Becoming a TPR not palatable

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patrick chezzie

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Sep 26, 2020, 11:26:37 AM9/26/20
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For over 12 years, originally as a refurbisher under the MAR program, then as an MRR, the transition to a TPR is leaving a bad taste in my mouth, and quite honestly, a sense of utter confusion. Seems becoming a TPR has been left up to MAR's to be able to pick and choose whom they want to partner with.

I have contacted a few in my area asking to be considered as a TPR, with no response. Another that I contacted, seems reluctant, as I do less than 1,000 licenses a year. 

As donations continue to decline due to third parties buying up company assets and reselling them on the internet through groups such as Tradeloop, it leaves us small refurbishers in a position to question, " is it really worth doing anymore?"

We have donated over 5000 computer systems with Citizenship licenses to needy families, students, charitable organizations, and seniors. We live in the poorest areas of York Region, and even our local municipality is selling off their assets without regard to helping their local people through this program.

Why has Microsoft chosen this route, when the functionality of the program is/was perfect? 

I have just received 40 licenses through the portal, in hindsight, anticipating problems ahead, and I am seriously considering closing my program that has helped so many, and could help so many more. 

I get a lot of requests for desktops and laptops, and it is discouraging, frustrating and stressful when you have nothing for them, making me wonder "is it really worth it?".



Jim Lynch

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Sep 26, 2020, 2:05:18 PM9/26/20
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Patrick, this is really helpful feedback on the new TPR program. We're organizing a session at the Electronics Reuse Conference on the new Microsoft refurbishment licensing arrangements. I hope you can attend! It's a virtual conference this year and registration is free. It'll be November 16th - 18th.  https://www.ereuseconference.com/attend

-jim

B Glicklich

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Sep 30, 2020, 9:47:41 AM9/30/20
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If you are a non-profit refurbisher, read on.

Following is an email from AFTRR, the alliance for technology refurbishing and reuse.

AFTRR is a part of NCF (National Cristina Foundation), and is an organization created for non-profit refurbishers.

If your organization fits this description, and you are struggling to find a MAR for which you can become a TPR, I encourage you to consider becoming a member. You can learn more and apply for membership at http://aftrr.org

Hopefully this will help some of you to continue to be able to provide umportant services in your communities. 

Barry Glicklich
President 
Partners Bridging the Digital Divide


 PCs for People and National Cristina Foundation (NCF) have teamed up with Microsoft to provide AFTRR members with a new option for Windows operating system license and Office software procurement. It was a slow process, stretching over several months, but we are thrilled with the outcome. The result of this partnership will be a simple, seamless solution to acquire licenses at a great price.

PCs for People is now a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) and will procure licenses from Microsoft. NCF will serve in a sales, marketing, customer service, and transaction processing capacity (orders via web and phone). PCs for People will handle order fulfillment and shipping, as well as providing all participants with a free and simple software tool that will automate much of the license assignment, installation, and reporting process.

