Akvis plugins - upgrade policy, options

[Steve Conway]

See

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-resources/27450-akvis-sketch-9-thoughts-upgrade-etc.html


...for version 9 technical discussion.


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Upgrade policy (the topic of this newly created thread) is worthy of separate discussion.

-dannyr-

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This may be a good upgrade to Akvis sketch 8.6. As a loyal Akvis customer (I have 4 of your programs), I will have to say I was a bit disappointed that users of sketch from the start will now have to buy this upgrade.

Steve C.

[akvis]

Steve,
This is the first time since our first release of Sketch (9 versions ago) that we have charged for an upgrade. Consider that other companies charge for each new release of their products, sometimes offering only a small discount.
We do not intend at this time to charge for future versions.

Andrew,
Thank you for your kind words! We hope that our software is helpful and fun to use.


Kat

[Robbie R]

Originally Posted by akvis

Steve,
This is the first time since our first release of Sketch (9 versions ago) that we have charged for an upgrade. Consider that other companies charge for each new release of their products, sometimes offering only a small discount.
We do not intend at this time to charge for future versions.

Kat

I found this thread (and site which looks great by the way) while looking for reviews on Sketch version 9 to see if the upgrade was worth investing in and I just wanted to throw in my opinion for what it's worth.

I just bought version 8.x six months ago so the $39 upgrade stings. For users that have been using your product for quite some time I can understand the $39 cost but for those of us who just shelled out $72 the upgrade seems high. How about emailing all your customers who've bought in 2009 a discount coupon for a few bucks off to help salve the wound?

The poor folks who bought in May and June are in even worse shape than I am.

[akvis]

Hi Robbie!

We offered our customers that "who bought the program in July-August 2009 can upgrade the program for free".

Hm.. we can give you a discount, I'll write you a PM.


Kat

[Robbie R]

Thanks!

I downloaded version 9 yesterday and it looks great. I noticed a speed improvement right off.

[Steve Conway]

Originally Posted by Robbie R

I found this thread (and site which looks great by the way) while looking for reviews on Sketch version 9 to see if the upgrade was worth investing in and I just wanted to throw in my opinion for what it's worth.

I just bought version 8.x six months ago so the $39 upgrade stings. For users that have been using your product for quite some time I can understand the $39 cost but for those of us who just shelled out $72 the upgrade seems high. How about emailing all your customers who've bought in 2009 a discount coupon for a few bucks off to help salve the wound?

The poor folks who bought in May and June are in even worse shape than I am.

Will be interesting to see what kind of discount they offer you.

I have been using sketch since the beginning, or nearly so, and they offered me nothing except the measly 10% that all users get. All previous upgrades were free to Akvis customers.

I have purchased four of their products, but I guess loyalty is not enough anymore.

Steve C.

[Andrew B.]

FWIW, you can win a free copy of Akvis Sketch. The contest ends Sept. 13, 2009.

[akvis]

Hi guys,

If you are a loyal customer and want a discount why don't you ask us directly? When we
receive requests for discounts we can go ahead and give it. Each case is considered
individually.

For example, if one wants several AKVIS programs, or already has several and wants
another, he or she can ask - and we usually give an extra discount. Or give discounts for
students and teachers if they ask.

Whomever wants - should just ask.

I already wrote about the upgrade. It's very small sum for version 9.0.

You can stay with version 8.6 - it's a quite good version too. What prevents you from staying with version 8.6?

We keep old versions at akvis.com and give you a link and send a reminder of your key if you ask. Our support is quite friendly, just contact them if you have questions.

Also, this topic is about the Sketch features, if you want to discuss anything else please
visit the Vendor Support forum http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/akvis-support-forum/


Kat

[Steve Conway]

Originally Posted by skydog

If I down load the new version will it mess up the old version if I decide not to purchase?

I agree with you Steve. I realize these guys need to make some profit for their efforts, but the discount should be greater.

I'm still have issues with there 10 day evaluation policy and this is not the norm...most companies provide 30 day evaluation.

A good customer model at the moment is Topaz...great products, great prices, great support...my 2 cents.

Couldn't have said it better.

Thanks.

Steve C.

[DannyRaphael]

See

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-resources/27450-akvis-sketch-9-thoughts-upgrade-etc.html

...for version 9 technical discussion.

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Upgrade policy is a worthy, but different topic.

[Fragg]

An upgrade at half the price of the full version is not bad, (if you are buying something like Photoshop) but it's not great if you are buying software that is more limited like AKVIS Sketch. I'm not trying to insult AKVIS, I like their products and have AKVIS Sketch 8.6 which I really like. I just think the upgrade price is too high for the features that were changed. In other words, the degree of changes to the program does not appear proportional to the upgrade price.

[akvis]

Originally Posted by Fragg

An upgrade at half the price of the full version is not bad, (if you are buying something like Photoshop) but it's not great if you are buying software that is more limited like AKVIS Sketch. I'm not trying to insult AKVIS, I like their products and have AKVIS Sketch 8.6 which I really like. I just think the upgrade price is too high for the features that were changed. In other words, the degree of changes to the program does not appear proportional to the upgrade price.

We think that version 9 is at least a 50 % improvement over our first version.
Also, we sell you the upgrade not only for this version (9.0) but for future versions.
We will only charge for an upgrade once, so if you want to wait until version 11 or 12 and upgrade then, you will be charged this modest sum.


Kat

[Valle]

Originally Posted by Fragg

I just think the upgrade price is too high for the features that were changed. In other words, the degree of changes to the program does not appear proportional to the upgrade price.

According to the marginal economic theory , value is a subjective concept. So everyone can decide for himself if the upgrade is worth the money. If we look from the developer's point of view - they also have to decide whether they want to develop the program further and offer the upgrade for free.

I'm a loyal customer of Microsoft (out of necessity), but still they are not dying to give me a free license to Windows 7.