This is the main reaon why we have CUSTOM INSTALLERS. We go to training, we waste many man hours learning and teaching our staff.Stop buying electronics on EBAY.

Who the hell are you? And all the rest of you?
Tiger got screwed if he cannot get the software, period.
This is not some 5 year old discontinued piece of "junk" as you call it. It is a brand new released remote. If this guy got his hands on it, he knew damn well.
If you ask me, he got what he (the seller) deserved.
Now, If Tiger can't program it to it's max. potential, then that is another story. But many CI's won't give you a totally custom remote for a basic programming fee and wait on you hand and foot to fix bugs and changes, so user software is almost mandatory especially to those who know how to use it.
The seller knew damn well and he didn't say squat!

Who the hell am I??

I just do not agree that the big bad e-bay seller needs to be lynched. He sold what is in the box, there are a million other listings that are no different.

All this fuss over someone that managed to do a little research here before jumping in and buying a remote for cheap on e-bay.
Maybe if he, or all you others that want to give advice would do a little more research you would have found this.

[Link: universalremote.com]

The URC web site has a link that allows you to input the serial number and place of purchase, which will allow you to download the software. I am sure because it was an e-bay purchase he might have to jump through a few more hoops, or maybe someone here will PM tiger their dealer name that he could put it under.

It's not complicated, although the programming of this remote might end up that way.

OH yea,
bretsalyer, the real question should be who the heck are you????
No info in your profile, so you are not likely to be someone in this business.

... for pretty much every URC remote BUT the MX-980.

the fact is that the OP didnt do his homework before making this purchase. anyone who does some research on this remote would ASK about the software before making the purchase. its eBay and that means buyer beware. later.

True but you have to feel sorry for anyone getting this remote without software. Kind of like buying a computer without the OS, but at least in that case you can buy the OS almost anywhere. I have seen this remote sold on ebay and most sellers just cut/paste the description from URC’s web page. Even after looking at URC’s web page it is hard to tell the software does not come with the remote. I could see how many people might read about this remote and have no idea the software does not come with the retail box. I was lucky and read about the remote on these forums before making my purchase and choose to use a dealer that others have had great service from. At the same time I could see how someone might read about this on URC’s web page and just assume it would have the software with it. I would understand if the remote did not come with batteries or something that the end user could actually purchase from someone, but this remote is useless without the software. Chad

^^^^ i just dont agree. URC's site clearly states that this remote, along with others, are Professional Remotes to be sold by and programmed by CIs. its as clear as day.

heck, i dont think they provide the software, IN BOX, for any of their remotes. it comes from the dealer. my 810 came with a burned CDR that contained the software and this was from an authorized dealer.

later.

Well this is taken from the "Professional" Section:

"Consumers and End-Users Seeking Software
Please contact your place of purchase to obtain programming support, software and manuals. If your dealer is unable to help you, you may download the appropriate programming software here.Note: that you will be required to register your serial number and place of purchase."

I am just saying that I can see how someone might not understand that they can not download the 980 software off the web page. If they stand firm on those remotes being only "Professional Install" it seems funny that they have the consumer/end user clause.
Chad

The seller is just an ebay dropoff station. I don't believe the seller had any knowledge of the product to where he'd even be able to think about software.

Unfortunately, it's all on the buyer at this point. He didn't do his homework.

(1) I am not using a fake name.
(2) All I was saying is it is ironic you would support this unauthorized seller who provides absolutely no support or options to the customer after the sale and then wants to blackball you if you return a product.
That's not how I would want to be treated.

Peace.

Bret

Never said you were using a fake name, just playing on the rather harsh words you used to start your post.

I have said it a couple of times, if the seller was decent he would have accepted the return, maybe with a small penalty to cover his costs. I would have under the circumstances. But then I generally only sell electronic type items, and because I'm in this business I have a pretty good understanding of what I am selling.

My point is that there is always another side to look at everything from, and that is the fact that the seller did nothing wrong. He like 100's of other e-bayers is not a ligit source for the products they are selling, and I don't believe he tried to pass himself off as one either. Someome else just pointed out that he might have been one of those e-bay drop off centers. So all they do is sell what is in the box. Everyday on e-bay 1000's of people send 100's even 1000's of dollars to strangers for items soley based on a picture and description. Most consumers either know what they want, or have done their homework before bidding. tiger started to do his homework, but I think he may have jumped the gun.
In the end, getting all upset and mad at the seller I don't believe is warranted, and as a warning to tiger, I was mearly mentioning that it is possible the seller isn't going to let this go with ease.

Peace back at you.. :)

Pat

Ok, my two cents on this issue: I think the whole mess is URC's fault for not monitoring and fighting to have their products removed from eBay listings. Net-Net.

The products are not supposed to be sold on ebay...period. URC contends their products are for professional installers yet on March 12th, when I did a survey, there were over 160 URC remotes for sale on ebay. A few ebay sellers offered 50 units in their ads.

This is a slap in the face to custom installers everywhere. If you are going to support custom installers, then you support them, come hell or high water. Allowing ebay sales is just totally against the professional installer dealer program. Eventually, if URC allows this to continue, more custom installers will simply stop buying URC products.

So, you get what you get when you deal with ebay.

That's ridiculous. URC would have to create a new department to deal with eBay offenders. Which remotes do they have removed? Just the 980? Or how about a used 980? Does that come off, too? I'm not even sure URC would have a legal basis to demand that their products be removed. As long as the seller came by them honestly, URC cannot dictate how the seller disposes of their property. URC dealers agree not to sell on eBay, there's not much more URC could conceivably do. They could only revoke the dealer license. Besides, that's why they implemented the software policy - to slow down sellers who undercut CI margins.


Give me a break. If you're finding it difficult to participate in the market, you may need to change your strategy. Custom installers are facing the same challenge that many industries are facing: consumers now turn to the internet to obtain goods for cheaper. Protectionism is probably not going to solve the problem. See: the music industry; the US steel industry; the US auto industry; etc.

And besides, these remotes simply aren't accessible to most consumers. A majority have no idea how to program this remote, nor could they differentiate discrete IR from their butt. That is why consumers who will use this remote, by in large, will get it from a CI. CI's need to stop whining about the changing marketplace and learn to offer consumers something they need (like programming services, for example). I doubt that stopping the sale of URC remotes on eBay is going to push more consumers your way... Probably just to Harmony. CI's need to stick to what they are good at and keep installing custom systems. Custom home theaters are bigger than ever. Why are you complaining?


Obviously. People go to eBay to obtain cheap goods. Most with the understanding that using eBay means you have a more difficult time with customer service. But do you really think the majority of eBayer's are going to pay you 200-300% more for the same thing?

It would be that simple. I would bet URC has a record of what serial numbers went to what dealers. All they need to do is buy one from a big ebay seller and match the serial number to who they sold it to and revoke their dealer status. Do that a couple of times and it will fix 90% of the problem.

They can't do much about end-users selling used remotes on ebay.