Windows Mobile Marketplace off to a bad start?

The Enquirer reports that the Windows Mobile Marketplace, which has recently opened its doors to developers, has already run into major problems. Issues range from credit cards used for paying the registration free being rejected arbitrarily to students, who should be registering for free under the DreamsSparks program not being given the option.

“As I try to register, all goes well until I am asked to pay the registration fee, something I am not required to pay, as Microsoft says, but there is no way to let the system know that I am a student and skip the page.”

Further problems were the archaic identify verification process developers have to go through, with them having to send in a ID documents signed by a Public Notary.  At the same time while that side of Microsoft’s security is tight they have refused to inform developers how they intend to protect their applications once it hits the Marketplace.

Says Microsoft spokesman Inigo Lopez said, “Security is an important aspect and we want developer to focus their time on developing great applications as opposed to implementing security measures. More details on how Windows Marketplace will ensure applications are not illegally copied will be shared in the coming months.”

The biggest issue appears to be the certification fee associated with each application (after the 5th) with applications which were rejected the first time being counted as a new submission when the developer tries again.

Says one developer: “Blackberry does testing for free, Apple does testing for free too, as do Nokia and Android. All of these companies have fewer staff than Microsoft and are able to cope. Microsoft, a giant with 90,000 employees, cannot do the testing in house and needs an outside company to do it for them? Why is this?”

We hope for a good compelling service with Marketplace, but our doubts are increasing by the day. Read the full tale of woe at the Enquirer.net here.