A Warning To Karaosoft Karma Users
On Monday, July 13, 2015 I was about to start my karaoke show using Karma karaoke hosting software made by Karaosoft when I got a message asking if I wanted to get updated to the latest version (2016.0.07)
I did the update and started my show. It immediately crashed and it delayed my show for several minutes as I discovered it no longer supported my .WMA music files and .WMV video files. There was no warning. I had to uninstall the updated software version and install a previous version that worked and supported my files. I later contacted the Karma product support (run by Karaosoft owner Bob Latshaw) after my show and got a rather rude response.
On Monday July 27, 2015 without any warning he then deactivated the license key that I had paid $99 for in 2013 to use the Karma software - and denied me a refund and out of spite removed my purchase from the system.
On Tuesday July 28, 2015 I asked again for either a refund or to restore my license key - and as of Sunday August 2, 2015 have not gotten a response. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
All of this is seen in the emails below.
Jay Tando
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 2:14 AM
To: Karaosoft Support
Why no longer support WMA and WMV files?
I downloaded the latest update before my show tonight and the program crashed. Turns out it could not read my WMA songs that I use for filler music in between singers.
Can you please include support again for WMA and WMV files for next version?
Thank you,
Jay Tando
From: Karaosoft Support
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 4:05 AM
To: 'Jay Tando'
No, support is gone and won’t come back. It’s a crap format and never was adopted by the industry. It’s time for people to wake up and smell the coffee. I have a better idea. How about you convert your files to MP3s and MP4s?
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 7:47 AM
To: Karaosoft Support
Okay it would have been nice if you had actually informed the people who pay for your product that in that new update you are no longer offering to support files that you previously supported. It would help a lot.
Your customer service the past 3 years that I have used your otherwise excellent Karma software has not been very positive at all. You have an excellent product. But your snarky attitude – not so much.
From: Karaosoft Support
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 5:51 AM
To: 'Jay Tando'
Why inform less than 1% of users? Because that’s about how many still use Windows Media formats.
Jay, you’re behind the curve. Catch up. …and if you’re too sensitive for my honesty, I suggest you either grow a pair or go elsewhere.
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 9:04 AM
To: Karaosoft Support
How about a refund of the $100 that I spent on your product? FALSE ADVERTISING – when I bought Karma it supported WMA and WMV formats - and you removed that WITHOUT WARNING.
If not, you will be hearing from the Better Business Bureau.
http://www.bbb.org/ What you did “Bait and Switch” is considered FRAUD.
Jay Tando
From: Karaosoft Support
Sent: 7/14/?2015 6:28 AM
To: 'Jay Tando'
Jay, you’re still able to use the version you purchased. We keep all old stable versions in the archive on our web site, and if you kept up on things, you’d know that.
Also, the better business bureau doesn’t contact businesses. It simply keeps a list of the ones people complain about. That’s it, and less than 1 in a thousand people actually refer to it for making purchasing decisions. They’re not even close to being as powerful as you imagine they are. You think you’re the first person who’s threatened with that one?
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 9:31 PM
To: Karaosoft Support
The BBB is only the first step. You have committed fraud over state lines. That makes it a Federal Offense. You will be hearing from many others.
From: Karaosoft Support
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 3:45 AM
To: 'Jay Tando'
Jay, no I haven’t. Again, you know exactly what you purchased and you have access to exactly what you purchased. Period. End of Story. …but feel free to have a lawyer tell you the exact same thing.
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 11:03 PM
To: Karaosoft Support
Subject: Re: Why no longer support WMA and WMV files?
I see that you have deactivated my Karma license. Please give me a full refund of $99.
Thank you
Jay Tando
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Latshaw Systems
Order Receipt
Please print or save this as your receipt.
Order date: 10/23/2013. OnlineOrder_0000xxxx
Thank you for your order.
Product Name: Karma License
Qty: 1
Item#
ShipMethod: Free Shipping
Unit Price $99.00
Price $99.00
Grand Total:
$99.00
Billing Information
Name:
Jay Tando
Address: xxxx
Payment By: Visa CC Number: xxxx
Status:
APPROVED xxxx
Day Phone: xxxx
Night Phone: xxxxx
Email: xxx
Copyright 1998-2013. Powered by CartSquare | Privacy Policy
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From: Karaosoft Support
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 3:07 AM
To: 'Jay Tando'
Subject: RE: Why no longer support WMA and WMV files?
Sorry, we show no record of you as a customer. Besides, the date on that receipt is far too old to warrant a refund. You will need to contact your credit card company.
From: Jay Tando
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 3:52 AM
To: Karaosoft Support
Subject: Re: Why no longer support WMA and WMV files?
Come on, man.
Let’s please try to resolve this is in a positive way. I manage the karaoke shows for 2 other bars and we all use licensed Karma software because it has been otherwise pretty awesome. That’s 3 PC’s using 3 paid licenses. But you took the one I use for my PC away - and you know that is not fair.
A positive resolution:
1. You can restore the Karma License that I paid $99 for in the receipt you have seen below.
- or-
2. You can refund me for disconnecting the Karma License that I paid $99 for.
I would rather not drag this out any further.
Thank you.
Jay Tando
Contact info for Karaosoft / Latshaw Systems:
Bob Latshaw
2324 Traceys Road
Sparks, MD 21152
Phone: (410) 963-0556
support@karaosoft.comhttp://karaosoft.com/