Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Ultimate Steal - MS Office 2007 (and now 2010) Cheap for College Students

I wrote in my previous post about a free alternative to Microsoft Office 2007. But if you really want MS Office, and you're a college student, then Microsoft has a pretty good deal (actually, a fantastic deal), which they call "The Ultimate Steal." If you have a .edu email address from your college, and are taking at least .5 credits, then you can get it for only $60! And it's the ultimate version, too, not the student version.

Check out the deal here, and here's some more info from Microsoft (if you're concerned about it being legitimate). I'm not a huge fan of the new Office, but for only $60, that's a nice deal.

August 2008 Update: Microsoft had stopped offering "The Ultimate Steal" for the summer, but they're now offering it again for the 2008-2009 school year...so check it out if you're interested.

2010 Update: Some of you might be thinking about waiting to purchase "The Ultimate Steal" until the new 2010 version comes out. Well, turns out that if you purchase and install Microsoft Office 2007 between now and September 30, 2010, you'll get Office 2010 free when it comes out. Nice! Check here for more info, or go to the Ulimate Steal site to get your copy.

2010 Update #2: Now that Office 2010 is out, Microsoft has changed the deal a little bit. The cost is now $80 (still an great deal), and now they're calling it "Office Professional Academic 2010".

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know how much of a great deal this truly it. I have been arguing and email them to mail me my backup CD for the past three month. Since they do not post any telephone contact number, all I can do is email, which I have been doing for the last 3 months. So be weary of this as I am sure I am not the only one this has/is happening to!!

Anonymous said...

Don't ever expect your cd, apparently they're not set up for it, just burn your own. Why'd you pay for it anyway when you can easily and cheaply burn your own???

Anonymous said...

Go to http://gc.digitalriver.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=wmp_phy&id=ProductDetailsPage&productID=81594400 and order the physical CDs. You'll have to front $12.95, but be patient...

After the CD arrives, contact digital river at 877.568.7058 or 952.253.1234 and tell them you're calling about Office 2007. They'll transfer you to their Microsoft department. Ask to speak with a supervisor. Do not try and e-mail them--you'll waste time. Once you have a supervisor, demand a refund.

Now, you've got a physical copy of the software, a license key provided when you first purchased it, and the vindication that you beat that money-hungry bastard, Joel Ronning. Best of all, it only costs 12.95 and about an hour of your time.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the phone number Anonymous. I've been trying to get The Ultimate Steal since December. They except my email address and say that a link to their store will be sent to my email address. I never receive that link, nor do I ever receive a response from customer service. Now I can call them. Anyone else have this problem?

Stephanie said...

I just left a large comment BEFORE I was warned to sign up for an account here first. Nothing comes easy, does it?
I ordered The Ultimate Steal Dec 29, 2007. I've never received this CD yet, nearly 60 days later even though I've sent them 4 e-mails. They reply of course but the reply is the same thing each time.. blah blah blah, we'll send you a CD, expect it in 4-6 weeks. I even demanded the phone number of Mr Joel himself, his e-mail address and his business address. Naturally, that part of my e-mail didnt get a response. I'm glad I found a phone number on this blog to contact these people. I'm going to try it as soon as Im done here, though I suspect I still wont get anywhere with this.To answer someones question about why order it for 12.00 when you can burn it for free yourself...not everyone knows how to do this sort of thing, college student or not. I'm one of those people. I'm sure I could figure it out, but frankly, I didnt feel like taking some of my very limited time to learn. I appreciate your blog here and hope everyone gets somewhere with their own issues with this scam. If you have any other advice, I'd love to hear from you. My e-mail is stefxo04@aol.com. (xo are letters, 04 are numbers). I know, not the greatest user ID. Thanks again, Stef

Anonymous said...

THANK AARON
I DIDN'T RECEIVE MY CD SINCE JANUARY 30, 2008. I NEEDED A PHONE NUMBER AND YOU HELP ME ENORMOUSLY. THANKS AGAIN.
SD

Anonymous said...

I am going to purchase the ultimate steal however can I get the cd the same time I purchase ultimate steal? and will the cd actually come?

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I was able to get the number off this site. I am having the same problems as everyone else. I ordered the CD and on my credit card, there was only a charge for the download. I called and they said that once the CD is shipped, it will charge my card. It has only been a week so I am not as bad off as I thought. Thanks again for the number, never would have found it otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Pure amazement when I actually did receive the disk. Only after numerous emails to them cursing them out and telling them I was going to the better business bureau. Try that if you don't get a response!

