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Frequently Asked Questions |
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General Pre-Sales
What is the difference between the products offered on this Web site and the commercial versions of these products?
Nothing. Aside from the price, these products are usually functionally identical to the commercial versions. As a student, teacher, instructor, or faculty member you are eligible to purchase one copy of most software titles at educational discounts. Some software titles such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks and 3ds max are functionally identical to the commercial versions but have been specially designed for educational or student-only use, making them unsuitable for a professional production environment.
Some manufacturers such as Macromedia and Waterloo Maple limit their use strictly for personal or educational use. And some products like SPSS Student Edition limit slightly, the amount of data that can be collected or input. Please view the Agreement Forms found on those products that require a specific form to be completed; or the Manufacturer's Web site for other specific licensing limitations and requirements.
Are schools and institutions eligible to purchase from Academic Superstore?
All schools and academic institutions are eligible to purchase from Academic Superstore.com To help with the special needs of academic institutions and purchasers, Academic Superstore has a dedicated team of account managers available to assist you. These representatives are experts in licensing, volume pricing and other school software related matters. Purchase orders are also accepted for additional convenience. For more information see Contact Information.
I am an individual customer, how many copies of a software title can I order?
Individual customers may only purchase one copy of any software title per year beginning date of purchase.
What are the advantages of software licensing?
Purchasing multiple-user licenses can be overwhelming, but Academic Superstore is ready to assist you in obtaining the best arrangement for you organization. Multiple-User Licenses offer substantial discounts over the individual priced software copies while offering several advantages to your organization. These include:
- A simple, one-stop process for your organization. Academic Superstore offers licensing for hundreds of titles, so we can offer competitive pricing in one easy transaction.
- Solutions that are more cost-effective than single-user products.
- Increased discounts are available with increased numbers of users. Many titles offered by Academic Superstore are available in tiered or cumulative discounts, so the more you buy, the more you save!
- Reduced administration costs due to one-time purchase and installation. Many titles are also available with add-on technical support or free upgrades for a particular period of time to streamline your installation. Your organization can focus on your needs instead of being overwhelmed by your software.
- Legal compliance for your organization under a customized multi-user plan. Academic Superstore provides an easy way to outfit all of your workstations with the latest versions of top software titles; and all at a reasonable price!
How can Academic Superstore offer such low prices?
Academic Superstore has partnered with manufacturers that recognize our commitment to providing professional software tools at prices that students and teachers can afford. This allows us to offer the best tools in the marketplace at the lowest possible price.
Is the software I'm buying a legally licensed copy?
Academic Superstore has partnered with the software publishers to offer our customers the best prices to academically-eligible customers. We are an authorized reseller for every product we carry so you will own a legal license for the software you purchase. All of the software is the most-current version, as stated. Simply put, education has its benefits.
Will my software be fully upgradeable?
Most academic software titles are not upgradeable. A few manufacturers do offer upgrades to their commercial versions upon graduation. Please contact us if you are concerned about a specific product.
Can I Fax In My Order?
Yes. Please fill out this form and fax or mail it to us.
Downloading & Shipping
Shipping
- Our standard method of shipping is Ground service. We may use any carrier at our discretion for Super Saver Shipping.
- Shipping times quoted are based upon typical Ground delivery timeframes. Shipping times may vary during peak shipping periods.
- Shipping services are for delivery during normal weekday business hours – Monday through Friday.
- Estimated shipping times may be affected by delays in receiving acceptable academic status and payment information from the customer.
- Packages left without a required signature are the responsibility of the customer.
- We do not ship to PO boxes, international addresses, or APO addresses.
- Shipping charges are determined by destination, weight, and size of the package.
- Next Day and 2nd Day shipping services are available at an additional charge. Due to eligibility requirements orders may not ship the same day the order is placed.
- For customers located in Alaska and Hawaii we do not offer ground service. Packages will be shipped via the lowest cost air service available.
- Saturday delivery may be available for some in-stock items at significantly higher shipping cost for some locations. You must call to see if Overnight Saturday delivery is available for your order.
How long does it take for my electronic download to be sent?
Electronic downloads are not sent immediately. They generally take 1-3 business days.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to purchase from Academic Superstore?
