This is an update to my previous post about getting a Windows license refund. In the meanwhile, some nice things have happened. First of all, my girlfriend was not the last to receive a refund for Windows Vista. Another Dutch Dell customer was refunded 220 Euro for Windows Vista Premium and Microsoft Works. In summary: he used a slightly modified e-mail based on the e-mail that we sent to Dell. I take my hat off for Dell Netherlands, they seem to grok their customers. Additionally, the Dutch "General Conditions" state the possibility to ask for a refund of the software (I am not sure if this paragraph existed as-is before). A quick and sloppy translation of the relevant part (please refer to the original Dutch text for an accurate formulation):

If you reject the conditions for the use of the software, and if you are a consumer, Dell accepts software returns within 7 working days after the delivery of the software, and Dell will refund the price you paid for the software.

Since many of these policies seem to be on a national (or maybe even regional) level, it often seems useful to provide region-specific information about refunds or the possibility to buy systems without Windows. For that purpose we started a Dutch site providing such information, eigen-pc.nl.

As a final remark: it may be even better to ask your vendor over the phone if you can order a machine without Windows, this may be less work for both sides.