Here is the ridiculous discussion I had with the Adobe Sales Representative last year, when I needed to have .pdf editing software.* I had tried calling the 800 number but could not get through the answering-machine “tree” to find a live person. So I tried the live-chat function on the Adobe website. The chat is edited to make it shorter and eliminate some unnecessary “filler,” but is otherwise an accurate transcript that I copied and pasted when I finished chatting with the Adobe rep, because of its sheer absurdity. I wanted to be able to look back and laugh. And often, I do.
*Note that I subsequently purchased “Cute PDF” software, which was only $49 and works great (much better for my uses than the far-more-expensive Adobe software, which we have at my new job).
Chat Transcript (I tried not to be snarky. I think I was mostly successful.):
Thank you for contacting Adobe Sales. My name is Priscilla. How may I help you today?
Priscilla: May I have your first name please?
LM: LegalMist
Priscilla: Hi LegalMist.
LM: I am interested in buying Adobe Acrobat. However, I looked it up online and it does not list compatibility with MS Vista operating system. Will it work with Vista?
Priscilla: Acrobat XI Pro is not compatible with Windows Vista.
LM: Acrobat X was compatible with it. Is that one still available and supported?
Priscilla: I am sorry, Acrobat X is the older version software, hence it is not available for purchase.
LM: The computer is only 5 years old. Can you let me download Acrobat X for free? Or is there some "fix" for Acrobat XI to make it compatible with Vista?
Priscilla: I am sorry, since Acrobat X is an older version software, it is not available for download. You need to upgrade your operating system.
LM: But my operating system is fine and works great for everything else I do. So why would I pay a bunch of money to "upgrade" it when it doesn't need to be upgraded, other than for your program? Why is Acrobat not compatible with Vista? What problems or issues will arise if I just download it?
Priscilla: I am sorry, since Vista is an older version OS it is not compatible with all the new software.
LM: But Acrobat XI is compatible with XP, which is even older than Vista.
Priscilla: I am sorry for that.
LM: Will you give a discount on Acrobat XI equivalent to the amount I have to pay to "upgrade" my OS so I can buy it? Also, do you know what problems or issues will arise if I just try to download it anyway?
Priscilla: Just to confirm, do you have any older version of Acrobat?
LM: No, all I have is the Adobe reader. But I find myself needing some of the capabilities of Acrobat.
Priscilla: Could you tell me the tasks that you wish to accomplish using this software so we can get you the right product?
LM: I want to be able to scan documents into my computer and assemble them along with other computer-created documents and then make the whole thing into a PDF/A file so it can be filed with the Court. Also, I'd like to be able to use the redaction feature and the "bates-stamp" / page numbering feature.
Priscilla: Are you interested in working with images or creating flyers or logos?
LM: No. I have no interest in creating logos or designs or flyers. Just legal documents. I'd also like to be able to edit .pdf's
Priscilla: Based on the tasks performed by you, I recommend that you purchase Creative Cloud subscription, as you will get all the Adobe software and also you will get Acrobat XI Pro.
LM: Is Creative Cloud compatible with Vista?
Priscilla: I understand your concern, however I can get you Creative Cloud single App for $19.99 per month only. You can install the application on 2 systems. Either both Mac’s or Windows or 1 on Mac and the other one on Windows.
LM: Does it work with Vista, though?
Priscilla: With single App, you will get Acroabat XI pro with all the upgrades and updates for free.
LM: But does it work with Vista?
Priscilla: I am sorry, it is not compatible with Vista.
LM: Well, then it does me no good. I have Vista, remember?
LM: Let's go back to my prior question: Can I buy Acrobat XI with a discount in the price to reflect the cost of "upgrading" my OS (even though I don't need to upgrade other than to use your program).
Priscilla: I am sorry,we do not have any discounts available.
LM: So there is nothing you can do to help me, then?
Priscilla: With single App, you will get the software at a low monthly cost of $19.99 per month only. This is the best option available to purchase the software.
LM: But you told me that single App is not compatible with Vista, so I don't care about it being the "best option" for purchasing the software; it won't work with my computer. Ok, well can you at least answer my other prior unanswered question, which is, what problems or issues will arise if I try to install it even though it is incompatible with Vista.
Priscilla: I am sorry, Acrrobat XI Pro as individual product or with Cloud, it is not compatible with Vista.
LM: You said that already, but you still have not answered my question, which is: What problems or issues will it cause if I attempt to install it?
Priscilla: You will not be able to install the software on Vista.
LM: So it simply won't install?
Priscilla: Yes, you are correct.
LM: Priscilla, you have finally answered all my questions. I have to say I am not impressed, though. You tried several times to sell me the "single App" despite knowing that I have Vista, and only later told me that it was incompatible with Vista. What good would it do me to buy it? I can't use it, apparently! I guess I simply cannot purchase your products and will have to look elsewhere.
Priscilla: I am sorry, however Acroabat XI Pro is not compatible with Vista.
Priscilla: I wish I could help you with that.
********
Seriously, I cannot believe how hard she tried to sell me a product that she knew full well I cannot use.
My advice? Buy “Cute PDF.” It works great, is less expensive than acrobat, and as far as I can tell, it is compatible with just about every OS (although I don’t use Apple computers, so I can’t vouch for that one). And avoid Adobe chat. They are useless. Worse than useless, a total waste of time.
Monday, December 1, 2014
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4 comments:
Stay on script, Priscilla, stay on script.
Not sure if they are still around, but a few years ago, when I needed some basic PDF editing / assembling at home, (I work at "Big Law S", so had the tools at work, but didn't want to cross the streams and leave some metadata on the PDF.) I used InFix. It worked fine for free. It does watermark their pages, but it was easy enough to get the full license. Here's my post on it: LINK
Holy moly, that's a lot like chatting with anyone on Snapfish. Last year I about had a stroke trying to find out from them if the 120 Christmas cards I was ordering were going to look blurry or not since they looked really out of focus in the review page (but nowhere else). I didn't want to buy 120 useless cards! I tried chatting with three different people and they wouldn't answer my one question, they just kept apologizing and suggesting I buy calendars as well as cards, etc. Grrrrr. I finally gave up and decided I must have been chatting with robots. No human beings would be so thick, right? Right? One can hope anyway.
On the plus side, I was beyond delighted what I chatted with Sony regarding a malfunctioning camera and "Julio" was able to answer all my questions and walk me through the repair without a single problem in about five minutes flat. AWESOME! :-)
Oi! Priscilla! How do you sleep at night?
Love,
Janie
OMG is this post compatible with Vista? I feel your pain. :(
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