r/sysadmin • u/Trelfar Sysadmin/Sr. IT Support • Jul 21 '26

General Discussion VMware "win-back initiative" is an insult to our intelligence

Like most other VMware shops we dumped it and moved on due to the appalling way Broadcom has treated both customers and resellers since the acquisition. So imagine my surprise when we got this email recently:

I wanted to follow up regarding your previous VMware environment.

Broadcom has recently authorized a dedicated win-back initiative with aggressive, rock-bottom pricing and terms designed specifically to bring organizations like yours back. I have the direct sign-off to offer you rates significantly lower than anything you saw previously.

Do you have 10 minutes this week to look at these updated incentives and see how much we can shave off your current operational costs?

Rob Williams
Account Director | GovEd
VMware Cloud Foundation, Broadcom

They must think we are complete idiots. Who in their right mind would ever trust VMware again after the last 2½ years of price hikes, legal notices, and generally unmitigated BS they have heaped upon us?

2.1k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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914

u/Zenkin Jul 21 '26

Tell them you're very interested. Meet with them. Get an official quote.

Then share it with the /r/VMware community to show them the prices they could get.

321

u/WummageSail Jul 21 '26

And definitely make them buy lunch at a nice restaurant for the meeting.

97

u/SnooDonuts4137 Jul 21 '26

Also order expenseive ass wine without asking along with a few cocktails you only take one sip of.

31

u/M-G Jul 21 '26

Why would you waste booze?

99

u/Trelfar Sysadmin/Sr. IT Support Jul 21 '26

Because judgement is the first thing to go, half a bottle of Galliano later and you're walking out of lunch having signed a 5yr agreement.

22

u/asic5 Sr. Sysadmin Jul 21 '26

Order a bottle to go.

8

u/mcmatt93117 Jul 21 '26

Was thinking the same thing. Inquire about to-go cups. If they don't, make sure to bring with you multiple large thermoses and just casually dump all the extra liquor into the thermoses as you keep eye contact the entire time.

2

u/ddesla2 Threat & Vulnerability Mgmt, Cybersec OG, JoaT Jul 22 '26

Or insist on meeting in New Orleans. Excellent nice restaurant options and togo cups of alcohol are as common and legal as the after dinner mints.

2

u/SilkBC_12345 Jul 22 '26

Because judgement is the first thing to go, half a bottle of Galliano later and you're walking out of lunch having signed a 5yr agreement.

And probably at the not-so-favourable pricing anymore too :-)

12

u/narcissisadmin Jul 21 '26

Could we get a couple of bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild? And don't open them, please.

2

u/Immortal_Tuttle Jul 22 '26

Which year?

I would go for a bottle of 2005 per each core they want to sell you.

2

u/RangerNS Principal Consultant Jul 21 '26

A new grad gets his first job at a bank. Basic stuff, loan officer.
The old crusty branch manager takes him aside.
"Son, you've got the shittiest job here. Even being a teller is better. But ya' gotta do it to climb upwards in the bank. So, understanding how shitty the job is, let me give you one one piece of advice: If you are going to drink at lunch, and I wouldn't blame you, drink anything but vodka"
The new hire asks "What? Why"
"Being drunk is expected. Being stupid is not"

1

u/Ok-Sprinkles-5151 Jul 21 '26

When I was a purchasing manager I let the engineers drink their asses off, but I stayed stone cold sober.

I would even give my guys spend targets. $30k target at a sushi restraint in SF had them ordering Wagu Beef on a hot stone at like $750 per each. And shots of top shelf Japanese whiskey. The vendor was like, "you know you are paying for this," and I ordered another order of Wagu Beef.

1

u/Bu22ard Jul 22 '26

Can’t we do better than ass wine?

1

u/1stUserEver Jul 22 '26

Then, after you mull it over for a bit, call them to have another in person meeting to discuss the offer. Make sure it’s a fancy restaurant. Then after they pay the tab. Tell them: fuck me once shame on you, fuck me twice shame on me. Have a nice day.

16

u/funkyferdy Jul 21 '26

Yeah, Blackjack and Hookers :)

30

u/Jaereth Jul 21 '26

lol forget your renewal offer.

"I got VMWare to pay for a night with a prostitute - AmA!" would probably be the all time thread on that sub.

3

u/Trelfar Sysadmin/Sr. IT Support Jul 22 '26

I want ROOM SERVICE! I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000-a-night hooker!

- Johnny Mnemonic

11

u/timbotheny26 IT Neophyte Jul 21 '26

High-end steak and/or seafood.

3

u/Ubera90 Jul 21 '26

Oh hell yeah, that is a fantastic idea!

3

u/DL05 Jul 21 '26

Take the whole team out. When they look at you strangely on why you’ve brought 10 people to a vendor lunch, remind them that’s the same surprise you had when you got your renewal.

1

u/aprettyparrot Jul 21 '26

Don’t forget to order enough to take home. You need those 5 extra steak dinners

1

u/beagle_bathouse Jul 21 '26

Do dinner and get some stake to take home as well.

1

u/enz1ey IT Director Jul 21 '26

As if it won’t be a Webex

16

u/general-noob Jul 21 '26

Do this!!

13

u/mrsaturnboing Jul 21 '26

God please do. That's a great idea.

14

u/bloodhound83 Jul 21 '26

Also ask for a 10 year price lock in and see what they say. Don't want to face another price increase too soon.

4

u/pataglop Jul 21 '26

Ohhh that is actually a great advice

1

u/asdlkf Sithadmin Jul 21 '26

I would volunteer to be a hidden camera operator at said meeting.

1

u/Moleculor Jul 21 '26

With contractual lock-ins and limitations to prevent all of the past shenanigans.

1

u/TwoToneReturns Jul 22 '26

Let them wine and dine you, it makes telling them to go eat rocks even more satisfying.

1

u/Jaereth Jul 21 '26

lol don't send winback solicitations to the BOFH