"Previously, perhaps about a year ago I purchased a couple of programs from Software Outlet, and they came within a couple of weeks, and everything seemed fine. For over a year I would get an advertisement from them periodically. Lately it was almost every day.

I needed to update my firewall and they are always offering about 5 of the most popular ones for $15 to about $30, and lately they have been offering lots of stuff besides software. One item I recognized was a superbright LED flashlight that I had bought from Harbor Freight for a few dollars, and really liked it. So I thought I would buy several of these for presents, and ordered 15 of them. After a few weeks they did not arrive, and I started trying to check on what happened.

Other people I order stuff from let you know that they have shipped the order. these guys did not. I found that they would not answer inquiries at their sales site. I also sent several emails with no responce. I found a telephone number, and wasted long distance money to find out that they would only answer this line within a two hour window weekdays. I made my scedule accomodate that and wasted more long distance money to get a recording offering two differnt people to email depending what part of the year my complaint was (how strange). I used the email address, but did not get a response. Then I called and waited to talk to get a message that there was no one to talk to but I could wait to record a message. I waited, on long distance, and got a recording that informed me the tape was full and hung up. A week later I tried one more email to an address from their web site, and surprise got a response which said that the MacAfee package I had ordered was not in stock, but was going to be available any day, and would ship instantly then. A couple more weeks and no shipment. I inquired again and they responded! (surprize) Now the flashlights were sold out, and no more could be gotten, but the software was being shipped the next day.

I have never gotten anything but excuses from these people this time around. Perhaps they are on their way somewhere with my money, and they have just stalled as many people as they can until they are finally shut down. At best they have some interal problems, and a shortage of people to deal with them. Anyway something reeks with Software Outlet's business practices. I'm out about $90 with nothing to show but promises unfulfilled.

If you are either smart enough or lucky enough to be reading this I would suggest that you save yourself the frustration of buying from Software Outlet, or join in the rest of us who should start a class action lawsuit against them, and at least make sure they do not profit from this, I am still hoping that they somehow got tangled up and will eventually make things right, but it does not look good right now, and in any event I have really been jacked around way more than the couple of bucks I was going to save. "

"...just to add to the growing list of customers Softwareoutlet, apparently, is well on its way to cheating of their funds. As some others have found, for me presently (and back a ways: my order was in May of this year, 2007, and as I write this, this is october:

--is not answering emails
--is not answering their phone, except by a recorded message
--is not their "chat" line which currently assures the client that a representative will be available very shortly, within approximately five to ten minutes.
--the recorded message on at their phone number says words to the following effect: Ifyou are having a problem with an order placed in July or earlier, please email such and such person. if you are having a problem with an order placed after July, please email other such and such person." But why bother? ifthey want to comeclean, it'd seem they can answer "something" of their already existing avenues, like the mentioned Chat, or Phone, or regular emails.
oh yeah--on their website is also a message that emails to "****@****" will NOT be answered. Come again? Well, i've found they aren't answering their other listed email either, so no surprise i guess.
as to their third and fouth emails listed, i figure, why bother to try them/ Such a principle exists, saying , 'don't throw good money after bad."
People, I guess it should be obvious by now,what--judging by their current record-- maybe can be expected if dealing with this company.
..just wanted to add to the mounting evidence,for the sake of anyone yet unaware here...
"

"These people will take your money and never deliver the product. I filed a complaint with the District Attorney of Orange County, California. I then received a refund check and a letter stating that they tried to refund via PayPal but was unable to do it that way.

I did try PayPal for getting my money back first but they could not help me but I believe that they cut Softwareoutlet off. Yes, SWO has been dropped by PayPal.

Softwareoutlet.com is a division of Software International L.P. and the principal's name is Ricardo Esqueda. I do not believe that the original owners are operating the company even though they try to make you believe that.

Many unhappy customers so avoid them. Why California does not shut them down is a mystery."

"I purchased MS Office in April 07 and my CC was charged within a few days. I still have never received my software and have not had any response to the numerous emails and phone calls to the company. They are a scam and should be closed down. They are stealing good money from hard working people. I don't know how these fraudsters can sleep at night!"

"I am very dissatified with the service from this seller. I have tried numerous times to call with no answer and have sent several emails of which none have been answered."

