Buy Office 2007, get 2010 free? Microsoft posts, pulls deal
Microsoft has accidentally posted details about a promotion it will be running for those who buy Office 2007 a few months before and after the release of Office 2010 in June 2010. It is called the “Microsoft Office 2010 …
Context & Ripple Effects
Microsoft had already outlined new ways to try and buy Office 2010 and then reset the suite's SKU lineup and pricing ahead of its June release. The briefly published offer adds an upgrade bridge for customers buying the outgoing Office 2007 edition during the transition.
First-order effects
- Eligible Office 2007 buyers gain a route to Office 2010 without paying twice for closely timed releases.
- Microsoft must clarify the promotion's eligibility and timing after removing the prematurely posted details.
Second-order effects
- The offer reduces the incentive for buyers who need Office before June to postpone a purchase until Office 2010 is on sale, helping Microsoft manage the handoff between versions.
Third-order effects
- If Microsoft repeats launch-window upgrade offers, Office releases will rely more on upgrade guarantees alongside SKU pricing to preserve demand through version transitions.
The trend: Microsoft is pairing Office product transitions with segmented pricing, trials and upgrade offers to reduce friction around a major release.