Windows 7 Discount Microsoft raises support fees f

Microsoft quietly raised final week its per-incident assistance costs across the board for Windows and Office. Assistance for Windows XP and Windows Vista now costs $59 per incident. Prior to the Vista launch, the per-incident support price for Windows was $39. Vista users get their 1st 90 days of assistance for no charge. Assistance for Workplace XP and Workplace 2007 now goes for $49 per incident,Windows 7 Discount, in contrast to $35 per incident prior to lthe January 30 Windows Vista/Office 2007 retail launch. Workplace 2007 end users also get their very first ninety days of assistance for no cost. A reader tipped me to the alter. When I asked Microsoft for comment,Windows 7 Enterprise, a spokeswoman provided me with all the following statement: "Microsoft has expanded the pricing model for assisted assistance inquiries for consumers across all supported versions of Windows and Office products with all the launch of Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Workplace system. This alter was timed in conjunction with the worldwide launch of Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office system to retail customers." (This is a novel use of "expanded,Microsoft Office Home And Business 2010," I have to say. How about "upped the price"?) Microsoft is attributing the changes to a desire "to provide more personalized assistance options based on customers’ technology usage." These changes are aimed at retail customers. If those customers happen to have volume-licensing contracts with Microsoft, they will receive a set number of free support calls previously these fees kick in. The new fees apply to e-mail support, individual Web-chat support and phone assistance. Microsoft's per-support fees depend on the product,Office 2010 Code/, the spokeswoman said. * General help for personal products, such as Money 2007, remains at US $35 * Operating system support is now US $59 (was $39 previous to). * “Scenario-based help,” such as networking, entertainment, and OS optimization, is now US $79. (Not clear what it was ahead of; I have a query in to Microsoft on this.)Have folks out there used Microsoft's phone,Office Standard 2010 Key, email and/or chat assistance for Windows and Workplace? Was it worth $39 a call? What about $59?