Tomorrow is always a day away. But one reader is beginning to think that, when it comes to getting the Vista upgrade from Microsoft and the Moduslink fulfillment service, four to six weeks is always four to six weeks away. "As you probably recall, several months before Vista hit the store shelves, Microsoft began offering certificates to enable customers who purchased new computers to receive a free upgrade to V Tomorrow is always a day away. But one reader is beginning to think that, when it comes to getting the Vista upgrade from Microsoft and the Moduslink fulfillment service, four to six weeks is always four to six weeks away.“As you probably recall, several months before Vista hit the store shelves, Microsoft began offering certificates to enable customers who purchased new computers to receive a free upgrade to Vista when it was released,” the reader wrote. “The program even extended to those who assembled their own computer, as I was. Well, I purchased all the parts of my new computer including the Windows XP Media Center OEM edition. Then I proceeded to jump through all the hoops that Moduslink and Microsoft were requiring in order to receive the free upgrade. I didn’t even balk at the $30 shipping/handling fee that I was told would be charged to get it to me.”“On March 3, I received the happy e-mail that informed me my order had been validated, and I should expect to see my shiny Vista disc in four to six weeks,” the reader wrote. “There was also a little note at the bottom saying if I hadn’t received it, to notify Moduslink prior to May 1, or else they probably couldn’t do anything about it. So I sat back, and waited.” After more than a month had passed, the reader began wondering where his package was. “I look on their site, and they haven’t shipped yet. So, since April 14th marks 6 weeks, a few days before I e-mail Moduslink. In response, I get a canned reply that my order was approved, and I should expect delivery in four to six weeks. I write back, explaining how it’s already been four to six weeks. They send a different canned reply telling me to please wait four to six weeks. I write them again, asking for a phone number and explaining yet again that it’s been six weeks and that I can’t ask the manufacturer where it is because I’m the one who built the computer.”The next response from Moduslink at least seemed to indicate that someone there had read his e-mail, because this time it at least acknowledged “Microsoft is your computer’s ‘Manufacturer’ because you purchased an OEM version of Windows XP.” But he was told that his order was still in processing and it would be another four weeks before his copy of Vista to arrive. “Now, I’m no mathematician, but I’m fairly confident that four weeks after April 13th is almost two weeks after their May 1 deadline. At which point I can only assume they’ll throw their hands up should the copy of Vista they owe me not arrive.”Yesterday I asked the reader how things were going, and he relayed the latest e-mail he got last week from Moduslink: “Thank you for your interest in the Upgrade Redemption Program. Because your order was placed prior to May 1st, we will ensure that it is fulfilled. While shipping timelines vary by manufacturer, a number of manufacturers have initiated shipment in the past weeks with more scheduled to begin shipping in the coming weeks. You should receive your Microsoft Windows Vista or Microsoft Office Vista software within 4-6 weeks.”Wouldn’t you think that Microsoft would be the first “manufacturer” that could ship Vista, rather than maybe the last? “I have little faith in their timeline at this stage,” the reader says. “Having just checked online, there’s still been no shipment as of yet. This whole process has really soured me on Vista altogether.”Is a vendor making sure your tomorrow never comes? Tell us about it by posting your comments below, writing me at Foster@gripe2ed.com or phoning the Gripe Line voice mail at 1 888 875-7916.Read and post comments about this story here. Technology Industry