Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed!
Posted in Microsoft, Technology by The Editor | Tags: annoyance, ballmer, freebie, Microsoft, party, promotion, seven, signature, Technology, ultimate, windows
Scratch what I said before, today I just received Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (for FREE!).
This post could be interpreted as an ode to the fantastic customer service you can receive from Microsoft. Actually scratch that, this post IS an ode to the fantastic customer service you can receive from Microsoft.
You can stop rubbing your eyes, it’s true.
About two weeks ago I happened upon a news item stating Microsoft were to celebrate the launch of Windows 7 worldwide by offering potential customers the opportunity to host their own Windows 7 launch parties. For your troubles (and assuming you were successful in being selected to host a launch party) you would receive a whole host of goodies in your ‘party pack’.
The official line was a mixed bag but was satisfactory although ultimately disappointing. I was not expecting to be graciously offered a USA Party Pack for gratis though!
Thinking this to be a great idea, and a great chance to grab a copy of Windows 7, I hastily made my way to the application website eager to submit my details in the hopes of making the cut to host a party. Unfortunately, living on an island the size of a pea doesn’t fall under the radar of countries eligible to participate in the promotion.
I was livid, every other region of the world was being represented here except for the Caribbean. Finding this to be a touch xenophobic I made a concerted effort to contact various folk at Microsoft (thanks The Consumerist!) to express my opinion and frustration. What happened next I could never have expected.
I received a reply via email the very next day.
A very courteous email arrived explaining reasons why the Caribbean region was not covered in the promotion. The official line was a mixed bag but was satisfactory although ultimately disappointing. I was not expecting to be graciously offered a USA Party Pack for gratis though! I submitted my delivery details as requested and sure enough today I received a giant box from Microsoft the contents of which you can see in my unboxing pictures below.
The goodies are actually very nice, especially the Windows 7 tote bags, perfect for the Cayman Islands for the beach! Also included were Windows 7 branded napkins, a puzzle pack; the pieces come together to form a wallpaper image from Windows 7. There was also a pack of Windows 7 playing cards, a colour poster and of course the piece de resistance, a FULL copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (Steve Ballmer Signature Edition). What I was not expecting though was the Anytime Upgrade to Ultimate Signature 64 bit edition. A nice bonus!
I feel very fortunate to have been offered the free party pack, but I hope also that the words I sent to Microsoft may make them reconsider their promotional strategy next time round. People do live in the Caribbean too you know!
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Can’t Wait for Your Windows 7 House Party? ~ Revelations From An Unwashed Brain says:
[...] for free though. We told him “pics or it didn’t happen” and he pointed us to his blog. Since we haven’t gotten our own Windows 7 Party Pack yet, we can’t compare for [...]
El primer pack de las Windows 7 Launch Party ya tiene dueño | Actualidad en Lineup says:
[...] una Windows 7 Launch Party. En este caso se trata de una persona procedente de las Islas Caimán, quien recibió una caja con todos los premios que se ven en la foto de arriba.La fiesta tiene que haber sido muy buena, ya [...]
vm-01 says:
Nice story. Reminds of all the problems I have with my xbox live subscription. I can’t buy points from the Dominican Republic and I can’t purchase have the stuff. Now I can’t even watch free podcasts like girls gone geek.
I hope one day they start acting like a global brand.
Kmon says:
That’s funny! When you said “living on an island the size of a pea doesn’t fall under the radar of countries eligible to participate in the promotion” I immediately thought to myself – “Yah, I’d never get anything in the Cayman Islands either!” But lo and belold you live in the Cayman Islands! Good job buddy! Nothing pisses me off more than not even finding the Cayman Islands in a list of countries (I’m looking at you PlayStation Network!).
You Get The . Info » Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands – 6166th Edition says:
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBy Darren Murph [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands « My Blog - Just another WordPress weblog says:
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
Wargle says:
Can you please tell me if there was a x64 version of the dvd also inside. I just got my DHL tracking mail today and was hoping this was going to be 64 bit edition rather than a 32 bit version
Drew says:
I got an email today at around 3pm Seattle time stating that my “Party Pack” has shipped and it provided a UPS tracking number!! Whooohoo!! Free Swaggggg!
