I recently received an e-mail telling me that my two-year subscription will soon expire. Automatic renewal is turned on, so I will be charged $59.99 for an additional one year of protection for up to three computer. However, when I log into my Norton account, there is a "buy a key" button which lets me buy a key for one year of protection for up to three computers for $49.99. Is there any reason why the automatic renewal is $10 more? If I turn automatic renewal off, wait until the day my subscription expires, then buy a new key, I save $10? Is that correct? I'm just trying to understand why the automatic renewal is $10 more. Thanks for any comments.
Please see this message.
Short answer....
$59 you will use your current product key to extend your subscription....all remaining days added in.
Easy process because your current key is used.
$49 you will use a new product key to activate your subscription...all remaining days lost.
You will have to use new key and you will have to activate your new subscription period.
Contact Customer Support to retrieve lost days. Usually lost days will be added back.
As to why $10 difference. As to why the automatic renewal is $10 more. I tried for a plausible explanation ...as this question has been asked before.
I'm still waiting (months) for the promised call backs from escalated support.
So, deal direct with Symantec vendor site or shop around for best price.
Caveat: New key begins new subscription period and any remaining days will be lost.
With new key. Wait for current subscription to almost expire. A few days for comfort zone.
Lost days are usually added back via contacting Support.
Hello CyberSky
I would recommend that you turn off the automatic renewal and then you can shop around for a better price and then just use the new key a day or 2 before your subscription ends. You don't have to buy the new subscription from Symantec. You can buy from any reputable online site or any reliable retail store. You can even buy an older version and then just use the product key and end up saving even more money.Thanks.
CyberSky wrote:I recently received an e-mail telling me that my two-year subscription will soon expire. Automatic renewal is turned on, so I will be charged $59.99 for an additional one year of protection for up to three computer. However, when I log into my Norton account, there is a "buy a key" button which lets me buy a key for one year of protection for up to three computers for $49.99. Is there any reason why the automatic renewal is $10 more? If I turn automatic renewal off, wait until the day my subscription expires, then buy a new key, I save $10? Is that correct? I'm just trying to understand why the automatic renewal is $10 more. Thanks for any comments.
There is another option, but if your subscription is about to expire it's possibly too late for this renewal.
I've never used the $59.99 or $49.99 renewal method. I start looking at Amazon and Office Depot a few months before my subscription is about to expire. There have always been sales and rebates that make NIS FREE or $9.99 for the 3-PC version. I have a drawer full of unopened white envelopes containing NIS disks. All you need is the product key number printed on the envelope.
I've called Customer Service and have questioned why a renewing customer has to pay more than a new customer who gets a boxed CD, but I didn't get much of an answer. My guess: some folks just don't like to shop around and mess with rebates.
Just to be clear, you have to pay Amazon or Office Depot $59.99 and then mail in rebates and wait 8 to 10 weeks, so the procedure does require some effort and $$$ upfront. Also, many of the rebates require that the purchase is an UPGRADE. You have to mail in proof that you already own an older version of NIS. The proof used to be a page from the user manual or a printed screen capture of the "About" screen.
If you go this route, wait until a couple of days before your subscription expires so you don't lose a significant number of days.
Yes, there is some effort involved, but FREE is GOOD! 
Edit: Sorry floplot ... you type faster than I do. Didn't mean to step on your post.
This brings up a question.
I have 5 computers running NAV 2010. Before they expire, can I purchase new copies of the same program, and just use the new keys to get another year of subscription? I can find new copies of 2010 for much cheaper than having to purchase full copies of NAV 2011.
alanneibauer wrote:This brings up a question.
I have 5 computers running NAV 2010. Before they expire, can I purchase new copies of the same program, and just use the new keys to get another year of subscription? I can find new copies of 2010 for much cheaper than having to purchase full copies of NAV 2011.
Yes....
You may use a new 2010 NAV key to get another year of subscription. You may then upgrade (if you want) to 2011 NAV for free during active subscription period.
As long as key is for the same Norton product. Key will work. Key is license to use NAV product (2010 or 2011 etc.)
Shop around for best price.