IMPORTANT NOTES
  • While the partnership has been in the works for several months, the wheels of progress turn slowly at Microsoft, and this new arrangement was finalized literally yesterday. It will not be stood up and fully functional until late October.
  • TODAY, September 30, is the deadline for ordering licenses through Microsoft’s existing program. We urge you to order whatever licenses you may need for the next 6-8 weeks, through whatever process you use, before the portal goes away today, September 30.
  • We will work to develop an online platform for order processing over the next few weeks, with a target launch date of October 19. We are very aware of the time sensitive nature of the processing of the licenses and we keep this as an imperative.
  • The online platform being developed will be the place where registration, orders, reporting, and compliance is tracked as required by Microsoft.
  • Pricing for operating system licenses will be:
    • Citizenship: $6 for Windows 10 Professional, with a minimum of 20 licenses for each order. Citizenship licenses may be installed on computers for “Eligible Recipients” which means (1) an Eligible Charitable Organization, (2) an Eligible Academic User, or (3) a Specially Approved Recipient/Technology Access Program (TAP).
    • Commercial: $13 for Windows 10 Home, $23 for Windows 10 Professional. Commercial Licenses are available for all customers. PCs must be at least 6-months old and have a valid pre-existing Windows Certificate of Authenticity.
  • Pricing for Microsoft Office 2019 (on-machine install) is $6. Microsoft Office 2019 licenses are only available to be installed on machines for TAP where the end customer is a qualified individual. From Microsoft: “TAP is a term used by Microsoft to describe the many different programs that are run by a variety of organizations around the world to benefit disadvantaged people. Individuals supported by a TAP may receive Citizenship licenses provided that they meet the criteria in the Program Agreement for a Qualified Individual. This is:
    • Qualified Individual means a person 1. in a community with limited access to technology; and 2. with a disability; or 3. a member of a low-income family.
    • Examples of ways to identify low-income include those 1. receiving state benefits based on need; 2. receiving aid from an Intergovernmental Organization; or 3. in a country defined as a low-income economy by the World Bank.
  • PCs for People and NCF will team up to present webinars during the week of October 19 to introduce AFTRR members to this new service.
  • If you plan to switch from your current MAR relationship, please review your vendor’s agreement/terms of service to ensure you do so properly. If you plan on participating in this partnership, a Third Party Refurbisher agreement with PCs for People will be required that will not be exclusive.
  • Net proceeds from Microsoft license sales through this new program will be split equitably between PCs for People and NCF, recognizing PCs for People’s development, deployment, and management of the process, and NCF’s support for the AFTRR community.
This is a huge win for all of us, and I encourage the entire AFTRR community to participate. I personally salute the effort that Casey Sorensen has and continues to put into this partnership-- it would not have happened without Casey’s innovative thinking and his organization’s standing in this space. Well done, Casey.

There will be much more information to come over the next few weeks.

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John Victor

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Sep 30, 2020, 10:44:58 AM9/30/20
to refurb...@googlegroups.com, Barry Glicklich

Barry

 

That certainly is great news! I plan to apply, even though People’s Resource Center has already partnered with a MAR.

 

John Victor

IT Director

People’s Resource Center

(630) 682-5402, x247

(630) 384-1350 (direct)

 

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Patrick Chezzie

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Sep 30, 2020, 12:53:12 PM9/30/20
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Hi John and Barry,

 

Thank you for this email, but this says nothing for us refurbishers in Canada.

This is a huge win for all of us, and I encourage the entire AFTRR community to participate. I personally salute the effort that Casey Sorensen has and continues to put into this partnership-- it would not have happened without Casey’s innovative thinking and his organization’s standing in this space Well done, Casey.



There will be much more information to come over the next few weeks.

On Sat, Sep 26, 2020, 2:05 PM Jim Lynch <jly...@techsoupglobal.org> wrote:

Patrick, this is really helpful feedback on the new TPR program. We're organizing a session at the Electronics Reuse Conference on the new Microsoft refurbishment licensing arrangements. I hope you can attend! It's a virtual conference this year and registration is free. It'll be November 16th - 18th.  https://www.ereuseconferencecom/attend

 

-jim

On Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 8:26:37 AM UTC-7 patrick chezzie wrote:

For over 12 years, originally as a refurbisher under the MAR program, then as an MRR, the transition to a TPR is leaving a bad taste in my mouth, and quite honestly, a sense of utter confusion. Seems becoming a TPR has been left up to MAR's to be able to pick and choose whom they want to partner with.

 

I have contacted a few in my area asking to be considered as a TPR, with no response. Another that I contacted, seems reluctant, as I do less than 1,000 licenses a year. 

 

As donations continue to decline due to third parties buying up company assets and reselling them on the internet through groups such as Tradeloop, it leaves us small refurbishers in a position to question, " is it really worth doing anymore?"

 

We have donated over 5000 computer systems with Citizenship licenses to needy families, students, charitable organizations, and seniors. We live in the poorest areas of York Region, and even our local municipality is selling off their assets without regard to helping their local people through this program.

 

Why has Microsoft chosen this route, when the functionality of the program is/was perfect? 

 

I have just received 40 licenses through the portal, in hindsight, anticipating problems ahead, and I am seriously considering closing my program that has helped so many, and could help so many more. 

 

I get a lot of requests for desktops and laptops, and it is discouraging, frustrating and stressful when you have nothing for them, making me wonder "is it really worth it?".

