Marketplace sign-up impossible, Non-US developers rejected

Question

Tried signing up for Marketplace today. Got stuck on four levels:

- Bank Routing Number required, but we have BIC/SWIFT here in Europe
- Doesn't accept European VAT numbers
- Doesn't accept European creditcards (U.S. card and address required)
- Doesn't accept Paypal or other means of payment

Now I'm starting to understand why the press writes that only 600 apps will be available at launch.....
We have 5 Windows Mobile apps ready, but it seems impossible to submit them.

Answer 1

MS seems to like Americans because they provide most income and it's because in US there's their HQ.
Also they hate Europe for our stupid EU law regulations (personally I think MS should include in Windows whatever they want - why EU doesn't look at Google or Apple!) and that's why EU countries will be last who will get Marketplace permissions :).

Politics, politics, politics...

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If You'll find my answer satisfactory or helpful - mark it as answered! Thank You. PS. Votes also doesn't hurt :).

Answer 2

But, when it comes to sales, that very same Microsoft seems to love the Non-US parts of the world... They like to say that WM is the most-widely used smartphone OS "World-Wide "...

What kind of rubbish is this? (Oh, I'm being funny I guess... It's just like Microsoft! Silly and nonsense, as ever it is)

Answer 3

Hi vincent_v,

Thanks for your interest in Windows Marketplace, and we are sorry to hear you are experiencing this problem. What country are you trying to register from? We are still only accepting registrations from a small number of English markets, and will soon open up to the rest. Look for news in mid July.

Thanks,

Inigo

Answer 4

Hmmm, interesting reply...

But is it not weird that, some devices with WM6.5 are said to be released, together with Windows Marketplace and Microsoft is still "trying" to clear issues on app/people registrations? We're here, at the end of June... Will developers really have the time to provide us the same experience that iPhone-pals have been enjoying from the very start?

This approach makes me feel unworthy, for paying a device with WM... I can't get rid of it, but I still curse it nearly everyday (it=my choice). And, Microsoft has a few chances to change it. Otherwise, neither the Microsoft name nor manufacturer efforts won't be enough to keep people dedicated to Windows Mobile products, unfortunately.

I hope the decision-makers at Microsoft are aware of this issue.

Answer 5

Dear all ,

I just want to tell you one thing MSFT is MSFT. 
( e.g. see the reply of Indigo.)  :-)

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Thanks Mohsin S.

Answer 6

Such MSsness can be seen not only with Marketplace but also in their other services.
Examples are: MS Essentials - first only for US people, Bing - first only for US people, MS competitions (Naughty by Nature) and more. I though that MS is beyond country borders and their products and support are for everyone. I suppose we were all wrong. It's just another country-bind company which motto is "pay first, then wait untill we'll create this".
Ehh, nothing changes - so many possibilities and so many dissapointments.

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If You'll find my answer satisfactory or helpful - mark it as answered! Thank You. PS. Votes also doesn't hurt :).

Answer 7

I'm in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. If we're allowed access in mid-July, will there be enough time for our apps to be included at launch? It seems from press reports as if the marketplace will start with 600 US-only apps. Or is that not the case?

Answer 8

Same here, card not accepted.