I relocated discussion about the Mathemagic computer tuition software to the OzComments forum because it was getting out of control here.

I haven’t thought much about it for a while, which was partly the intent of shifting it, and I was rather enjoying the quiet.

A concerned user contacted me by email though, to ask my opinion of the software.

I told him I didn’t have an opinion on the actual software, because I hadn’t tried it, but in my view it was much too expensive.

As mentioned previously, I don’t buy the emotive sales pitch: What price do you put on your children’s education.

The first email read:

Hi Michael, I went through the blog on which Mathemagic computer tutor was being discussed. I am a father of a boy who will be attending year 1 next year & thought Mathemagic might help him (without knowing about other products). After visiting your website & going through various products & their features, I am more confused. If we forget money issue (which was discussed in detail on the blog) would you let me know your independent view what product would really be better for Maths development in Kids. What I am after is a quality package, if we forget cost issues for the time being. Thanks for everything.

After my response expressing concern about the price, the author wrote again:

I entered in the contract on last Wednesday (Sept 10th) & today after reading the blog, I have sent mail to sales rep. to cancel the contract. Blog was really an eye opener. I really appreciate your help, as these kind of blogs are perfect platforms for knowing facts & knowing different sides opinions. Surprising thing is, in their contract they talk about cooling of period in their written contract, however, they don’t say the duration. They did not leave any cancellation form behind. In any case, it was a very emotional sales pitch (close to blackmailing I would say) & after sleeping over it for couple of nights & reading your blog I have decided to do a detailed study of various softwares before I decide anything. I am not sure how many more parents who are desperate & who want quick fixes due to hectic life & work schedules gets trapped in these kind of “mouse” traps.

And today:

Believe me these sales reps are too smart for a normal person. Now as I am communicating with different channels for cancellation of contract, I can’t get sales rep. anywhere. I can’t contact her. I have informed about my decision to at least few people in their institute by now though. Why I am writing you again is I would request you to keep the issue on your blog as long as possible, so that other people can not get sucked in, if they google the words “mathemagic” & can get hold of your blog. In spite of it being long it is worth it. For me spending two hours browsing through links provided on the blog were far more crucial than sales person trying to convince me for the software. And the funny thing is, whatever she showed me during presentation, is available on their web site, that clearly says why she is in the middle in the first place.

So despite my reluctance to lead a consumer issues debate, I’m posting here and inviting comments in the OzComments forum.

It’s a concern the sales people are happy to take calls to close a deal, but not to negotiate a refund.

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