Let’s look at my situation. I found the site pretty early on last year. I spent a ton of hours on the site earning points from the various “games” on the site. Why? I was tempted to grab the brass ring and claim my own X-Box 360 that was being dangled as the top prize.

After a while, it became obvious that reaching the point level (at the time) to get the X-Box 360 was impossible. The games maxed out before you could reach the necessary point level for the prize.

I did, however, have enough points accred to get the Zune. So, despite being a loyal iPod user, I decided I would upgrade my mp3 player by going to the Zune.

My order was placed on July 20th of last year. I recieved the confirmation that it would be shipped out, but to expect up to a 12 -week wait. As you had indicated, I’ve been with other point-redemption programs in the past as well, so I wasn’t too surprised by this fact.

And so, I waited patiently.

And three months went by (October) … and I still had recieved nothing. So, I did what I thought I could, and sent an e-mail on the subject. I was told at that time that the Zunes were backordered, and that it would ship out as soon as it became available again.

I never got word back from Microsoft again until this April, when I was told that the Zunes were back in stock and would be shipping out within three weeks… and so, I waited.

Three weeks later (May 21), I still had not recieved anything, so I contacted them again. this time, the response was that they were investigating the issue, and would respond back “in a few days.”

A week later (June 5th), I had not heard a response, so I contacted them again. This time the response was that they would be shipping out the Zune within two weeks… and so, I waited.

I still had not heard anything (yet again), so I contacted them (again) on the 20th. the response I got back today is that the Zunes are backordered with no estimated shipping date.

Frankly, I find the whole process extremely disturbing. I’ve been patient. I did nothing against the rules. To see their blatant lack of customer support is disheartening. After all, Microsoft has certainly faced plenty negative attacks based on the software over the past year or so. One would assume that the company would be trying to do what they can to to repair relationships with the customer base… not alienate users even further.

I hate to think that I would have to bring the Better Business Bureau into this situation, but when it’s been almost a year since I had ordered the Zune, Microsoft’s response has been unacceptable.

The last I checked, Live Search Club is owned by Microsoft. The last I checked, the Zune was made by Microsoft. The last time I checked, the Zunes are available in retail stores worldwide.

Maybe I’m wrong, but if Microsoft is making one of their products available for purchase, shouldn’t it also follow suit that the Zunes should be available for their own promotional usage?

I’m a long-time iPod user, and I’m more than willing to switch over to the Zune. A good friend just bought one, and he swears by it. It’s just hard to get really excited about going to the product when I’ve been through this for so long now.