The same week it launched a new financing program for Xbox[1], Microsoft is shutting down its Surface financing program for consumers. And -- surprise -- today, August 31, is the day the program is ending.
As first reported by OnMSFT.com[2], Microsoft posted a notice on its Surface Plus information page[3] noting that the company has decided to end new enrollments to the Surface Plus Program, starting August 31, 2018. There's a brief statement to that effect on the Surface Plus page:
"Microsoft is ending new enrollment into the Surface Plus Program, financed by Klarna, starting August 31st, 2018."
A Surface Plus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ[4]) explains what happens to those already enrolled in the program. (Short answer: Nothing -- those enrolled continue with payments, etc., as planned.)
The business version of this program, known as Surface Plus for Busines[5]s, doesn't seem to be shutting down -- at least based on its web page.
Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft introduced Surface Plus financing programs for both consumers and small/mid-size businesses SMBs[6] on August 1, 2017. Students seemed to be one of the primary targets of the consumer program.
Via Surface Plus, new Surface Pros could be purchased for $34 per month for 24 months; Surface Laptops for $42 per month for 24 months; and Surface Books for $63 per month for 24 months. Payment plans were arranged with Klarna Inc., which offered a 24-month payment plan at zero APR.
I've asked Microsoft why it decided to shut down the Surface Plus program. No word back so far.
I'm wondering whether Microsoft may be moving Surface Plus financing to another financier, such as Dell Preferred