Replacement CDs

[Chris in U.K.]

The conversation began with me saying 'Rachel, have you still got the MSOffice CDs?' and went through her saying 'Well, Chris, they were under that pile of stuff yesterday I think' and 4 hours later someone else who works in her office sidled up to me and said 'I found those CDs for you, they were under her desk'.
When I calmed down, I got to thinking, is there a good reason (apart from the good ol' profit motive)why MS and others shouldn't let you trade in a physically damaged CD for a new one, for a reasonable handling charge? After all, what you pay for in the first place is the right to use the software - the CD itself costs pennies.
Just a thought!
Chris.

[HAL9000]

I have done exactly that. Back in late 1995, I bought a used copy of Win95 Upgrade from a guy, it came on something like a dozen diskettes complete with the serial number and manual. When I went to install it, the disks were registered in his name, not to mention the upgrade with diskettes takes forever. Being rather new to computers, I didn't know how to change the registered name, so I contacted the Microsoft location here in Canada to find out if I could get a replacement copy. They asked for the ID numbers from the disks and the ID number from the manual to confirm they were a matched legit set and said no problem, they would send me a new set of diskettes for $9.95 (cost of the disks + shipping and handling). So then I requested that I get the CD instead of the diskettes, the charge was $14.95. Sure, it was more than the CD was worth, but I had picked up the used upgrade for $25, then a replacement CD for 15 totalling 40 bucks, but that was a third of what the CD was selling for new in stores.

[Chris in U.K.]

I'm impressed, HAL, I'll bear that in mind. As it happens, the CDs in question still work.
Chris.