I've watched the post count grow in this countdown with some deal of humour!
But as far as discounts go, i offer the following.
Economically, the sample market is the same as any other. Customer demand, competition, and niche awareness all play a part. Many of you have postulated the likelyhood of discounts, customer loyalty, etc., and speculated on the eventual price of the cube. (If indeed this countdown is the cube. It could very well be another fine product like..........epic piccolos.)
But in any market there are the 'discounters', the 'cheapos', and those at the top of the range, whose intent and product strategy is not mass production, but fine craftsmanship. VSL must count as one of the latter, a large complete, and superbly crafted product, constructed carefully and lovingly with exacting standards as the objective, not 'near enough is good enough.'
You can't buy fine cut diamonds at a discount, nor a yacht whose every part has been assembled with quality as the benchmark. (I've done some sailing)
And you wouldn't get a BMW motorcycle at a knockdown price. Stradivarius Instruments don't come cheap, and they don't go down in price.
So, while i admire your wishful thinking, VSL, the Rolls Royce of sample libraries isn't going to be marketed at a ford price, and nor should it. Like Fine diamonds, classy yachts. stradivari strings, and rolls royces, VSL is the top of the range, and any attempt on their part to indulge in group buys or heavy discounting as a market strategy would diminish the reputation they have, and ultimately, reduce the value of your investment. (IMHO)
Regards to you all,
Alex.
(Only three more sleeps!)
[H]