The Pirated CD

I don't know whether anyone noticed this. You buy a pirated software CD, they give it to you in a black plastic bag. It appears to me these people have franchises all over the island and Johore Bahru because every pirated cd shop seem to be using the same no company name no brand plastic bags, and they just prefer to use the black ones. And it's the same size, big enough for that CD only. Are they afraid of people seeing what's inside? Or is it industry practice to sell them in those black plastic bags? This is not drugs you know. The shop is big enough for the police to see whatever product line you are carrying. I think they need to exercise the utmost discretion here.

I would actually like to suggest to the boss (some customer feedback to the pirates) to use any other color besides black. It should be the same cost anyway; you still need to dye the plastic right? Maybe red or blue or white but not black. Cos when you are carrying the little black plastic bags, people know what’s inside. It's embarrassing! Nobody would think its grocery inside because it’s too small. I have to squeeze that 5 inch CDs into my tight jeans pocket each time I buy them and its get a little uncomfortable when I sit down. Make those plastic bags a little more colorful and cuter! Or better still, give it a name! Like maybe Armani or Rolex. After all the pirates are already selling fake stuff, what is another fake plastic bag right? Make the customer happy; make them feel good about their purchase. Change that bag!

Actually, on a serious note, I do appreciate what these pirates are doing. If not for their ingenuity, enterprising and risk taking attitude, I would not have accomplished so much, especially in the world of typing and digital photography. If you look at the original software, they really cost a bomb! And how many can actually afford them? Those software billionaires refuse to lower the prices for the benefit of the average citizen. So we need these Robin Hoods to help us make our computer ends meet. To me, the pirated softwares are like trial versions of the original. I test them completely, and then when I am satisfied I buy the original. Fair right? Because what happens when you forked out a few hundreds and realise that's not what you wanted? Or maybe that software didn't live up to your expectations? Or you like to try out the different softwares of the same category? With a $10 copy, you can just throw it in the basket if you are not happy with it. Clever right?

The other day I was at the shop and this guy asked the shop assistant if he knows how to install the plug-ins for the Photoshop CS. The Malay shop assistant, with tattoos all over his arms and a Marlboro cigarette box squeezed up his t-shirt sleeves, gave him a far away look and said : "Friend, if you want to buy you buy. If you don't how to use, don't buy!" I tell you, the look on this specky guy's face tells me he almost shit in his pants. But I don't sympathise with him. I mean, you have to be reasonable; these shop assistants have to handle one thousand and one titles in the shop. And between the three guys in the shop, I think they would have less than three O-levels passes combined! Its good enough they don't tell you "If its there its there", let alone teach you how to install right? For $10 a copy, don't expect technical services or help desk of any kind.