If you are a part or full-time student, teacher or faculty member attending or employed by an accredited, degree-granting institution (K-12 or Higher Ed), you are eligible. Microsoft will authorize K-12 students to purchase at academic prices only if they have a letter of acceptance from a college.
| K-12 Students | Higher Ed. Students (College) | Teachers and Faculty | Schools | Home Schools & Home School Students | |
| Eligible? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Enrollment Requirement | Full-time | Full-time and Part-time | Full-time and Part-time | Accredited and Degree-granting | Full-time and Home-School |
| Verification of Eligibility Required | Validated Student ID card -or- Class schedule -or- Registration Receipt -or- Letter of enrollment from school on letterhead -or- a Report Card |
Validated Student ID card -or- Class schedule -or- Registration Receipt -or- Letter of enrollment from school on letterhead |
Validated Faculty ID card -or- Letter of employment from school on letterhead -or- Copy of pay-stub (ink out pay amount) |
Purchase Order -or- Photocopy of School Purchasing Credit Card -or- Letter of Authorization On School Letterhead |
A letter of intent -or- a copy of Curriculum receipts -or- registration through a home school program -or- membership in a recognized home school org |
Special Restrictions:
- Not all manufacturers offer discounts to K-12 students or home-schooled students.
- Some manufacturers require full time enrollment.
- Class schedule must show current enrollment status.
- Verification letter must be signed by a school official or faculty representative.
- ID cards must be either validated to current semester, or submitted with current class schedule.
After you place your order, fax eligibility to 1-866-947-4525 or email eligibility to id@academicsuperstore.com.
What is acceptable proof of eligibility?
We require proof of current affiliation with a school. Accepted verification can include the following: a dated student or faculty ID card, fee receipt, course schedule, pay-stub, or employment contract. Please feel free to block out any private information such as pay amounts and social security numbers.
How will I know my academic document was accepted?
Once your academic document has been reviewed, your account will be marked verified and an email will be sent confirming that your verification has been accepted and your order has been released for processing.
Academic verification documents are reviewed in the order in which they are received. These documents may take up to 1 business day to be posted to your account after being received.
What is the status of my order?
Customers may view their order status on our website 24/7 by logging in to the My Account page. All order progressions or delay issues are communicated by email to the email address provided on your account. Be sure to set your email settings to allow delivery of JourneyEd emails to your address book.
Do I need to send eligibility documents with every order?
All eligibility documents remain on file for up to one year. After this period, extended verification is required. For more information see Eligibility.
How long is my eligibility kept on file?
Eligibility for students is valid for the current semester. Eligibility for teachers and faculty, is valid for one year. Exceptions apply when the proof of eligibility contains a specific expiration date. In this case, eligibility is valid until the expiration date. For more information see Eligibility.
Online Store Policies
Academic Status
- We are authorized to sell products to academic customers within the United States. We cannot accept orders from international or APO addresses.
- Most orders require proof of academic status to qualify for academic pricing. See: http://www.academicsuperstore.com/eligibility
- Several manufacturers allow home school families and non profit organizations to purchase under their academic program, please see the eligibility link on our website for details.
- Academic status requirements are set by each manufacturer. Special qualifications are provided for each product on the Academic Superstore website. You can find academic status requirements by clicking on the product description for any product on our website.
- Orders are placed on hold until proof of academic status has been received and approved by Academic Superstore.
- Customers are responsible for providing acceptable proof of academic status via their online account, college student instant verification (eligible schools only), email or fax. Academic Superstore assumes no liability for delays incurred while waiting for acceptable proof of academic status from our customers.
- Academic status documents are usually processed within 1 business day, excluding weekends and holidays.
- Typically proof of academic status is good for 12 months and must only be submitted once per year.
Payment Terms
- For personal orders we accept credit cards (Amex, Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Credit card orders are not charged until the product ships. Cards are authorized when orders are placed to verify funds availability. Customers using debit cards should check with their bank to determine how funds will be processed.
- For schools we accept purchasing orders (Net 30), purchase cards (p-cards), school checks and money orders
- School purchase orders must have payment terms of Net 30 to be processed.
Product Availability
- Product availability is usually visible on the product description page of our website. If no product availability is displayed the item is special order and usually takes 1-2 weeks before it ships.
- We cannot guarantee product availability at the time your order is placed. Inventory availability may change between the time an order is placed and the time we receive both acceptable academic status and an acceptable payment method from each customer.
- Products are not allocated for your order until proof of verification and an approved payment method have been accepted.
- At times we will offer pre-sales of new products that are not yet available from the manufacturer. We will attempt to communicate the best estimate of product availability provided by the manufacturer. Please be aware these estimates are often subject to change and further delay by the manufacturer.
Sales Tax
- For individual sales, we collect sales tax for taxable entities within all 50 states.
- For school and institution sales, we collect sales tax for taxable entities in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, Washington DC, and Wisconsin. All other taxable entities are responsible for reporting and paying their own sales tax.
Cancellations
- Orders cancelled prior to shipment incur no charges.