 

 

 

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Ozzie Serrano

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Oct 1, 2020, 3:44:32 PM10/1/20
to refurb...@googlegroups.com, Barry Glicklich
That's great news!  We would love to partner with PC for People so we can purchase Citizenship Windows 10 licenses and Office 2019.  Looking forward to the October 19th webinar.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/refurbishers/CAEDs05fOS3kfnagevAVou-rRB5iLg9NNxoRF%2B3J0eCoi7yW9gA%40mail.gmail.com.


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Ozzie Serrano
Computers for Classrooms

patrick chezzie

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Oct 8, 2020, 8:51:56 PM10/8/20
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Hi Jim, as I believe I have stated once before, it seems the MAR's are picking and choosing those they want as TPR's. I have so far received 4 requests to join, however 2 on this continent have never gotten back, and the other 2 are in Germany and Italy respectfully. The Canadian MAR's, 6 in all, have never replied to my request. This whole situation about becoming a TPR is absurd! Why did Microsoft jump the gun, if licenses will be distributed digitally next year? Makes no sense to me at all.

Sarah Kim

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Oct 9, 2020, 3:25:02 PM10/9/20
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Hi Patrick and all,

 

Good news, Jim and I have been hard at work to put together a panel at ERC this year called “The Future of the Microsoft Refurbishing Program”. The session will include 4 MARs from around the world who will talk about their TPR programs, expectations and limitations. We will also have Bob Bostwick who will be joining us to give us some information about the changes. I am certain it will answer a lot of questions for all of us.

 

As Jim mentioned, this is the first time ERC attendance is no cost and the event will be all virtual. To view the sessions, resources and to network with the community you can sign up here: www.ereuseconference.com/attend. If you have any additional questions about the show please feel free to contact me.

 

Thanks and stay safe.

 

Sarah Kim | President & Owner

 

ers_logo_inc

p: (800) 913-7650 ext. 700

e: Sa...@eReuseServices.com

w: Conference | Network | Services

CLICK HERE to save the date for ERC 2020

 

PLEASE NOTE: Exciting news! I gave birth to a healthly baby boy August 16th, please expect a delay in my response during this time.

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Patrick Chezzie

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Oct 19, 2020, 12:15:06 PM10/19/20
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Hi folks, Just wondering how it went at the conference about becoming a TPR. Seems I may have to close my program down, as becoming a TPR seems impossible. Because of minimum quantities, pricing and the inability to find a MAR that will take me on, I may have no choice but to close. Microsoft has passed the “logistics” buck onto the MAR’s, letting them set costs for both licenses and shipping. Seems very unfair to us small refurbishers.

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Travailler et Apprendre Ensemble TAE

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Oct 19, 2020, 12:21:09 PM10/19/20
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Dear Colleagues,
Thanks for this message. I was a little bit confused and disappointed when I heard that the RRP was over.

We are a small non profit organisation working in France. We need less than 1000 COA/year.

I have just received an answer from a French MAR to enter a partnership and get COA, at a similar price than the former RRP.

For information, German MAR seem to be open minded as I also received a positive answer from them.

www.bb-net.de

bb-net media GmbH

Lissabonstraße 4
97424 Schweinfurt


The solution we have found until we get COA is to install W7 with an existing licence, and then free upgrade to W10 through the following link (copy and remove the "space")


Hope it helps

Best regards


Philippe VERGEZ

Sales and partnership manager

TAE Informatique (IT)

Travailler et Apprendre Ensemble

202 Avenue Cossonneau

93160 Noisy Le Grand

France

Tel : +33 1 49 32 15 96


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Rohit (Al Waha)

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Oct 19, 2020, 12:21:09 PM10/19/20
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Hi Patrick,

 

We are direct MAR you can contact us for your future purchases..