Anonymous said...

I have a similar story, I ordered the software back in December with the back up CD because I wanted a physical copy incase the download didn't work, I was not very trusting with good reason, I tried to download it a number of times with no success, so I waited for my CD, and waited and waited, I e-mailed them and they blamed me, they said it was in a white envelope so I might have thrown it away thinking it was junk mail, isn't that great blame the customer, real nice, so I demanded a refund and they said I could purchase it again, how nice of them to offer, fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. This place is a joke and I am going to submit a claim to the BBB, and tell everyone I know not to get this, instead just download it illegally, it's cheaper and faster that way, plus you don't have to deal with these idiots. They did get one thing right, this is the Ultimate "STEAL"

Anonymous said...

you guys are all crazy... I ordered the CD for a back up and DL'd right away. DL started first time and went quick. The CD showed up in the mail a week later.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the phone number!!! I had no trouble with the download, but i purchased the backup cd with it in April and have been sending emails for the past two months trying to find my CD. I finally spoke with someone today and they are supposed to be sending me the CDs again- here's hoping!

As far as us all being crazy -- it's seems more accurate that you were very lucky!

Anonymous said...

I, too, had no problem with any of the Ultimate Steal. Bought the download and DVD at the end of April, but didn't get the DVD until late May or early June. The download worked fine, though, and on the first time.

I emailed them several times with specific questions and always got a timely, accurate response.

I've had no problems with any portion of the process. It's been a great find, great deal, and great software.

Anonymous said...

How do you burn the Ultimate Steal and how do you let them know you want the CD version as well? When I ordered this last spring, 2008, I did not see any way to order a CD. What I did keep on my desktop was the file itself, which required the product key (which I had lost in my haste - the download did not work properly). Any suggestions who to contact at Microsoft if Digital River doesn't come through?

Bob Hanks
bobhanks@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

How do you burn the Ultimate Steal and how do you let them know you want the CD version as well? When I ordered this last spring, 2008, I did not see any way to order a CD. What I did keep on my desktop was the file itself, which required the product key (which I had lost in my haste - the download did not work properly). Any suggestions who to contact at Microsoft if Digital River doesn't come through?

Bob Hanks
bobhanks@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

The Ultimate Steal is a great promotion that students (and teachers) should definitely take advantage of if they are able to. The full suite of software, which includes essentials like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is just $59.95 -- you just need a ".edu" address to benefit from this Steal.

To purchase, the link is www.theultimatesteal.com

If you need help, try https://store.digitalriver.com/DRHM/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayHelpPage&SiteID=msshus&Locale=en_US&Env=BASE

or http://support.microsoft.com/

Anonymous said...

The Ultimate Steal is a big fraud!! Don't spend your money! The program will not install on your computer! It will freeze at the same point each time you try. Then, when you get in touch with Digital RIver, they will say that they do honor refunds! They will send you to microsoft. I allowed microsoft to access my computer and assist in the download. Guess what? They couldn't do it either. Why? Because the file is incomplete!! If you need this program for school, work or just because you want it, go to Office Max, Circuit City or Staples. You will only end up $59.95 poorer if you purchase from Digital River! Please trust me!

Anonymous said...

The Ultimate Steal really is a great deal for students who need to use MS Office for their studies. I am a higher education faculty with many years of information technology experience. To the person who could not install it on their computer I suggest checking your computer's configuration and be sure you are using a valid version of Windows or Vista. I've recommended this to many students and even installed this on a number of computers for students and the download and installation has worked every time. One of my students even received their back-up disk as ordered although I also recommend copying your download to a CD and writing the key code on the CD. This way you have a backup that you can re-install if necessary and they key code won't be lost. A little patience goes a long way.

psv said...

HELP
I recieved the email with the key BUT, it will not let me purchase it at the website. Have tried all weekend! Not sure what to do. Thanks

Collegestudent420 said...

I can't believe this is happening to all of you aswell, I actually ordered "The Ultimate Steal - MS Office 2007" cheap college student thing for my college computers class online. I ordered it on September 2, 2008...and didn't even get a confirmation e-mail until Sep. 27th...I could have dropped the course but I used the computers on campus which was a very big hassle, that is why I took it as an ONLINE course! I might as well gone to campus classes. Well, I figured I would never see it and it never showed up on my bank account so I forgot about it until today.. when I saw my confirmation e-mail! Thanks for the number because there getting an earfull!!

