follow-up with Don Starr

25RAM00 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 09:52 PM

Back in November 2006 Don posted a 180 day extension on the keycode registration for resolution on Win96 and others. He had problems with his system and fell far behind.

The 180 days ends this next week ( if my math is correct ). Has it been resolved?

I personally am one of those still waiting, and have not been monitoring this forum close enough due to time constraints.

A couple of e-mails to Don remain un-answered.

Help is greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

GreatLakes · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 11:35 PM

I'm not sure what the problem is with Don Starr, and his company StarrSoft. I know over a year ago he did make a comment that his day job was keeping him very busy, and as I recall he also had an addition to the family that was also taking up a lot of time.

However, when you run a company, and charge people money for your product, you have a responsibility and an obligation to your customers. Especially if they paid for the product, and did not receive it!

I think StarrSoft is self sustaining, in that if everything goes right, Don doesn't have to interact much, and his system is like an automated cash cow. Most people who place an order with StarrSoft and pay via PayPal have no problems. Deviate from that payment system, or encounter any problems, and you're pretty much on your own. His software just works, plain, and simple. If it doesn't work, there is something wrong on the user end of the equation. However, it wouldn't hurt if he would respond and offer help, or suggestions when needed. But when you're the only game in town, and people want/need what you're selling, I guess you can get away with it...sometimes!

Someone apparently contacted the Better Business Bureau and filed a formal complaint against StarrSoft. Guess what the results was? No response from StarrSoft to the BBB!

http://search.bbb.org/Results.aspx?n...&st=CA&z=95051

Don seems like a nice enough guy. I would suggest writing him a letter stating the facts, and mail it to:

Don Starr
StarrSoft.com
781 Pomeroy Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051

n4voxgill · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 11:46 PM

what he needs to do is only accept paypal and if you lose your key, you must buy another. Last year during the controversy i used paypal and bought a second key just to test the system. it worked perfectly. i don't understand why people think he should keep sending out replacement keys.

GreatLakes · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4voxgill

what he needs to do is only accept paypal and if you lose your key, you must buy another. Last year during the controversy i used paypal and bought a second key just to test the system. it worked perfectly. i don't understand why people think he should keep sending out replacement keys.

I agree, once you're given a key, the responsibility for that key should rest with the consumer. I'm not sure if that was the OP's issue, or if he was one of the people that mailed a payment to StarrSoft, then never received the original key. There was a lot of that going on.

But you're correct, a transaction via PayPal would solve that problem.

jcecklund · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 06:28 AM

Don Starr in my book is a stand up guy, I payed with paypal for win-97 and had the registration key in less than 24 hours, very smooth transaction with paypal, I use them all the time and never had a problem. He answered my emails when I had a question also.

DaveNF2G · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 12:54 PM

I'll jump on the bandwagon here in support of both Starrsoft and Butel. I have bought several products from each company, paid with PayPal every time, and had no problems getting keys or registration info - ever!

n7jei · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 10:24 AM

Thought I'd give a followup too. On May 1, 2007 I requested a Win96 key via the web and paid with paypal. Got the key within SECONDS in my email. No problems at all.

Napalm · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 11:48 AM

Why not set up a googlemail account or something similar. forward the software key to that, or even multiple accounts. Print it off, keep it in a file somewhere.

It's up to YOU to ensure you don't loose the key.

GreatLakes · #9 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n7jei

Thought I'd give a followup too. On May 1, 2007 I requested a Win96 key via the web and paid with paypal. Got the key within SECONDS in my email. No problems at all.

I don't think there has ever been a problem doing it the way you did. That is how I ordered mine as well.

The problem occurs if a customer mails a payment.

ActiveRadio · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 02:40 PM

I have tried to get a replacement key from Mr.Starr for some time now with no
replys to my e-mails. I suffered a hard drive crash and failed to copy the key
down, I have no one to blame but myself for this. Checking his site on 05/01/07
for a status update and found that Mr. Starr had issued YET ANOTHER 180
days for Win** products. My question is how is he going to make money
by giving out keys for 180 days at a whack ????? Eventhough I purchased a
valid key from him I'm starting to feel guilty about using the free keys.
Anyway thank you Mr Starr for the 180 day repreave.
Hope everything is OK and to hear from you soon about my key.

Best regards

Fulton

n4voxgill · #11 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:29 PM

I guess you didn't notice all of the free programs on his website. He has a full time job. these scanner programs just take up his spare time. I'm just glad that he contributes so much to the hobby.

unitcharlie · #12 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4voxgill

... these scanner programs just take up his spare time. I'm just glad that he contributes so much to the hobby.

That is an understatement!

I took the advice of my son who sugested that I put my Win92/95/96 info on one jump drive and my ARC396 info on another... the keys are stored in activated software and then there is a text dile in numerous places witrh the key info for all the software needed... not only do I have the programs and associated files available in pocket wherever I may go (very handy for trading information when on the road), the keys are safely stored elsewhere. I can run the programs from the thumb drives with no problems...

902 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatLakes

(snip)Someone apparently contacted the Better Business Bureau and filed a formal complaint against StarrSoft. Guess what the results was? No response from StarrSoft to the BBB!

I'll bet they're proud of themselves. The only thing that will do is drive another one-person hobby-oriented business out of business. Then we'll have nothing. Period.

If he provided any replacement key in the past, it was likely not his obligation to do so.

I've used Mr. Starr's products with great satisfaction. Even though I don't know him personally, I empathize with him. I used to run a small sole-proprietor radio repair business. It wasn't busy enough to hire employees, but sometimes too busy to keep up with and sometimes not busy enough. Similar demands vs. commitments made me take the business down. I never made any profit, it was all pretty much just helping out some volunteer squads who couldn't afford to take their equipment to $95/ hr. repair shops (I charged $65/ hr, but worked in 15 minute increments and didn't charge for travel time, where the big shops charged a minimum of 1 hr, plus travel at the time). Why did I charge something? Because free advice is worth as much as it costs, and I had to recoup for materials and the costs of maintaining an inventory of parts. Who suffered when I stopped? Not me. If he stops, he'll probably sleep better at night, too.

My free advice to the original commentor is that if he or she had use of Win96 for a reasonable amount of time to just PayPal for another key, which is apparently an automated process. After all, Mr. Starr didn't lose the key.