"My experience is similar to everyone else’s. I ordered online after receiving one of their emails, they charged my PayPal account immediately and then nothing. They do not answer their phone, the “live chat now” function does not work and they have not responded to emails. I filed a complaint with PayPal, who ruled in my favor but said there was nothing they could do to get my money back. I have now filed a complaint with the Orange County District Attorneys Consumer Protection Unit. The disturbing thing is that I continue to receive their sales emails looking for more victims. They have got to be stopped. It's not like they are in Nigeria, they are right in Santa Ana, CA.

Here is the link to the OC DA CPU;
http://www.orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=117"

"These guys suck!Their practices are deceptive! They bill your credit card
first, then they never deliver! They don't answer their phones, or email.
They've also scammed many, many others. How do I know? Just do a search on the
internet in regards to their domain name, and the complaints are all over!

I've got a surprise for them though...I contacted the California Attorney General, plus the BBB in their area! Just wait till I launch my new website: softwareoutletsucks.com!"

"I've read several of the reviews and can olny say "dito" Imediate payment from my account, imediate back order, 6 weeks pass etc.
time for FTC my lawyer or both.
DO NOT SHOP HERE!"

"Do not buy from this company under any conditions!

Even last year, they were OK, but but no more.

They charged my card immediately but did not ship any merchandise. They didn't answer any of my numerous phone calls and emails.

I think their only activity now is 1) sending out ads, and; 2) charging credit cards. They no longer bother to actually ship merchandise or provide any form of customer support.
"

"I ordered PS E 5 from Software Outlet June 5, 2007 and my bank account was immediately charged. A few days later I received an email stating it was back ordered. After a week I began emailing them, and never received a response. I've also called their included phone number only to be disconnected without speaking with anyone. After searching the web, I've found numerous sites complaining about their lack of service, and not sending merchandise. I've now sent an email to ****@**** informing him I'm contacting my bank to demand credit. "

"I found out the hard way that this store is a professionally designed phishing site. Their attention to detail inspires confidence and gives the impression of a legitimate company. You are tricked into placing a software order, disclosing your credit card information, address etc., upon which your credit card is charged immediately. This is followed by the dreaded 'your item is on backorder' email. This is the last you'll hear from them. The customer service numbers are not connected and e-mails don't work. If you have been victimized, consider notifying your credit card issuer, BBB and also Google, Yahoo and MSN to get them delisted.
PS: I now ordered my software from Purplus.net based on the positive feedback from a previous reviewer and received my item in no time for a great price..."

"Too bad I didn't find this rating site sooner. I placed an order for Office XP Pro, they charged my credit card the same day, sent an email saying the order was backordered for "a few days". A month later - no sign of product and no one is answering emails or phones at softwareoutlet.com. I will never again do business with them - I believe they are a scam!"

"One day after placing my order for WordPerfect Office OEM version and another, inexpensive, software item I received an e-mail saying that one item was temporarily out of stock and would be available again in several days. Software Outlet also said that they do not make partial shipments. On July 2, over a month later, I tried to contact them by telephone and found none of their extensions were answering. Today the telephone rang many times and finally a recorded message told me their number wasn't answering (duh) and to try again later,
I have lodged a complaint directly to S.O. and through PayPal, which I used to make the original payment. So far, nothing heard.

It's a no-brainer. Avoid Softwareoutlet.com.
"

"At the end of May I ordered MS Money fron this dealer and on 4 June I received a "BACKORDER" Notice. It stated that the shipment "This should only be for a couple of days." as you can se today is 19 June and I can not contact them. I've emailed customer service twice and call the 800 number listed more that three times none of whitch I spoke to anyone. Not even a "press one" etc. Nada-- zip-- nothing. I will neve order from this dealer again. recommend you do likewise."

"SoftwareOutlet sucks.....Monday it started...I thought I'd ordered twice...Many calls, two emails & 2 day pass with no response....then I read a post on another website...and following their suggestion, I got a notice of funds credited to my account. The post said to ignore all the phone numbers (they all empty to a general mailbox anyway), as well as the emails listed on the sist....Just address correspondance to ****@**** ...I wrote Albert, and told him that because a couple hundred dollars were in play, I didn't have times for goose chases, and that I'd already filed a complaint with the BBB....If no swift action was taken immediately, I would contact the FTC, and any other organization/agency that might want to look into his business practices....I got my notice of credit to my card within hours. On a side note, trying to find something close to what SO offered, I stumbled across Purplus.net...similar to SO, but allied with Yahoo Shopping....I ordered late last night, got immediate order confirmation, and was just informed that it has been shipped out (orders over $50 qualify for free shipping)....I don't work for them, nor am I getting compensated in any way other than excellent customer service...check them out..."