Comments on: Web Software Seller Won't Take No for an Answer http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 08:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: HalSF http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-448268 HalSF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448268 It's really too bad RapidWeaver got tangled up in this nano-mess, because the software's great; the community of users, theme and plug-in makers, and tutorial publishers is equally great; and I've seen nothing but good vibes and creative excellence from the whole crew at Realmac and beyond. Nik Fletcher's engagement and involvement in the comments above is typical. Good stuff. If there's gonna be commercial software and Macs at'all - and I love everything about the free and open software movement except the Talibanish nuke-the-proprietary-code-capitalists-from-orbit wing - then the struggling Brits behind RapidWeaver represent the best of that world. It’s really too bad RapidWeaver got tangled up in this nano-mess, because the software’s great; the community of users, theme and plug-in makers, and tutorial publishers is equally great; and I’ve seen nothing but good vibes and creative excellence from the whole crew at Realmac and beyond. Nik Fletcher’s engagement and involvement in the comments above is typical. Good stuff.

If there’s gonna be commercial software and Macs at’all – and I love everything about the free and open software movement except the Talibanish nuke-the-proprietary-code-capitalists-from-orbit wing – then the struggling Brits behind RapidWeaver represent the best of that world.

]]> By: mneptok http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447248 mneptok Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447248 I wonder how long it will be before I hear the old fallacy that commercial software provides a better user experience than Free software. I wonder how long it will be before I hear the old fallacy that commercial software provides a better user experience than Free software.

]]> By: Daemon http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446996 Daemon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446996 Sounds like they are doing the same thing Ticketmaster, most airlines and phone companies do... advertise a lower price then jack it on you when you pay, due to an array of non-optional (and in the case of Ticketmaster at least, entirely spurious) fees. Sounds like they are doing the same thing Ticketmaster, most airlines and phone companies do… advertise a lower price then jack it on you when you pay, due to an array of non-optional (and in the case of Ticketmaster at least, entirely spurious) fees.

]]> By: freshyill http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447005 freshyill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447005 You think this is bad? Try dealing with Godaddy. You think this is bad? Try dealing with Godaddy.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447776 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447776 >eSellerate is owned by Digital River, which has a bad rep in the online payments world for "little extras" like this. That is the understatement of the week. Everyone in the business of selling software knows that Digital River regularly pulls stunts like this. They are (in)famous for it. So if RealMac are using Digital River, then they have only themself to blame when Digital Rivers tries to screw their customer. >eSellerate is owned by Digital River, which has a bad rep in the online payments world for “little extras” like this.

That is the understatement of the week. Everyone in the business of selling software knows that Digital River regularly pulls stunts like this. They are (in)famous for it. So if RealMac are using Digital River, then they have only themself to blame when Digital Rivers tries to screw their customer.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447274 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447274 The problem is with the payment processor, eSellerate. eSellerate is owned by Digital River, which has a bad rep in the online payments world for "little extras" like this. Here's a discussion on another Digital River subsidiary: http://successfulsoftware.net/2007/07/04/swreg-customers-beware/ The problem is with the payment processor, eSellerate. eSellerate is owned by Digital River, which has a bad rep in the online payments world for “little extras” like this. Here’s a discussion on another Digital River subsidiary:

http://successfulsoftware.net/2007/07/04/swreg-customers-beware/

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447019 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447019 reminds me of this strip: http://wondermark.com/471/ reminds me of this strip:
http://wondermark.com/471/

]]> By: Jewels Vern http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447032 Jewels Vern Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447032 I would pass this off as just another computerized mistake. As such it is a rather small one. Granted, it's odd that computerized mistakes almost never go in the customer's favor, but the salient factor here is that the company responded immediately and promises to check on it. If it were an outright scam the company would not have noticed the complaint at all, or would have offered some excuse. I'm willing to give the company the benefit of the doubt. Still, it's a problem that customers would prefer to download from other sources just because they are more convenient. Pardon my naivety, but why don't companies use the "other sources" as their resellers? I mean, since they do a much better job. I would pass this off as just another computerized mistake. As such it is a rather small one. Granted, it’s odd that computerized mistakes almost never go in the customer’s favor, but the salient factor here is that the company responded immediately and promises to check on it. If it were an outright scam the company would not have noticed the complaint at all, or would have offered some excuse. I’m willing to give the company the benefit of the doubt.

Still, it’s a problem that customers would prefer to download from other sources just because they are more convenient. Pardon my naivety, but why don’t companies use the “other sources” as their resellers? I mean, since they do a much better job.

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447292 Jerril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447292 #42, I say this with much love in my heart for free software, but it's not that free (or Free, or Open) software offers a better user experience, so much as the frustrations you can encounter with it don't have dollar signs attached. Both are capable of being horrible experiences, and both are capable of being fantastic. Which grates on you more when it all goes wrong, lost time or lost money, is a personal thing. (For me, it's lost money that sends me spiraling out the door, but that's because I have a fair amount of spare time and I like dinking around with my computer) #42, I say this with much love in my heart for free software, but it’s not that free (or Free, or Open) software offers a better user experience, so much as the frustrations you can encounter with it don’t have dollar signs attached.

