@cm said:
Pingu, based on this little example - are you already suspecting why combining or a side-by-side option would lead into a minefield?
Not really. I'll have to take your word for it. From my point of view - I only have the ProEdition Orchestra, the Concert Guitar and Elements - I can't think of any reason why I would have bought the Orchestra, and then also bought any complicating libraries - because they would have been a step-down from what I had. So the only route I've really been considering in all this was Pro_orchestra to Strings I+II, Winds I+II, Brass I+II and Percussion. For that route I can't see any complications.
As for others, it seems to me that the fact that you've started combining things in many different combinations really ought to be your problem. The upgrades have become impossible because customers may own different parts of the new 'flagship' products, but it seems rather unfair to arbitrarily take the upgrade route from people who were promised it, and give it to people who weren't, simply because you've complicated the product line.
As I suggested earlier, one solution might still be to continue to offer the upgrade route, but not further discounts. You seem to be worried that people might then start demanding a discount depending on the combined samples they own. I don't think that would be true. Currently some of your libraries offer upgrade routes, and others don't. The others are about to gain an upgrade route, but as yet it's not set in stone. SE users have never had the 'Never pay twice for the same samples' promise. If you draw up a user agreement, at this point, that says the two can't be combined then nobody can complain. Owners of the Legacy products keep their upgrades, and will thank you profusely. Owners of SE instruments get a new way to expand, and will also be very happy. Those who own combinations of both have not lost anything, because you don't offer it in the new agreement. Whilst those who are used to the First Edition promise may assume there should be an implied further discount for owning both, the SE doesn't fall under this requirement. To me, not offering an implied promise to customers who, as yet, have nothing, is far less harsh than taking away your promise from other customers.
Even then, I suppose someone will say that they're paying for the same samples twice, but it will be far fewer people. Not only that, but those people, by definition must own some first edition or horizon products. If it turns out the upgrade from their particular SE instruments to the VIs is cheaper then they can opt for it - if, on the other hand, the route from the legacy products to VI remains the cheaper option, they're hardly likely to complain that you left this cheaper route available to them, even if it's not as cheap as some imaginary combined discount.
To me this seems like a compromise where everyone continues to win. Bear in mind that Pro-Edition customers are probably those who see VSL as their core orchestra, whilst many SE customers probably have it as an addition to something else. So many of the customers who are upset by this decision would probably have continued to buy up VSL products for years to come.