Could it be that I wanted to evaluate all of the mind mapping products on the market before deciding which one to go with? Is that not a what many people do before they make any major decision, which to me is what picking a new piece of business software is? Could it be that I did some initial research and came up with a short list of candidates (Freemind, XMind, Mindjet MindManager, Dropmind, and NovaMind)? Could it be that I have now concluded my evaluation and MindJet was not the product for me and I simply tried to exercise my money-back option?
I am not "indignant," I am reporting facts, facts which, IMHO, mean "scam." If other customers who are eligible for refunds and want refunds are ok with having to fill out, swear to, sign, and fax a form to an international number to get that refund, then that's ok (for them). If they are ok with the refund request form saying they must supply a customer number from their invoice and there is no customer number on their invoice, fine. I'm just reporting those facts. Doesn't seem like a good policy to me, but if it's fine with you, fine. But don't get pissy and accusatory with me.
Lastly, nothing has backfired. I will get my refund from them or through MasterCard chargeback. The reason I'm spending my time telling people about this situation is in case anyone finds it relevent in their dealings with MindJet or in how they handle refund policies and procedures, as a previous commenter stated.
MY INITIAL QUESTION TO MINDJET:
I am interested in your mind-mapping software, but it is expensive. Does it come with a money back guarantee?
THEIR REPLY:
When you purchase MindManager in the Mindjet online shop you can cancel your order within 30 days after the purchase.
FOR THE RECORD robotrout's ORIGINAL COMMENT TO WHICH MY ABOVE REPLY IS DIRECTED:
I use Mindjet and have for years. They're not a "scam company". If anybody was scamming, it seems like it was you. Your obvious plan was to get the software, write a bad review of it, and then ask for your money back. You get an article for your blog with no financial impact to your wallet. Now, when that backfired, you're indignant. I have to say, I'm not feeling that sympathetic to your predicament.
Refunds cost time and money to process and are a demoralizing pain in the tail (fwiw, we provide our rarely requested refunds immediately with no hassle and no questions asked) and a purchase with an immediate request for a refund typically screams 'pirate'.
Your opinions seem belligerently set in place, so all I can offer is the Independent Software Developer's Curse: "May you have customers who act just as you do".
Dropmind is my by far personal favorite paid product (I'm on their free trial). And their developers are super nice and helpful (we exchanged a few emails, questions, replies, and screenshots).
Which ones are your guys favorites?