Retailers would not have liked selling a year of Microsoft 365 then seeing Microsoft get all the renewal income for the later years. The advantages for both parties are clear. Obviously, we don’t know what happened between Microsoft and the retailers. The top result for Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) at Best Buy in the USA is an ‘Auto Renew’ product that’s not been available before.Īmazon US – Microsoft 365 Family with ‘1-year plan’ aka automatic renewal.Īt least customers can cancel Amazon’s automatic renewal from the ‘Digital Software Subscription Asset Manager’ part of their Amazon account. Just as good to buy direct from Microsoft, you’ll pay the same with the minor advantage of being able to deal direct if there’s a problem. Since the retailers are charging full price, there’s no good reason to buy from them. are likely to charge more than necessary. Almost any ongoing charge like insurance, subscriptions, phone plans etc. It’s not just Microsoft 365 renewals that are a trap. Most people just blindly follow the default options offered without considering alternatives. The really sad thing is that this trick will work. In effect, Microsoft is allowing large retailers to become partners in very profitable Microsoft 365 renewals. It’s the same high price trick that Microsoft uses, except the retailer manages the renewal and presumably gets a cut. The renewal is at full price charged by the retailer, giving them an incentive to sell ongoing Microsoft 365 plans. Until early 2019 all renewals were done by Microsoft. Larger retailers sell automatic renewals to Microsoft 365. Instead retailers sign you up for automatic renewals at full price - more profit for Microsoft and the retailer – not great for customers. Microsoft now makes that harder by blocking discount purchases of single Microsoft 365 Home or Personal plans. Just buy another year of Microsoft 365 retail and use the product key to top up your existing plan.

The lower Microsoft 365 prices were from retailers who regularly undercut Microsoft’s prices by 20% and more.įor just as long, Office Watch has explained how easy it is to continue paying less for renewals.

Amazon and Best Buy now offer Microsoft 365 renewals charging full price for the first and later years.Įver since Microsoft 365/Office 365 plans started, Microsoft has enticed people with low prices in the first year then automatic full price renewals in later years. With help from major retailers, Microsoft has new ways to make people pay more for Microsoft 365 Family (Home) or Personal.

Best buy microsoft office software