Everything We Wanted?

[bdh]

Hi,

My first post and in a lot of ways I hope not my last here. I have been a long time user of MW and lurked here just recently since MW2010 was released. What a wonderful incarnation of our fave prog! I haven't downloaded and installed the latest yet as I am yet to fully come to terms with the *principle* over-riding the fee structure. The marketing hype goes: "Re-styled, re-written and vastly improved, it's what you've been asking for". Really? As I've said the new interface is wonderful and, aside from the bugs reported in the forums, probably a very accomplished piece of work. But I find the pricing structure unsettling (not the PRICE) Have we been 'asking' to be kept on tenderhooks to see if Firetrust stays in business to keep our version of MW running? Have we been asking to pay ransom-ware premiums every year to keep our MW running? I think not. As for cloaking the true charging structure from view on their website, well, don't get me started on that. Some unkinder than I may even go so far as to call that deceptive.

Please believe my intent here - I'm not simply wanting to have a bitch about this, much to the contrary. I hope my comments can be construed as constructive and helpful in getting this ill-conceived pricing changed. It is the PRINCIPLE I am protesting against here. I am only stating what I believe a great many supporters of MW are thinking and feeling. I truly believe that a one-off (higher) price should be asked and then be done with it. Now, Firetrust will of course site examples such as Symantec and the way they charge for their very capable security program NIS. Fine, buyers of that product can decide for themselves. An example I would like to quote is that of MaceCraft, the developers of JV16 Powertools. They have a tiered pricing level and if you choose to pay the top tier you then have a 'Platinum' licence for life. What a wonderful and UPFRONT way to engender loyalty!! Much classier than putting your hand out each year for a ransome-ware bribe . . .

I will offer a second option to Firetrust for their consideration - a CHOICE for the buyer. Why not simply KEEP your current pricing in place (yearly subscription) AND offer an alternative to your customers. You can offer the choice between $10/year or an upfraont fee of Firetrust's choosing. I would be prepared to place a bet that within 6 months, a year at most, that Firetrust would not only be selling more but selling them mostly for an upfront fee. People don't like uncertainty - the idea that the annual fee could rise each year. If Firestrust deems it necessary to ensure their income each year in addition to an upfront fee then charge a nominal *optional* support fee AFTER the first 12 months. But don't stop the product from working due to no fee - not under ANY circumstances. It reeks of deceit and strongarm tactics.

Again, I do hope the powers that be take my comments in the spirit in which they are offered - from a long time user who would like to see Firetrust around for many years to come but as a company which offers customers a choice rather than riding shotgun over them for more money each and every year. Thank you for your time - bdh (Sydney Australia)

[rusticdog]

Great post

I think you've summed things up really nicely, so I can't help but nod and so will pass it on to The Big Cheese. I really think things would be better off if there was a lifetime license option, so long as it was reasonably priced.

[stan_qaz]

If you folks can't come up with something new in MW every year to make it worth $10.00 to upgrade and get the new feature I'd be surprised.

Same goes for offering additional remote server based services like FirstAlert, there are a lot of things out there that could be added into MW to improve spam detection or even help in stopping spam that would be worth paying an ongoing fee to have access to.

I'd say given the Firetrust history you would be better off having the programmers add value than the marketers try to squeeze out every drop of profit. Happy customers tell friends and buy copies for family as gifts and increase your profits. Not likely to happen if the "gift" comes with another annual bill attached!

[mcullet]

Great post bdh - respectful, reasoned argument with reasonable suggestions / alternatives - excellent stuff and thank you taking the time to post it here.

I have different views about the pricing policy but I read your post and at least I am reconsidering my position.

Hope you hang around.

[bdh]

Thank you fellow 'forumers', I hope my comments can indeed make a change for the better. No reason everybody can't win. Cheers, bdh.

[Eno]

I think you've summed things up really nicely, so I can't help but nod and so will pass it on to The Big Cheese. I really think things would be better off if there was a lifetime license option, so long as it was reasonably priced.

But havant some of us allready got a "lifetime licence" ?
I thought I did.

Saying that I have paid for the "upgrade” because I thought wrongly that I would be nice and help with development costs a bit.
But then I found out about the software not working after a year, for me firetrust has lost a lot of goodwill over this.