Both are capable of being horrible experiences, and both are capable of being fantastic.

Which grates on you more when it all goes wrong, lost time or lost money, is a personal thing.

(For me, it’s lost money that sends me spiraling out the door, but that’s because I have a fair amount of spare time and I like dinking around with my computer)

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447041 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447041 @#30 POSTED BY DAEMON , MARCH 22, 2009 6:12 PM <blockquote>Sounds like they are doing the same thing Ticketmaster, most airlines and phone companies do...</blockquote> Not really. Ticketmaster and phone service resellers are scumbags who have setup their systems to game you at every turn. This simply seems like an honest mistake. Speaking of Ticketmaster, I truly miss the days when one had to *GASP* wait on a physical line to get tickets. Yeah, there were scalpers but it was actually a lot fairer than now. How the duck can anyone buy a ticket online when scalpers now have tons of robots, scripts and brokers slamming onto a site in one fell swoop to get tickets? That's a true example of how computerization has made it harder for casual users. @#30 POSTED BY DAEMON , MARCH 22, 2009 6:12 PM

Sounds like they are doing the same thing Ticketmaster, most airlines and phone companies do…

Not really. Ticketmaster and phone service resellers are scumbags who have setup their systems to game you at every turn.

This simply seems like an honest mistake.

Speaking of Ticketmaster, I truly miss the days when one had to *GASP* wait on a physical line to get tickets. Yeah, there were scalpers but it was actually a lot fairer than now.

How the duck can anyone buy a ticket online when scalpers now have tons of robots, scripts and brokers slamming onto a site in one fell swoop to get tickets? That’s a true example of how computerization has made it harder for casual users.

]]> By: jasonsanders http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447815 jasonsanders Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447815 A mistake is just an opportunity to improve the customer's experience, and I think Nik's done a great job. Hopefully RealMac can get the reseller sorted out. A mistake is just an opportunity to improve the customer’s experience, and I think Nik’s done a great job. Hopefully RealMac can get the reseller sorted out.

]]> By: toxonix http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447565 toxonix Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447565 Thats a bug. or a feature, I can't tell. Thats a bug. or a feature, I can’t tell.

]]> By: desii1 http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-552021 desii1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-552021 I had a major battle with Digital River last year over a unauthorized subscription charge for software I no longer used. It went on for many months until Visa saved me and refunded my money. It was about principal not the lousy $29! I just ran into them again at Logitech's WiLife Platinum, they refused me and said Visa rejected my card. Their representative said that I had to pay the $29 before THEY would accept my credit card. So they disparage my credit because of their dishonest practices. The message is: DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH DIGITAL RIVER OR ANY OF THEIR OTHER MANY NAMES LIKE SHARE-IT. I had a major battle with Digital River last year over a unauthorized subscription charge for software I no longer used. It went on for many months until Visa saved me and refunded my money. It was about principal not the lousy $29!

I just ran into them again at Logitech’s WiLife Platinum, they refused me and said Visa rejected my card. Their representative said that I had to pay the $29 before THEY would accept my credit card. So they disparage my credit because of their dishonest practices.

The message is: DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH DIGITAL RIVER OR ANY OF THEIR OTHER MANY NAMES LIKE SHARE-IT.

]]> By: oohShiny http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447068 oohShiny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447068 Oh, please don't compare this guy, who seems perfectly well meaning and respectful of his customers, with the fecal megalith that is ticketmaster. I got so fed up with their absurd, monopolistic, exploitative practices that now I simply don't attend concerts at ticketmaster-ticketed venues. Being from Toronto, I'm lucky in that I have alternatives. I think the straw that broke the camel's back for me was when they charged me 6 bucks per ticket for the convenience of printing my ticket out myself, on my own paper, with my own ink. The other option was to pay -more- and have them snail-mail my tickets to me. If Richard Branson wanted a dragon to slay in the name of the free market, it's right there for the killing. Oh, please don’t compare this guy, who seems perfectly well meaning and respectful of his customers, with the fecal megalith that is ticketmaster. I got so fed up with their absurd, monopolistic, exploitative practices that now I simply don’t attend concerts at ticketmaster-ticketed venues. Being from Toronto, I’m lucky in that I have alternatives. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when they charged me 6 bucks per ticket for the convenience of printing my ticket out myself, on my own paper, with my own ink. The other option was to pay -more- and have them snail-mail my tickets to me. If Richard Branson wanted a dragon to slay in the name of the free market, it’s right there for the killing.

]]> By: nonprophetone http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-451933 nonprophetone Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-451933 @ mgfarrelly & NiK Sooooo Typical....nothing happens. mgfarrelly... Thats why I vote with my feet...you stay put and get run over, thats what they want. Suckka! @ mgfarrelly & NiK

Sooooo

Typical….nothing happens.

mgfarrelly…
Thats why I vote with my feet…you stay put and get run over,
thats what they want. Suckka!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447075 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447075 Parallels had the exact same annoying checkout "option" last time I purchased -- same reseller perhaps? Parallels had the exact same annoying checkout “option” last time I purchased — same reseller perhaps?

