My company store's policy

If you are interested in purchasing discounted software from my company's store through me, read this.

Q: May I purchase software for my neighbor if he or she reimburses me the amount I paid for software at the Company Store?

A: Yes—as long as it is for the neighbor's personal use, is within your annual Company Store software-purchase limit, and you receive in exchange no more than the amount that you paid at the Company Store for the software or hardware. No—if the recipient intends to use the software for business purposes or for resale, or if the recipient pays you more than you paid for the software or hardware at the Company Store. It’s your responsibility to inquire how the intended recipient will use the software or hardware, to refrain from giving the person the software or hardware if the intended use is contrary to company policy, and to inform the person about the limitations that apply to the use of the software or hardware.

Q: What should I do if someone externally approaches me about purchasing software for them through the Company Store?

A: If the person is not someone you know and trust, do not purchase the software, and consider the request as suspicious. Corporate Security investigators are aware of external people reselling Company Store software at or near market value, using sophisticated techniques and fabricating elaborate stories about their need for software to take away from the legitimate sales channel. Some even drive around the Redmond area with signs on the back of their vehicle offering cash for [my company's] software. Others offer to trade goods—such as computer equipment, electronics, and plasma televisions —for the software. Bartering or trading with software and hardware purchased at the Company Store is prohibited.

Q: I bought a copy of [software] last year at the Company Store, and the new version is out. Can I sell the old copy on eBay or on [...] ads?

A: No—reselling used software is a violation of policy subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment.

Q: What is [my company]’s approach to abuse of the Company Store benefit?

A: Suspected violations of the Company Store policy are investigated, and those substantiated lead to serious consequences for the employee involved, as detailed in the Company Store policy. Employees who use the Company Store purchase benefit are expected to understand their responsibilities to the company and act accordingly.