I have now gone back to using 6.5.4 it works well and in the past i have recommended it to quite a few people who then went on and registered it themselves.
I certainly will not be giving any more recommendations to others unless it stops being time limited rent ware to being just upgrades if chosen are paid for.

[rusticdog]

That's fine, this isn't a forced change. People who don't want to move across can easily stick with the existing MailWasher and there will be no further charges. More here http://forum.firetrust.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6550

[ou812]

I'm certainly not happy about this. I've been using MailWasher since the early days, before there was a Pro version (I have version 1.3 in an old backup). I gladly paid the $39.00 for the Pro version, secure in the knowledge that it was a one time fee................ Nick told us it was for lifetime.
==========================================================================================================================================

http://www.dnforum.com/f77/mailwasher-2 ... 23283.html

03-14-2003 10:48 PM

Mailwasher is going paid

Hello,

It's Nick Bolton from MailWasher.net here updating you on exciting changes to MailWasher anti-spam software.

Contents

Announcement: MailWasher Pro
New: Benign e-mail neutralizer
Coming soon: CFS global message database
New: Affiliate/Reseller program


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Announcement: MailWasher Pro

I've wanted to enhance MailWasher's position as a serious spam fighter in the market, so I've been working on a PRO version of MailWasher which is now complete and being sold from a newly branded web site.

http://www.firetrust.com

But I haven't forgotten about you! To, all my loyal users who chose to support me with donations, referrals and suggestions to get MailWasher to where it is now, I thank you! As initially promised you will still get lifetime free upgrades and support. You will also get a free copy of MailWasher Pro! This new version has a better and more easier to use interface and ALL new development will be concentrated on this version. I'm sure you will like it. You can read about MailWasher Pro here:

http://www.firetrust.com/products/mailwasherpro/

To get your free version, head to http://www.firetrust.com/mwupgrade/ for instructions. The old free version is still available from http://www.mailwasher.net but will not be developed further and is limited in various ways.
===========================================================================================================================================


Firetrust told us is was a lifetime upgrade guarantee!.....
===========================================================================================================================================
http://old.firetrust.com/products/mailw ... washer-pro

Download MailWasher Pro now and receive a fully functional trial version to use for up to 30 days - FREE.

After this you can buy your copy of MailWasher Pro absolutely risk free as MailWasher Pro comes with a 6 month money back and lifetime upgrade guarantee!

Buy Now for only $39.95 (USD)
==========================================================================================================================================

So a guarantee from Firetrust means what exactly?
I like the new version, and would be willing to cough up another $10, if the situation had been explained, instead of being informed I will pay, or I will not be able to use the new version.
$10 a year to keep the new version working means I'm just renting the program. Just doesn't sit well with me.
Firetrust, has lost my TRUST.

[Sidewinder]

I'm certainly not happy about this. I've been using MailWasher since the early days, before there was a Pro version (I have version 1.3 in an old backup). I gladly paid the $39.00 for the Pro version, secure in the knowledge that it was a one time fee................ Nick told us it was for lifetime.
==========================================================================================================================================

http://www.dnforum.com/f77/mailwasher-2 ... 23283.html

03-14-2003 10:48 PM

Mailwasher is going paid

Hello,

It's Nick Bolton from MailWasher.net here updating you on exciting changes to MailWasher anti-spam software.

Contents

Announcement: MailWasher Pro
New: Benign e-mail neutralizer
Coming soon: CFS global message database
New: Affiliate/Reseller program


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Announcement: MailWasher Pro

I've wanted to enhance MailWasher's position as a serious spam fighter in the market, so I've been working on a PRO version of MailWasher which is now complete and being sold from a newly branded web site.

http://www.firetrust.com

But I haven't forgotten about you! To, all my loyal users who chose to support me with donations, referrals and suggestions to get MailWasher to where it is now, I thank you! As initially promised you will still get lifetime free upgrades and support. You will also get a free copy of MailWasher Pro! This new version has a better and more easier to use interface and ALL new development will be concentrated on this version. I'm sure you will like it. You can read about MailWasher Pro here:

http://www.firetrust.com/products/mailwasherpro/

To get your free version, head to http://www.firetrust.com/mwupgrade/ for instructions. The old free version is still available from http://www.mailwasher.net but will not be developed further and is limited in various ways.
===========================================================================================================================================


Firetrust told us is was a lifetime upgrade guarantee!.....
===========================================================================================================================================
http://old.firetrust.com/products/mailw ... washer-pro

Download MailWasher Pro now and receive a fully functional trial version to use for up to 30 days - FREE.

