Microsoft Markup

Comprox

So, sitting at work today I found out something interesting. I knew we could buy stuff at a discount working at Staples. I found the direct order from Microsoft page and started browsing. (Canadian funds)

Windows XP Home Full Retail - Regular $299.99. Discounted Price - $64
Windows Xp Pro Full Retail - Regular $449.99. Discounted Price - $96

And so on, VB for under a $100, games for $10, all amazing deals. The main thing that shocks me, is how cheap they are. The markup on this stuff is insane. Its almost worse than the markup on a slurpee <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> I've seen the markup on PC's and such, this just really shows me how much money MS does make off this crap... wow

*EDIT* - To answer all the PM's I am getting, I can only order one copy of anything with my employee ID, and I've used it for both home and pro already, sorry!

Swiftspear

Microsoft makes alot from direct Windows sales, but wouldn't it be staples that is making money from those prices?

Comprox

That's where I am not too sure, if Im just getting a really good deal, or this is the usual price Staples buys them at...

NEO_Phyte

can you hook me up with a copy of XP Pro??

(im getting a new comp soon, and ive got a bit of a tight budget)

NumbersNotFound

It was on Slashdot awhile ago that the profit margins on OfficeXP are around 83%

Monkfish

Wow....thats <b>alot</b> of markup :o

Thansal

*blink*

either Staples will sell it to you at a serious loss or that is over %400 mark up (aka just WRONG)

I assume that they wouldn't sell for a loss, so I tihnk staples (and thus every one else) is ripping us all off.......


/me cries.


oh wait, I just use my dad's old copy of the microsoft dev kit <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

MedHead

I knew of a few people who had the ability to get discounts like these while I was in a community college, but they only had limited amounts. College discounts were good enough for me, usually ending up half off or so.

Gadzuko

Yep, anyone who works for a retailer who sells Microsoft products can get these discounts. I work at Gamestop, and because of the Xbox I can get XP Pro for around $40 American. Good deal.

AllUrHiveRblong2us

GG capitalism.

TychoCelchuuu

If it makes any difference I go the XP Pro upgrade version for something like $10. I know people at Microsoft itself.

Comprox

Please see my edit in the first post for all ye nubs PMing me <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

pardzh

Greedy bastards.

(Chappelle-in-Half-Baked voice)