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Upgrade Policy (reaction to reaction)

Feedback Type:  Developer Note

Contributed by: Wednesday, February 20 2008 @ 12:00 AM PST

Product Platform: MacOSX

Used Product For: Over One Year

Thank you for your comments, epc. Great things come from open, constructive communication and I'm happy to continue this conversation as such.

I'd like to clarify our pricing policy, originally laid out here.

During our beta period (scheduled to end March 27th, 2008), anyone who owns Freeway 4 Pro regardless of purchase date can order the upgrade to Freeway 5 Pro for $69. This places the total cost of Freeway 5 Pro for macZOT! buyers at $168. This is $31 less than a full version of Freeway 5 Pro during this beta period, and $81 less than the regular retail price of $249. Feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive about this.

Of course, anyone who purchased Freeway 4 after January 1, 2008 is entitled to a free upgrade to Freeway 5 when released.

We don't want to call out specifics, but the upgrade policies of most major software companies are nowhere near this generous in our experience. The total cost of the old and the new version is usually far higher than the retail cost of the software, not less.

Again, I appreciate your comments. Softpress customers are great people, and we would never dream of betraying their trust and goodwill. We work every day to make great software and support our users in any way we can. The moment we start misleading them is the day we might as well shut our doors.

Ian Schray
US Marketing Manager
Softpress Systems Ltd
www.softpress.com
ischray [at] softpress [dot] com   

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3 comments |

Upgrade Policy (reaction to reaction) - MacAdict4Life

Honestly, it sounds like those who bought 4 in December are getting a good deal. A great price if you're happy with what you have, and still a great price (substantially less than full price) if you want 5. There's always a cutoff day, and anyone on the wrong side of it will always feel slighted.

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Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 09:59 AM PST


Upgrade Policy (reaction to reaction) - lfees1

I would like to provide independent support of Ian and, not only their upgrade policies, their overall customer orientation. As you can tell from Ian's response they truly "Get It". The people at Softpress (granted I've only exchanged email with a handful) all seem to practice "Quality" not just talk about it.

They provide quality products, quality support, and quality processes.

They are far and away the most reasonable and considerate software company with whom I have ever worked - and I've been a customer of all the big ones and many small ones.

This post is not to take one side or the other regarding their policy. I just wanted to make sure that anyone who might find their way to this forum/board has the benefit of a long time customer of Softpress.

lfees1@gmail.com

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Monday, March 03 2008 @ 11:10 AM PST


Upgrade Policy (reaction to reaction) - epc

lfees1, are you serious when you write "As you can tell from Ian's response they truly "Get It""?

In spite of the fact that this is your only post here at VersionTracker, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and will consider you an honest and independent supporter of Softpress.

When you say "They are far and away the most reasonable and considerate software company with whom I have ever worked - and I've been a customer of all the big ones and many small ones" it sounds quite biased, but that's OK.
I have not dealt with all the big ones. I wouldn't know who they all are. I have purchased thousands of programs, shareware, donationware, and commercial software. I have seen this type of behavior only 4 times, most recently by Rapidweaver and Yazsoft (which I like in spite of the MacHeist fiasco).
Softpress is far from being reasonable or considerate in my "limited" experience with software companies. Maybe I've been spoiled by dealing with some wonderful developers.

But its very difficult to take your comment seriously. Ian is basically saying that people who RECENTLY purchased their product will have to pay almost 70% of what they already paid if they want to have the new version.
He makes it sound like a good deal, and I guess that's why he's a marketing manager.
For those who purchased the software thinking that they were getting a good deal, spending an additional 70% is not that attractive.
And remember to hurry, offer ends soon...

Some people may prefer getting Sandvox Pro for roughly the same amount. $79 for new software from a great company vs. $69 for an upgrade from Softpress.

Softpress definitely does not "Get It." Unless "Getting It" means having the short-term vision of making sales while alienating recent customers. Who knows, maybe there aren't that many of us.
Will I buy the upgrade? Maybe. I'm about to buy 2 other programs ($499.95 and $1699.00). I might as well upgrade and move on to more productive things.
Will I recommend Softpress or Freeway Pro to friends and colleagues? Absolutely not.

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Monday, March 03 2008 @ 12:47 PM PST