After this you can buy your copy of MailWasher Pro absolutely risk free as MailWasher Pro comes with a 6 month money back and lifetime upgrade guarantee!

Buy Now for only $39.95 (USD)
==========================================================================================================================================

So a guarantee from Firetrust means what exactly?
I like the new version, and would be willing to cough up another $10, if the situation had been explained, instead of being informed I will pay, or I will not be able to use the new version.
$10 a year to keep the new version working means I'm just renting the program. Just doesn't sit well with me.
Firetrust, has lost my TRUST.

You have obviously gotten more than you moneys worth in free upgrades and support with the prior version. MWP2010 is a new product from the ground up. If you read your software licenses carefully you will find that you don't own any of the programs but just have the legal "right to use".

[ou812]

You have obviously gotten more than you moneys worth in free upgrades and support with the prior version. MWP2010 is a new product from the ground up. If you read your software licenses carefully you will find that you don't own any of the programs but just have the legal "right to use".

Whether I've gotten my moneys worth or not is beside the point. The fact that MWP2010 is new is also irrelevant. It's still MailWasher Pro, and a guarantee of lifetime upgrades is supposed to mean something. Had I purchased the app from the government, I wouldn't be surprised by a guarantee that means nothing, but I didn't buy from the government.
I understand that I never really own a program, but that doesn't make your argument any less specious. We were guaranteed upgrades for life. The fact that MWP2010 is a major upgrade, doesn't change the fact that Firetrust's guarantee obviously means nothing.

[stan_qaz]

You are still going to get any upgrades done to MW version 6 which is what you licensed, they are going to be limited to bug-fixes as far as I can tell, but you will be able to get them.

2010 is a completely new product, not an upgrade. If they had changed the name a bit more then this wouldn't be an issue with folks picking nits over the name being the same so they should get it for free. If their e-mail writer had any sense and had avoided the word upgrade that would have helped too.

No way I can defend the failure to include the annual fee in the e-mail, I sent a complaint about that to Firetrust but haven't gotten a response from the people responsible for it.

[Eno]

But havant some of us allready got a "lifetime licence" ?
I thought I did.

That's fine, this isn't a forced change. People who don't want to move across can easily stick with the existing MailWasher and there will be no further charges. More here http://forum.firetrust.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6550

But I was told I had a "lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"
so version numbers should not matter or come into it.

To me a lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro means just that
"A Lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"

It seems I am not the only one who was told and understood it that way.

[Sidewinder]

But I was told I had a "lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"
so version numbers should not matter or come into it. To me a lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro means just that
"A Lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"

You did and still do for the product that you licensed e.g. V6.x

This is not a version number change e.g. to V7 but an entirely "new" product (MWP 2010)from the ground up. FT then established a "new" pricing plan and licensing policy for the "new" product. Not unlike other vendors when they create a new product offering.

[Eno]

But I was told I had a "lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"
so version numbers should not matter or come into it. To me a lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro means just that
"A Lifetime licence for Mailwasher Pro"

You did and still do for the product that you licensed e.g. V6.x

This is not a version number change e.g. to V7 but an entirely "new" product (MWP 2010)from the ground up. FT then established a "new" pricing plan and licensing policy for the "new" product. Not unlike other vendors when they create a new product offering.

As I understood Mailwasher Pro is Mailwasher pro and as the lifetime licence was for mailwasher pro and future updates that is what I should get (no mention about V6 - etc).
In effect firetrust gave a contract to me for this.

Has Firetrust taken independandant legal advice concerning this point about this contract that seems to now been broken to so many

[rusticdog]

Has Firetrust taken independandant legal advice concerning this point about this contract that seems to now been broken to so many

Any legal advice Firetrust takes would be private between Firetrust Limited and the legal service they employ.

You still have a lifetime license for the software you purchased. This new software isn't covered by that agreement, in the License Agreement (if you want to get technical) you also agreed that Firetrust can make changes at any time

Amendments to this agreement

Firetrust may amend this agreement at any time by advising you by email or by posting the amended agreement on the www.firetrust.com website. Your continued use of the Service will be deemed to be acceptance of the amended agreement.