Bait-and-switch Software Scheme?
A change in the upgrade path, or bait-and-switch?
A software company offers an expensive program for nearly free to professionals for 1 year use, and promises in writing that one can pay a set amount to get that same program permanently. They also sponsor training websites and a community.
Many are thrilled, sign up, tell their friends, and join this community.
Then the company sends a letter to them stating that a new version will be available, with many of the features taken out and put into the original expensive version. It also states that the only valid upgrade path now is to the apparently crippled version.
Do you agree that this is deceptive? False advertising? Or, because the offer was inexpensive, the users should just accept that it was inevitable that they would not get to have the product without paying full price (despite being told otherwise)?
Personally, I think this is Bait-and-Switch advertising, considered by most to be dubious business practice.
A software company offers an expensive program for nearly free to professionals for 1 year use, and promises in writing that one can pay a set amount to get that same program permanently. They also sponsor training websites and a community.
Many are thrilled, sign up, tell their friends, and join this community.
Then the company sends a letter to them stating that a new version will be available, with many of the features taken out and put into the original expensive version. It also states that the only valid upgrade path now is to the apparently crippled version.
Do you agree that this is deceptive? False advertising? Or, because the offer was inexpensive, the users should just accept that it was inevitable that they would not get to have the product without paying full price (despite being told otherwise)?
Personally, I think this is Bait-and-Switch advertising, considered by most to be dubious business practice.
Labels: software
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