software price rant

Mr_P · 26 Feb 2014

Purchased an old cheap engraving machine but it did come with a fancy new control box from America so sent them an email asking if they could help with drivers / software and this was the reply.

Congratulations!

Our latest software is compatible with Win XP 32 bit, Win 7 32/64 bit, and Win 8 32/64 bit operating systems. You need to tell us the operating system you are going to use. We will send you that very version.

Please, provide complete information on your company name, address, phone numbers, etc. to set you up on our database. This will help us to provide proper support now and in future.

The price for the software is $499 USD. Shipping charges for the software to UK are $35.

The price includes our phone support for 30 days and email support for 60 days.

We accept payment by PayPal. If you prefer a bank transfer, we will be happy to provide all the bank details.

Look forward to serving you soon.

Regards.

Sales Group

$35 dollars for shipping IT's A CD aaaggghhhhh

and the final nail in their coffin: email support for 60 days, jeez very generous NOT at that price I want a year even better 3 years or life.

Rant over, apologies and thanks for reading.

Stu_2 · 27 Feb 2014

No need for an apology. That would make me rant, too.

What software is it?

Mr_P · 27 Feb 2014

Thanks Stu, software is bit of an exaggeration it's more of a printer driver than anything.

Won't name and shame them as it might improve their google ranking.

Not to worry need to get get mach 3 anyway and a brand new interface card won't cost much.

cambournepete · 27 Feb 2014

An it's specialised software it probably took a long time to develop and test and given it's probably limited market I'm not at all surprised by the cost. Software engineers have to make a living as well you know...

defsdoor · 27 Feb 2014

It's more likely that they know their time is limited with opensource hardware and software taking giant strides in these arenas. Grab the cash while they can.

Eric The Viking · 27 Feb 2014

defsdoor":31r5qzyo said:
It's more likely that they know their time is limited with opensource hardware and software taking giant strides in these arenas. Grab the cash while they can.

It doesn't sound like you've ever developed/sold software commercially.

Not saying it's cheap, but the model is total absorption costing (TAC).

If you only sell few units...