]]> By: myoung15 http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447589 myoung15 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447589 I dont know or care if its a genuine mistake but if the company doesnt answer emails requesting a refund/reversal, then it is a problem. I was also scammed by Digital River for Anime Studio from Smith Micro Software... When they dont return the emails or the money, its just plain theft. Simple. I dont know or care if its a genuine mistake but if the company doesnt answer emails requesting a refund/reversal, then it is a problem.
I was also scammed by Digital River for Anime Studio from Smith Micro Software…
When they dont return the emails or the money, its just plain theft. Simple.

]]> By: stanfrombrooklyn http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447360 stanfrombrooklyn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447360 Could it be something with the cache or web browser? I've had similar experience with my own site when a new release of a browser came out. I'd put a product in the shopping cart, then remove it, then when I refresh the page, the product is back in there. But it certainly wasn't on purpose. Could it be something with the cache or web browser? I’ve had similar experience with my own site when a new release of a browser came out. I’d put a product in the shopping cart, then remove it, then when I refresh the page, the product is back in there. But it certainly wasn’t on purpose.

]]> By: eclectro http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447114 eclectro Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447114 This happens all over the place with "extra fees" and is not isolated to this company. If there is a way to charge for something, somebody will. One possible explanation is the nature of the economy i.e. we have exported all of manufacturing jobs away and have switched to a service economy. Which means far fewer people are able to participate in the manufacturing of goods and instead are looking for ways to charge a fee for something. As an example, the airlines are starting to do this (nickle and diming) by charging for pillows and overhead storage. This happens all over the place with “extra fees” and is not isolated to this company. If there is a way to charge for something, somebody will.

One possible explanation is the nature of the economy i.e. we have exported all of manufacturing jobs away and have switched to a service economy. Which means far fewer people are able to participate in the manufacturing of goods and instead are looking for ways to charge a fee for something. As an example, the airlines are starting to do this (nickle and diming) by charging for pillows and overhead storage.

]]> By: Simon Cameron http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-447118 Simon Cameron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447118 Dan The fact that the website in question wasn't actually run by RealMac should be stated explicitly in the text, not just linked to. Ideally you would quote the company in the actual post since many people who don't read through are getting a slanted opinion. Dan
The fact that the website in question wasn’t actually run by RealMac should be stated explicitly in the text, not just linked to. Ideally you would quote the company in the actual post since many people who don’t read through are getting a slanted opinion.

]]> By: Senna1 http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446868 Senna1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446868 thanks for the promo code thanks for the promo code

]]> By: Derek Bledsoe http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446869 Derek Bledsoe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446869 Here Here! Here Here!

]]> By: gladeye http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446870 gladeye Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446870 Why not name the company though? It would help people avoid them in the future. Why not name the company though? It would help people avoid them in the future.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446871 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446871 Exactly the same thing happened to me when I tried to upgrade to Parallels 4. I switched to VMware Fusion instead. Exactly the same thing happened to me when I tried to upgrade to Parallels 4. I switched to VMware Fusion instead.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446872 oasisob1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446872 Another feature is the website's automatic selection of currency by noticing where I appear to live, and assuming I want to pay in that currency. I do not with to pay in British Pounds, thank you. And the promo code doesn't seem to work. Another feature is the website’s automatic selection of currency by noticing where I appear to live, and assuming I want to pay in that currency.

I do not with to pay in British Pounds, thank you. And the promo code doesn’t seem to work.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-741273 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-741273 Extended Download Service is the biggest scam around. The funny thing is more often than not, you could re download your order several months after the fact WITHOUT the Extended Download Service. Trust me I worked for the scumbags. Essentially they are selling a "service" that doesnt even exist. Class action suit, anyone? Bueller? Extended Download Service is the biggest scam around. The funny thing is more often than not, you could re download your order several months after the fact WITHOUT the Extended Download Service. Trust me I worked for the scumbags. Essentially they are selling a “service” that doesnt even exist. Class action suit, anyone? Bueller?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446873 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446873 I've encountered a few sites where the promo code logs me out of the site and forces me to re-sign in, then loses the promo code. Rinse and repeat. I’ve encountered a few sites where the promo code logs me out of the site and forces me to re-sign in, then loses the promo code. Rinse and repeat.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446876 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446876 try the official website then http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/ try the official website then
http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/

]]> By: andyduncan http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446877 andyduncan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446877 It looks like this is a third party seller, not Realmac Software themselves. I understand not wanting to shame the retailer, but the article makes it look like your problem is with Realmac. It looks like this is a third party seller, not Realmac Software themselves. I understand not wanting to shame the retailer, but the article makes it look like your problem is with Realmac.

]]> By: Maximillian http://boingboing.net/2009/03/22/web-software-seller.html#comment-446881 Maximillian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446881 That's smithmicro.com Thanks for the promo code. I may be making a purchase now. That’s smithmicro.com

Thanks for the promo code. I may be making a purchase now.

]]>