I am a convert

Niall · Mar 08, 2008, 15:51:40

I used to use AVG until today. Rather than post the novel here, I'll link you to my blog:

http://my-digital-styles.co.uk/?p=24

Long story short is AVG doesn't work anymore. Kaspersky does, and for £12. Now all I have to do is fight AVG to get my money back.

Rik · Mar 08, 2008, 15:53:59

I'm a NOD fan myself, same reason - it does the job, the support is quick if you need it (and there's a good forum too).

I'm curious, was I describing IDNet or NOD?

Niall · Mar 08, 2008, 15:57:40

In all honesty I would have bought NOD32 today without a seconds thought, but the price was too high as I've just bought a new game, and paid all my bills. Next month I might still get it, but as I've spotted the entire X Files box set for £60, I may be buying that instead

Oh, and on an unrelated note, my sisters other half phoned me before to tell me that IDnet went live today and he's getting 7mb downloads as opposed to his old 2mb

Rik · Mar 08, 2008, 15:58:59

I don't suffer from that temptation.

Sebby · Mar 08, 2008, 16:14:28

I'm exactly like you, Niall. I used AVG for years and then I started having trouble with it, so I bought Kaspersky as it was a bargain and highly recommend. It's absolutely fantastic!

bob_s · Mar 09, 2008, 09:40:36

I'll stick to avast for the anti virus and comodo for the firewall.

They seem to work for me

But always nice to know what others are using

Lance · Mar 09, 2008, 12:02:46

Another NOD recommendation from me - I got a 50% student discount making it a bargin!

Rik · Mar 09, 2008, 12:04:19

Half a student with every copy? Do I get to pick the students.

Lance · Mar 09, 2008, 12:08:24

Only if I get to pick the half!

Rik · Mar 09, 2008, 12:10:56

It could be an interesting partnership, mate.

Niall · Mar 10, 2008, 22:25:50

Still no reply from AVG. Why they brag about their support when it takes them 2-4 days to reply to an email, is beyond me.

I would really like my money back, as entitled within the 10 days of purchase. Gits.

Niall · Mar 11, 2008, 17:33:48

QuoteDear Niall, We regret that our product did not meet your needs and satisfaction. As you have purchased your AVG license renewal through our partner,kindly contact them in order to process the refund for you as soon as possible

That's funny, I used their website. Apparently their own website is a "partner". They don't tell me how I'm supposed to contact this mysterious partner that hides within their own website, or give me a phone number to call. All they give me was this email with their own details on it, the bunch of useless b******s.

The phone number for THEIR office, obviously is only manned during the EXACT time of day I cannot contact them.

I swear, I'm NEVER using this bunch of cowboys again.

On further investigation by "partners" they are actually referring to the UK based AVG. I'm glad they were clear about that

Why do they have their technical support based in the US when I'm a UK customer, and then send out unhelpful emails like this?

Rik · Mar 11, 2008, 17:36:51

It's a shame when people start giving you the runaround. If there's no contact email address on the site, try webmaster@, that should get a response.

Niall · Mar 11, 2008, 17:38:48

Added an edit. Still not happy that I had to do this digging around though.

Rik · Mar 11, 2008, 17:40:35

I can understand that. ESET were much more forthcoming, I found.

Niall · Mar 11, 2008, 17:45:07

How hard would it have been, from a customer service point of view, to pass on my request for the refund? Baring in mind it's the same company. I don't care if it's the US and UK sites/stores/company. At the end of the day, they owe me money and it should be sorted immediately. Now I'm going to have to wait 4 more days for another email, probably asking me for information they already have.

VERY poor customer service if you ask me.

Rik · Mar 11, 2008, 17:47:14

It's a quick way to lose customers, Niall, they must realise that people exchange information in forums like this these days.

Lance · Mar 11, 2008, 17:49:57

When I first contacted ESET customer services, about getting a student discount, I had a reply in under 20 minutes.

Rik · Mar 11, 2008, 17:56:36

Same here when I wanted to consolidate my licences, Lance.

Danni · Mar 16, 2008, 20:52:56

You people actually pay for antivirus protection? You must be rich

Danni, who doesn't need it.

Rik · Mar 16, 2008, 20:53:38

Not rich, Danni, just cautious.

Sebby · Mar 16, 2008, 21:30:23

Quote from: Danni on Mar 16, 2008, 20:52:56
You people actually pay for antivirus protection? You must be rich

Danni, who doesn't need it.

Nothing is going to make me permanently to Linux. I've tried it before, and I just can't get on with it. So, if that means paying for antivirus, then so be it.

JB · Mar 17, 2008, 08:34:36

Quote from: Sebby on Mar 16, 2008, 21:30:23
So, if that means paying for antivirus, then so be it.

Hi Sebby,

I use Linux, but for certain tasks. There are many programs I run that are only available for Windows, so I run XP as well.

For my Windows machines I use the free version of Avast Home and in 3 years have never had a problem with it. It doesn't hog resources and is updated very frequently. Sometime I think too often.

You do need to register but it is free and hasn't attracted any spam to the email address I used.

HTH.

