REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 10, 1999 — The Microsoft® OEM System Builder Program is offering a new benefit with membership: the MSN TM System Builder End User Rebate. Through this offer, a white-box system builder can offer $400 end-user rebate coupons to its customers. Customers qualify for the rebate when they purchase a new, custom-built PC and subscribe to the MSN network of Internet services for a three-year period. After being available for only two weeks, this exciting new benefit of the System Builder Program has been taken advantage of by approximately 1,000 system builders.
The MSN System Builder End User Rebate is delivered through the Microsoft OEM System Builder Web site ( http://www.microsoft.com/oem/ ) to system builders that redeem online a multipack certificate included in each OEM five-pack of the Windows® 98 operating system. After redeeming the certificate, system builders have access to a Web page where they can download the MSN System Builder End User Rebate coupon for distribution with their custom-built PCs. Authorized Microsoft OEM distributors through which interested system builders can take advantage of the offer can also be founded at the System Builder site. The rebate offer lasts through March 31, 2000.*
“The response to the MSN End User Rebate offer from our system builders has been overwhelmingly positive,”
said Michael Schwab, director of purchasing, D & H Distributing Company Inc.
“We deliver various promotions to system builders throughout the year, but it’s clear that system builders are viewing this rebate as a particularly significant opportunity to present new value to long-standing clients, as well as bring in new business.”
System builders that redeem three or more Windows 98 multipack certificates are eligible for, in addition to the MSN System Builder End User Rebate, an MSN Marketing Kit, which includes direct-mail promotional postcards, fax fliers, ready-to-send e-mail documents, Web banners, an MSN promotional poster, an MSN reference guide and promotional MSN tear-off sheets. These materials supplement the wealth of marketing, sales and technical resources available to system builders through the Microsoft OEM System Builder Program. More information about the program is available at the Microsoft OEM System Builder Web site.
“We work closely with system builders of all sizes to best understand what kind of support from Microsoft provides the most value to their business,”
said George Peckham, marketing manager for the OEM System Builder Program at Microsoft.
“Their feedback indicates that they benefit from integrated packages of savings they can deliver directly to customers, coupled with ready-for-use marketing collateral they can use to immediately generate customer awareness and demand for the promotion. This is exactly the kind of package we are delivering with the new MSN rebate offering.”
The Microsoft OEM System Builder Program is a free membership program designed to provide system builders with easy access to information and resources for building, distributing and supporting PC solutions that include preinstalled Microsoft products – one PC at a time.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
*The MSN System Builder End User Rebate Promotion requires: (1) the purchase of a computer from an authorized system builder between Nov. 1, 1999, and March 31, 2000, and completion of all necessary paperwork by the customer, and receipt of the same by MSN, prior to April 30, 2000; (2) selection of a new account with either a 36-month membership to MSN Internet Access ($400 rebate), 24-month membership ($225 rebate), or 12-month membership ($100 rebate) at the rate of $21.95 per month plus applicable taxes; (3) mail-in or online signup (as applicable) prior to April 30, 2000; (4) a valid major credit card of the type generally accepted by MSN; (5) the original purchase receipt or a copy of the receipts signed by your retailer; and (6) acceptance of the MSN Internet Access member agreement. You are not obligated to continue as a MSN Internet Access member for any particular length of time; however, if for any reason whatsoever you do not continue for the period of time associated with the purchase credit that you have elected to receive, you agree that you will repay MSN the amount of the purchase credit immediately upon termination or cancellation of your MSN Internet Access account. The MSN System Builder End User Rebate Promotion is available only to residents of the 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia. You must be 18 years old or older to qualify for the MSN Instant Purchase Assistance Program. MSN Internet Access is available in connection with the MSN System Builder End User Rebate Promotion only to users of the Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition operating system. MSN Internet Access is available only for personal noncommercial use. Local phone and/or long-distance toll charges may apply. It is the customer’s responsibility to check with a local phone company to determine if access numbers are local. Local market network activity and capacity may affect access availability.
Microsoft, MSN and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries/regions.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