- Shipments, which are refused or returned by the recipient, will be credited 80% of their initial purchase price. Not including shipping and handling costs incurred.
- Orders cannot be cancelled after shipment. Customers must call for a Return Merchandise Authorization before returning any shipments. (See Return Policy)
What is the Returns Process?
You may return most software items you have purchased from Academic Superstore within 30 days of delivery for a full product refund minus the cost of shipping providing the product is unopened. Hardware items can be returned within 14-days of purchase. Software and Hardware must be returned in original unopened packaging and in a resalable condition.
Software that has been opened and is defective may be exchanged for a replacement item of the same title and platform only. No returns for refunds are accepted on opened items. If the return is a direct result of our error, we'll also pay the return shipping costs. Outside of 30 days from delivery, defective products will be subject to the manufacturer's warranty.
A Restocking Fee of 15% or $45 (whichever is less) may be assessed for any returned item. A Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number must always accompany all returns. To obtain your RMA number, simply call or email our customer service line at 1-800-817-2347 or contact@academicsuperstore.com. Products returned without obtaining an RMA number will be refused or subject to an automatic 15% restocking fee at the discretion of Academic Superstore. If your return warrants Academic Superstore emailing a direct return material authorization label please consult with our customer service staff for details. All returns received without previous authorization will be discarded after 30 days.
When returning items to Academic Superstore, we strongly advise that you obtain a tracking number for your shipment. Please use a sturdy shipping box; placing shipping labels directly on the original product voids any previous credit or refund authorization. All original product parts are required for return, including product packaging.
Due to manufacturer restrictions, we cannot accept returns of the following items:
- Any item from the following manufacturers, vendors and items: Ableton Live 6, Adam, Alias, Alpha Software, Antares Audio, ArcSoft, Audio Warrior,Auralog, AutoDesk, Auto FX, Atrixware, Avid, Brother, CadSoft, Computer Systems Odessa, Cosmic Blobs, EasyReader, Emedia, Epson, EZ Grader, eZedia, HP, IK Multimedia, Jackson Software, LearnKey, Line 6, MacKichan, Maxon, National Instruments, Nemetschek, Newtek, Nik Software, Now Software, Orbis Software, Pantone, Pinnacle, Pixtivity, Planon System Solutions, Quark, Reason, Red Rock Software, Robert McNeel & Associates, Sibelius, SmartSound, SolidWorks, Sony Hardware, SpeedSkin, SPSS, Steinberg, StyleEase, SunBurst, Transparent Language, Wacom Cintiqs,Wacom Refurbs, Wolfram, Wizcom Technologies.
- Any item that has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
- Any item from Adobe Student Licensing.
- Zip Disks, Recordable CDs/DVDs, Ink Cartridges, Paper, Toner for Fax Machines and Printers, or any other consumable product.
- Any Electronic Software Download (ESD) purchase.
- Any gaming or game console software.
- Any volume license purchase.
- Any item that is not in its original condition or is damaged.
- Any item marked "BLOWOUT! While Supplies Last"
- Any item returned without a RMA number.
- Any item returned to locations other than the Academic Superstore Austin warehouse.
- Any OEM product.
- Any training software or DVD.
- Any item not return in a shipping box - envelopes not allowed.
Returns Warehouse Address:
Attn: Returns Department
RMA # (provided when return approved)
Academic Superstore
2101 E. Saint Elmo Rd
Ste 360
Austin TX, 78744
Warranty
All product warranty and customer support are provided directly by the manufacturer and not Academic Superstore.
Bids / Quotes
- Schools and Institutions requiring special bids, quotes, and volume discounts should contact their Account Manager, or our School and Institutional sales team at 1-800-664-2540.
- We will return most quotes within 2 hours and bids within 1 business day.
- Quotes are good for 30 days from the date created unless otherwise specified in writing on the actual quote.
Our Mailing List Policy
We Hate SPAM.
Seriously. We don't like to send unsolicited email, and we know you don't like to receive unsolicited email. Below, we outline our Mailing List Policy, which could be summarized simply as "We Hate Spam."
No unsolicited email.
We never buy lists of email addresses from other people, period. We never send email newsletters or promotions to people who haven't subscribed, period.
Your email address is safe with us.
We never sell or share your email addresses with other companies.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you receive a newsletter or email and decide you don't like it, simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.
If you feel you've been sent unsolicited email and would like to register a complaint, please call our toll free number or email our abuse department.
| Department | Contact |
| Academic Superstore Toll-Free Customer Service | 1-800-817-2347 |
| Academic Superstore Email Abuse Team | mailinglistabuse@academicsuperstore.com |