JB.

zimmerframe · Mar 17, 2008, 12:17:38

I've been using the free version of Avast for about 18 months too without any problems. Prior to that, I used an Enterprise version of McCafee from my work place. This was very good, until it went awry. It was an absolute pig to get it off my machine and it never went back on.

Fire wall wise, I rely on my hardware router to do its stuff.

Danni · Mar 17, 2008, 19:17:51

I use Avast on my Windows partitions. I'm getting rid of the one on my desktop (Matilda) as I realised I hadn't used it for more than 3 months, and only keep Vista on my laptop (Annika) to keep the people at Currys happy.

Never had any problems with Avast, and it's easy enough to use.

Sebby · Mar 17, 2008, 19:19:31

I tried Avast, but I preferred AVG. But now I use Kaspersky anyway.

Niall · Mar 17, 2008, 23:43:19

I've stuck Avast on my mums PC, and I'm pondering what to use on my laptop. I might try Avast on that so I can have a good nose at it.

Sebby · Mar 17, 2008, 23:49:02

It did seem like a pretty good package when I gave it a try, certainly more advanced in terms of functionality than AVG. I just found it a bit overpowering for some reason.

Niall · Mar 17, 2008, 23:56:57

Well, considering the new AVG version 8 cripples your system, in a way that is very similar to Norton (but 100 times worse), I'll just stick to anything other than AVG.

Incidentally I've had an email back from AVG saying they'll refund my money, but will send an email when they've processed the refund. That probably means I'll not see the money until at least next month if their current track record is anything to go by. It's been four days since they told me that, and baring in mind it takes 3 working days to process a bank transfer, plus it's a bank holiday weekend I don't hold out much hope of seeing the cash anytime soon (which I could really use as I'm skint!).

Sebby · Mar 18, 2008, 00:04:10

Ah, I had no idea version 8 had been released. That's a shame; AVG was once a lightweight and very decent free antivirus.

I hope you get the refund sorted soon.

dudwell · Mar 18, 2008, 17:18:45

I've been using the free version of AVG for ages. It updates automatically most days. Program version 7.5.519.

It seems OK to me and I've never had any virus problem so far as I'm aware but perhaps I'm hopelessly out of touch?

Rik · Mar 18, 2008, 17:30:42

You'd probably know if you had.

Malc · Mar 18, 2008, 17:34:22

Every time I refresh it says theres a new post in here, but theres not?

Malc · Mar 18, 2008, 17:35:20

Ignore that, gone now. Strange

Rik · Mar 18, 2008, 17:36:36

It can happen if someone edits a post, Malc.

Malc · Mar 18, 2008, 17:41:26

Good point

Niall · Mar 22, 2008, 10:18:22

Nine days later and still no email to confirm a refund.

I have now threatened them with legal action if they don't immediately refund my payment.

Sebby · Mar 22, 2008, 10:38:22

Did you pay on a credit card? If so, your credit card company is always an option, and a good one at that.

Rik · Mar 22, 2008, 10:44:11

Only if the transaction is >£100.

Sebby · Mar 22, 2008, 10:50:35

I wasn't aware of that...

Rik · Mar 22, 2008, 10:51:56

The CC company may take an interest on smaller transactions, but their liabilities under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 are limited to transactions of £100 or more.

Simon · Mar 22, 2008, 14:40:46

I've made claims for amounts much lower than that, for lost DVDs, Rik. With both Virgin and Halifax cards, I got refunds both times. I think the +£100 thing might be because they don't want millions of people putting in for small claims, but it's certainly worth a try.

Rik · Mar 22, 2008, 15:43:08

It does no harm to ask, but their legal liability is limited by the Act.

Niall · Mar 23, 2008, 00:50:38

I next to never use a credit card, unless it's absolutely necessary. I generally stick with a Maestro card. Much less interest on debit card

Sebby · Mar 23, 2008, 01:08:54

There's no interest on a credit card if you pay off in full each month, plus there's a whole host of other benefits.

madasahatter · Mar 23, 2008, 06:57:50

The problem is Sebby, that for some peeps a credit card is just a way to get things now, and worry about paying for it later, which can lead to major debt. I do have a credit card, but very rarely use it. Luckily it's one from the building society where my current account is held, so I don't think they are likely to do an Egg on me.

Rik · Mar 23, 2008, 09:14:22

If you're buying online, a credit card is by far the best method as most give internet 'promises' of fraudulent use, which does not happen with debit cards.

Sebby · Mar 23, 2008, 10:20:07

Quote from: madasahatter on Mar 23, 2008, 06:57:50
The problem is Sebby, that for some peeps a credit card is just a way to get things now, and worry about paying for it later, which can lead to major debt. I do have a credit card, but very rarely use it. Luckily it's one from the building society where my current account is held, so I don't think they are likely to do an Egg on me.

You're quite right. A lot of it is about discipline, but I appreciate that it's easier to say if you don't have finance troubles.

Niall · Mar 23, 2008, 13:53:41

Quote from: Sebby on Mar 23, 2008, 01:08:54
There's no interest on a credit card if you pay off in full each month, plus there's a whole host of other benefits.

That's something I can't do with all my outgoings at the moment. I'm stuck in the pay £50, get £20 in charges loop, so I pay hardly anything a month.

A Civil servants pay is pathetic