Anonymous said...

I purchased the DVD and it came a little over a week later. The problem is that they said that they would send an email with an activation key. I never got that email but I did get a survey email a few days later that thanked me for ordering it.

Anonymous said...

Wow- I thought it was just me. I bought a BRAND NEW HP Touchsmart
TX2 and it arrived on December 29th 2008. I purchased Office Ultimate 2007 and immediately the charge showed up on my card. I tried my purchase key with no luck. Then I looked up the order and to this day it does not exist in their database!!! I talked to their support and they gave me links to download a copy and the computer froze and crashed immediately after downloading was complete. The computer never turned on again. I sent the entire order back to HP and have been sent from dept. to dept. cursing out tech support people who don't speak English very well for the last 2 days. This was the last straw- as soon as I get the money back from my computer I'm getting a Macbook Pro!

Anonymous said...

I've had the same problem with my order... I emailed and emailed... finally recieved it today!!!!

I sent them a message saying that I will contact my credit card and have the bill changed and then contact the better business beurau... seemed to work.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the number! I had e-mailed several times with them asking me first if I entered my address correctly then after a second e-mail they told me they would re-ship it. This was last november. Anyway, I called the number and the guy from India asked me if I had checked e-mail?! When I finally got the supervisor and he said he would re-send it. If it does not come I will report them and keep calling until something is done!

Anonymous said...

Same here, never received the CDs despite paying. I wonder if that is why they call it the ultimate "steal".

Anonymous said...

I downloaded the software without any problems and received the backup CDs within a week.

Anonymous said...

I downloaded the package tonight with no issues, burned my own back-up DVD's, and everything works perfectly. Quick, easy, unbelievably low price!

Expect the 1st download to take a good 23 minutes on broadband, and the second about 10 minutes. Recommend just letting it run and don't work on other web pages or applications at the same time.

These are very large files, make sure your system, connection and connection speed are up to par for the job.

Pittsburgh, PA

Anonymous said...

This is a damn scam! I just bought it and it saying downloading “failed”. I’ve tried everything and then decided to enter the code they gave into my trial version and guess what the code is incorrect! WTF! I need my damn money back. I need to contact this damn company but they are not showing no contact info. If I knew this I wouldn't ever spend my damn money on this! I am so upset, I am about to get "Jelp me Howard" This is bull s#@t! How do I get their damn email?

Anonymous said...

My download went very smoothly and I was very happy with the program until I checked my bank account. I was charged 73.86 on thursday, 59.95 on friday and 13.91 on monday when my total should have only been 73.86. I found the phone number on this website and called, was put on hold forever and just talked to a rep who barely speaks english, making it very hard for us to understand each other. As I write this, I am on hold for the second time since actually reaching the rep.

Anonymous said...

the number given stays busy... The Microsoft Office won't accept the product key code. I tried to go to their website and was denied access to the download stating I had to download product within 30 days... Don't purchase this product it's a BIG scam!
Boy am I PISSED!

Anonymous said...

My download failed! I found 3 phone numbers for this place but each one is always busy!! Imagine that! I don't suppose that I will get my backup disc! Feeling totally screwed by "The Ultimate Steal." Guess it was named that for a good reason! Hope a bird poops on everyone that works there!

Anonymous said...

My download worked and I order the backup cd and got it. Everything has been fine I did this in spring of 2008. Now I have had my computer re-built and went to use the cd to install the software - guess what the cd won't work and I do not have the 25 digit product key. As it was emailed to me a year and 1/2 ago and when they sent me the cd it's not on there. Just a note to refer to my email. I don't keep emails from a year and 1/2 ago and now I've paid for the product and the backup cd and can't use it. I'm very angry!!!! They Suck!!!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to add my two-cents. I ordered this back in September of '08. I was able to download it just fine, it worked on my computer just fine too. However, I never saved the download file and when I upgraded my computer to Windows 7 recently, I lost the programs. However, I called customer service, and they extended the download availability for me and resent me the verification email. It downloaded just fine and I was able to reinstall everything just fine. So, not all of our experiences have been bad. Just my two-cents.

Anonymous said...

I am having nothing but problems with this. Everything downloaded fine, but it won't install. All I get is a message that says installation failed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Unknown said...

