money by taking advantage of the Volume Licensing savings you qualify for as a Small Business (Yes, Volume License programs, such as Microsoft Open Business and Open Value, are available to companies with as few as 2 PCs!)

Here are some other resources to help you understand the differences between Retail Box and Volume Licensing:

- Video: "What is the difference between OEM, Retail Box, and Volume Licensing software? Which is right for me?"

- Get Office For Less!- Side by side comparison chart showing OEM vs. Retail Box vs. Volume Licensing for Office Pro 2003

- Open Vs. Retail Print Version - A PDF showing the differences between buying many Microsoft software products through Retail box vs. Volume Licensing

- Office Rights - A PDF showing the dramatic difference in usage rights between Microsoft Office OEM, Microsoft Office OEM with Software Assurance added within 90 days, and Microsoft Office through Volume Licensing

- Why Open Value? A collection of side-by-side comparisons of Open Value vs. Open Business for various products showing the additional benefits of choosing Open Value for:
- Office Professional
- Office Small Business Edition
- Office Standard
- Small Business Server Standard
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Server 2003 Standard

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman
Microsoft US Senior Manager
Small Business Community Engagement
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights