Outraged.

[meltedtoons]

Let me tell you something. When I first bought AS5 back in 2008 I was extreamly happy. Then I bought AS6 Pro. I was again, happy. Then in 2010 July 26, I lost my serial code and I accidently reformatted my PC. At first I asked on the forum. They told me to log in to my smithmicro account. And at the time I was on a vacation. So I replyed, thank you. then, when I arrived home I relized that I forgot my account ID. So I phoned SmithMicro in which they replyed, we have no records of your software being purchased. So I searched EVERYWHERE. I recalled tryed diffrent ways but still. Nothing. Then they convinced ME that I never purchased the software. So I did think that. Until I found my backup CD under my bed. I opened it up and BOOM. A screen shot of the recipt that SMITH MICRO has sent me. How the hell can they explain that? They clearly said, that they had no records.

WTF????

PS: i did recover my serial code.[/img]

[neeters_guy]

When you call any customer service, be prepared with your documentation. Keep a log of your call as well (name of person talked to, dated, resolution, etc.)? I have a binder full of paperwork of software I've purchased and email backups too. Keep good records, it's how the adult world works.

Sorry for the patronizing advice, but I recall that you're a young person so I feel it's appropriate.

Glad you found your CD and serial, but don't miss the learning opportunity here.

[madrobot]

You can register your licence with Smith Micro. I'd encourage you to do so.

[slowtiger]

Although I deeply understand your frustration, all I can say is "it's your own fault".

As well as it's my own fault when I don't record my serials and passwords outside my main machine. Been there, done that, have set up a replacement machine right now and spent most of the time searching for serials, mails, and screenshots, just to get all my precious and expensive software to run again.

- It's a good idea to store installers on your backup drive, it's even better to store a text file with the serial numbers with it.
- You also may write all your serials in a single text file and print that, to keep that sheet with your documents.
- Some programs are easy (like AS), others are a pain in the ass because they store their user settings somewhere deep in the innards of your system. Backup those as well, with notes as where they have to go in case of a new install.

[eok]

...I lost my serial code
...and I accidently reformatted my PC.
... I relized that I forgot my account ID.
... Until I found my backup CD under my bed.

...WTF???? [/img]

Apparently you don't:

- keep records of your software purchases and licenses
- backup your PC
- store your software media in any organized fashion

Yes, WTF?!.

[meltedtoons]

thank you everyone for the feedback! I know that it was my fault. I should have backed it up. But I'm just saying, that if the same thing happened with softwares such as sony vegas, they will just look up my credit card info and resend me my serial code. But in smithmicro they kept on putting me on hold. And said that no record was found and all thoughs other crap. But anyways, I found my old backup CD so everything is good. Thanks for the feedback anyways

[barryem]

There are some simple and nearly automatic ways to protect yourself. When I register software online they always send an email. I keep 2 email accounts, one at Yahoo and one at Hotmail, both paid for so they won't delete them if I'm gone a while, and I store copies of all my receipts on both. I also email myself with information on software I buy in stores.

So, in addition to the records on my computer, always transient, I have 2 backups of the information in the cloud. Both Hotmail and Yahoo would have to lose my information at the same time for me to lose my information, and that's pretty unlikely.

I have more valuable information than just receipts and this I handle other ways, but this way is good enough for receipts. Each account costs $20 a year. I didn't buy them for this reason but I do use them for this.

Barry