 

Thanks & Regards,

 

Rohit Kumar

Al Waha Computer Devices Tr. LLC

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Nancy Jo Craig

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Oct 19, 2020, 12:23:55 PM10/19/20
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If you are a non profit member of AFTRR you can partner with PCs for People/ National Cristina Foundation. Contact sc...@cristina.org.
Nancy Jo Craig
CACRC

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Molly Shattuck

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Jul 12, 2021, 11:32:43 AM7/12/21
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Paper COAs are ending 7/31/2021! 
Digital Windows licenses will only be obtained through a MAR - Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, by becoming a TPR - Third Party Refurbisher.  
If you would like to apply with us to be a TPR, send your email address to mo...@stsrecycle.com, or post here.  
(There are only 9 MARs that will be reselling to TPRs!)
MAR directory attached.  

Molly Shattuck, MAR Program Specialist
STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.  
Jacksonville, TX  75766


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Jodi Martin

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Jul 12, 2021, 12:01:19 PM7/12/21
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This is becoming too confusing for people. If you are buying Citizenship licenses (cheap $6-7 licenses like you did through the MAR Refurbisher site for refurbished PCs you are putting through your program), the TPR email above does not apply! If you want uncomplicated purchasing and no partnerships, get in touch with Blair Technology, Ciera Palaima, co...@blairtg.com, and ask to get your licenses from them. We shared a google drive excel sheet for reporting, and it easy. It's pretty much ordering through email; they send an invoice, you can pay with ACH, check, or credit card w/fee for processing a credit card, and they mail your licenses. Windows 10 and Office 2019.

Salespeople want you to purchase from them, so they send these emails out. We maybe should be filtering them a little so as not to confuse everyone.
Jodi.


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Molly Shattuck

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Jul 12, 2021, 2:28:50 PM7/12/21
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Thank you!  To clarify - we have not yet set up a Citizenship Program for COAs, but we will have it soon.

We are selling DIGITAL COAs at low cost as part of the new MAR program as a partner with Microsoft.  Paper COAs will end 7/31/2021, and Refurbishers will need to go through a MAR to purchase Home and Pro Licenses (see the directory I previously posted.)  Blair Technology is also a MAR and very helpful and knowledgeable about the program as well.  
Yes, MARs have a fee for the licenses.  I would be happy to sell them to any Refurbisher in need.  More importantly, however, is getting the word out about the program and the process for acquiring what is needed; there are currently only 9 MARs that are reselling to Refurbishers.  
Molly Shattuck, 
STS Electronics Recycling, Inc.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/refurbishers/CAJaaqJpYy5JH6WAdMT4ganKTxUwY7Lue82S38ZyYLKDLiaTtog%40mail.gmail.com.


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Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher

STS Electronic Recycling, Inc. 

Jacksonville, Texas

rohit alwaha

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Jul 12, 2021, 2:28:53 PM7/12/21
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I think it is not so complicated to become TPR, and still Citizenship licences are coming as COA stickers, and no MAR can sell in retail or online without making any refurbisher as TPR, that's not the correct way Microsoft can take action on the partner.

Rohit

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/refurbishers/CAJaaqJpYy5JH6WAdMT4ganKTxUwY7Lue82S38ZyYLKDLiaTtog%40mail.gmail.com.

Molly Shattuck

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Jul 14, 2021, 1:07:47 PM7/14/21
to refurbishers
Thank you!  To clarify - we have not yet set up a Citizenship Program for COAs, but we will have it soon.

We are selling DIGITAL COAs at low cost as part of the new MAR program as a partner with Microsoft.  Paper COAs will end 7/31/2021, and Refurbishers will need to go through a MAR to purchase Home and Pro Licenses (see the directory I previously posted.)  Blair Technology is also a MAR and very helpful and knowledgeable about the program as well.  
Yes, MARs have a fee for the licenses.  I would be happy to sell them to any Refurbisher in need.  More importantly, however, is getting the word out about the program and the process for acquiring what is needed; there are currently only 9 MARs that are reselling to Refurbishers.  
Molly Shattuck, 
STS Electronics Recycling, Inc.  

Jodi Martin

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Jul 14, 2021, 1:45:48 PM7/14/21
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Would you please remove my email from this list? I do not want solicitations.
Jodi Martin 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 14, 2021, at 1:07 PM, Molly Shattuck <mo...@stsrecycle.com> wrote:

Thank you!  To clarify - we have not yet set up a Citizenship Program for COAs, but we will have it soon.
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