Who's hosting a Windows 7 Launch Party? - Windows 7 Center Forums says:
[...] has one, even though they aren't throwing a party…..interesting article. Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! Is fhearr fheuchainn na bhith san duil (It's better to try than to [...]
Host your own Win 7 launch parties supported by MS - Page 9 - TechEnclave says:
[...] Re: Host your own Win 7 launch parties supported by MS these are what the contents are like Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! [...]
Davide Fortunato says:
Hello,
Im anwindows7 organizer in Italy,It’s sure that i will received the Windows 7 house party pack?
Windows 7 House Party Finalists, where are you? - Page 12 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net says:
[...] is a link for the Pictures http://www.stuffiwrote.co.uk/2009/09…-pack-unboxed/ __________________ http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/550151.png http://www.smcomputers.ca [...]
Brad from Bone In The Fan says:
Just got my tracking number Friday – scheduled delivery on Wednesday. Thanks for the unboxing – I’ve been wondering what to expect….probably more psyched than I should be.
Windows 7 Steve Ballmer’s Edition says:
[...] Original story in sutffiwrote [...]
Nova says:
I Had received the pack too~~
You can see the unbox in my blog:
http://www.xn--ghqy73e.com/2009/10/windows-7-party-pack.html
Nova says:
BTW, I would like to ask that: DO the signature edition of Windows only can be install in ONE computer?
Windows 7 Steve Ballmer Edition | UniversoTech says:
[...] que a primeira aparição do kit na internet, foi do site Stuff I Wrote, que inclusive não faz parte dos 12 países participantes. O editor alega que enviou um comunicado [...]
Eric Ochoa says:
I was impressed with your efforts until i read that you actually have zero intention of using this party pack promotion for what its true intention is. To hose a launch party! Kudos to you for crying until you go something free though.
Russ D says:
Nice! Iam looking forward to my own party pack as well
I am hosting a mac vs Win7 party myself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqUi1xlvDkI
I borrowed one of your pics for my blog btw.
Windows 7 boxes in the wild « IKnowRusty.com says:
[...] thousands that are hosting house parties for the release of Windows 7. You can see a full unboxing here. (I am still waiting on my party pack to [...]
Phil says:
Yes it comes with 32 and 64 bit disc, also found a few already being sold on ebay
Who Here Grabbed Windows 7? - Page 21 - x10Hosting Community says:
[...] Who Here Grabbed Windows 7? The party packs have started to arrive… http://www.stuffiwrote.co.uk/2009/09…-pack-unboxed/ [...]
Mike Hansen says:
You are lucky – My country are not on the list too.
But my english are not good enough to write a complaint to Steve Ballmer.
Windows 7 Retail boxes « Windows 7 « Not Just Windows 7 says:
[...] at: stuffiwrote.co.uk Share and [...]
Tim D says:
Just curious, I am also in an area excluded by this “Party” Can you email me the contact info you found from microsoft that is realted to the offer? Thanks- Tim D-
Windows7 says:
Hello all,
How can I apply as a host to Party Pack program ?
Thanks
mtarm1 says:
where do i get steve ballimers emial address?
i have had heaps o issues with houseparty.com after applying to be a host and have been accepted and then rejected several times… i want to have a bitch too
thanks
mtarm1
Navjot Singh says:
I too received the party pack but there were no playing cards in it.
Elmer Elly says:
Well i just received my Windows 7 party pack this afternoon.. well i live in INDIA > GOA
I’ll post some pics later…
& some guyz hd asked whether this Win 7 copy which we get in this Party box..can be installed more than once on a computer …ya well its true it can be installed coz Microsoft Clearly states a statement sayin
“Don’t Lose This Product Key !
You must use it every time u install this software.
Be sure to store this Product Key in a safe place.”
Elmer Elly says:
Here are the pictures of my unboxing…. do comment if u wish…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43299826@N07/sets/72157622535324884/
Elmer Elly says:
This are the Windows 7 party pack unboxing pictures in a
Slide Show..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43299826@N07/sets/72157622535324884/show/with/3990172698/
keshav says:
hey buddies please just tell me wat is tracking number…….
annom. says:
its steveballimer@microsoft.com
uk image host says:
any updates???