Like Teri, downloading seemed to be no issue. But I can't seem to get it to install. I double-click on the icon, as per instructions, and a window pops up stating that publisher cannot be found, and I click on Run. Then the program has to close. Please help. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I have contemplated the great deal and if I want to order it or not. From what I am reading ONE person has had a positive experience with Digital River. Thanks for the number.

Anonymous said...

I also ordered both MS Office and Windows 7, received the email a few minutes later and downloaded the software and received the backup CDs several weeks later. For those who say they did not receive the email, perhaps, if you haven't checked, look in your Spam Mail or other type inbox as sometimes your virus protection software of email program may put the email in that location. If that's not the case, I'm not sure what to say but can say I've had nothing but positive experiences.

christine said...

hey, not sure what happened with you guys, maybe they fixed any issue because I downloaded both windows 7 and microsoft office ultimate to take advantage of the college discount and both worked. I burned a copy of the software to a dvd myself, why pay money?? they also send you a confirmation of your payment and included in there is your key code so as long as you dont delete the one email (put it in a seperate folder if you must) then your fine.

Bob M. said...

I had to redo my hard drive and didn't order a disc or back up my ultimate steal MS Office deal. I didn't even have the email with the product key because it was over a year ago. I called Digital River at the number posted by someone here. There are 2 numbers and one of them was answered right away and they looked up my order by my .edu email I had originaly used. They gave my the product code and a site i could download it from also. Also, they told me i was allowed to load this with the product code they give you 3 times which i was unaware of. 3 PC's at this price! I have to say after reading all the negative comments here I had a great experience and the call took maybe 4 minutes of my time with the Digital River representative.

Anonymous said...

I downloaded Windows 7 and Office 2007 with no problems from the site last night. I didn't order the CD's. I just took the advice of others and save the download to my desktop and then to a DVD in case I need it in the future for a reinstall (along with the registered key). This is not a scam it is legit. They must be having some mailing issues if you all are getting the backup disks, but as far as the downloads they installed fine.

Anonymous said...

Hello, I purchased it today (Feb, 1st) I bought all options (Download, Back-up CD, and Extened downloading). So I paid around $79.00. After downloading into my hard drive, I burned the file into my blank DVD. During the download, I didn't encounter any problem. The download was smooth. After buring it to DVD, I uninstalled previous Office XP version. Then I rebooted system. And I installed it.
But I encountered ERROR during installing. It says "Internal ERROR 2203." So installing was stopped. I tried one more, but still the same error issued. So, I re-installed my Office XP, and attampted to upgrade it by Ultimate 2007 version. However, the same error occurred.
So, Finally, I tried to install it not by Upgrade but by leaving previous version (working side by side). To do so I clicked CUSTOM button. I just installed without entering my product Key. Supprisingly, IT WORKS!!. After finishing the installation, I entered my product Key, and got an Activation through the Internet.

So, If someone met an error like me, try what I had done.

"Believe in Jesus because you don't know your AFTER-LIFE."

Anonymous said...

I have been waiting for my backup dvd of office 2007 since October of last year. I have emailed back and forth, and Digital River has sent me TWO different shipping confirmation emails (sans tracking numbers).

I finally broke down and called that number above. They apologized and told me that they are having "warehouse problems" and that my order never actually shipped. I asked, "why then did you guys send me shipping confirmations? I guess those were lies." She responded, "uh-huh."

I said I wanted it shipped to me with a tracking number or else I wanted a refund. She assured me I would get a tracking number in 24-48 hours and she would expedite my order. We will see...

Lesson: the deal is mostly legit, but don't rely on the backup dvd.

Anonymous said...

Two years later and Digital River has the same issues with shipping out CDs. I had been given now 3 separate shipment dates, 2 of which were lies because when I called them first time, the rep told me that they were out of stock. The latest date shipment date is 3/4/10. Since it takes USPS only 2 days to ship from MN to LV, if I don't get my CD by 3/8/10, I am going to call may bank and dispute DR*I transactions as fraud.

Anonymous said...

Same situation as in the post "September 30, 2009 10:42 PM". I expected everything I need to reinstall (that is: the product key as well) on the backup cd, but no product key there and I have no confirmation email anymore!!! The customer service emailed back that they can t find my order. No wonder, it s over a year ago. I m very annoyed.

Matthew Wietzke said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Steven James said...

Its really great content for ultimate steal ms office 2007.