@stevesong said:

A company can be great, make great products, offer great service, have idealistic intentions at its core and still make flawed, self-defeating decisions. It isn't helpful to the survival of a company if those who perceive that it has made a poor decision, stay silent. If you were to perceive a friend engaged in what you thought to be predictably self-defeating behavior, would you not risk his or her anger, by pointing out what you perceive? 

@DG said:

Anything else is more akin to the mob mentality, and is not something that I would want to be associated with.

 

DG

@PaulR said:

This thread - Fred - is not really about insurance or assurance. This thread is about people wanting a thing right now and not having enough money concurrent with imminent purchase. It's about 'wants' and not 'needs' - we talked on this years ago if I remember correctly.

So here's an idea.  I am certain I don't know what I'm talking about, but whatever....

Maybe there's a price cut coming after July 15 (or whatever the cutoff date is) that exceeds the discount you'd get under the current pricing.  

@PaulR said:

Dishonesty? I assume you have a bank account do you? Do you go to your bank and tell them they are a bunch of assholes and totally dishonest?

Frequently!! I've taken them up on numerous counts and won on many.

I'm giving up on this argument, because you completely refuse to see my point. I don't doubt that other firms behave absolutely dreadfully. When they do so in breach of contract then yes I call them on it. When they've had the forsight (and banks fall into this category) to mention in their contract that they can alter clauses with sufficient notice, then there's not a lot you can do. Unfortunately VSL didn't mention ever changing their 'lifetime' promise - they fall into the category of firms I would usually be calling and ranting at.

And it's all very well pointing out that most firms behave with even less concern for their customers, but VSL aren't most firms, and I wouldn't want them to be. I would hate to have to think of them in the way I do British Gas or the Labour party. Which is why I'd like them to explain.

And yes I did try to open a private dialogue with them, but they ignored that too.

@steff3 said:

And even if we whine - is it your business? No, not at all. best

@Pingu said:

And yes I did try to open a private dialogue with them, but they ignored that too.

Whom and when did you try to contact, I couldn't find any emails in our records?

best

Herb

@Pingu said:

I'm giving up on this argument, because you completely refuse to see my point.

@herb said:

 

Whom and when did you try to contact, I couldn't find any emails in our records?

 

best

Herb

@DG said:

I also agree that if one perceives that VSL has made a mistake, one has a duty to inform them, but I believe that rather than insult them in public, one should set up a private dialogue. Anything else is more akin to the mob mentality, and is not something that I would want to be associated with.

I don't think that VSL has the time and appetite to answer the same question a hundret times per eMail.

@herb said:

Whom and when did you try to contact, I couldn't find any emails in our records?

best

Herb

We just try to take care, that all support emails reach our desk, that's all.

May I suggest that, on such an important thread, attention should be focused on the issues at hand and avoid squabbling amongst ourselves while they watch from above? I believe that the customer's argument has been amply presented in a variety of ways, sometimes soberly, other times indignantly, but let's face it, it has been presented. VSL itself has not counter-argued or even presented a single position, an iota of thought, a modicum of explanation, not for why they need money, not for why the world of business is the way it is, not for why the upgrades are changing, but for one thing only: How they can think it would be easy and ethical to walk away from their repeated public paeans of "never pay twice..." (should be changed to "never pay more than three or four times..."), "VIP program", and the rest; pompous lures which, along with the quality of the product, constituted the edge between the VSL and its competitors.

Again, VSL's new stance could be understood if not condoned, in case the company decided to cease manufacturing the specific product, or in case the company was going under. Since neither is occurring, certain conclusions concerning the management's business practices will become foregone; we have been accorded no other information.

Lest we forget, the product itself would not have sold one tenth if it was not for the demo section, bristling with works and great mock-ups by brilliant programmers, that is how I was convinced to join the bandwagon myself in the first place. Those fantastic, visionary efforts are publicly displayed, as are all the collected sang praises to the company - "many thanks again for the wonderful products", "I love you  team of the VSL" etc. I don't see a reason why valid criticisms should be privatized. The praises have seemed to be of a collective mentality, so will be the complaints.

Please, let's concentrate our efforts in getting the company to re-examine their recent coup, whether they will decide it is the right thing to do or that it is in their best business interests is a secondary consideration.

Sincerely,

Errikos. 

 Some of you may own the Performance Tool Tutorial DVD released in 2004.

On it there's a chapter called "Create Reality". Starting at 11'22", Paul Stenibauer discusses an upgrade path from Opus 1. At 11'35" he clearly states the following...

"...and we offer an upgrade path which guarantees that you never pay twice for the samples you already own."

With hindsight, it seems this claim is manifestly untrue or, to put it another way, it's a bare faced lie.

@Marsdy said:

 Some of you may own the Performance Tool Tutorial DVD released in 2004.

On it there's a chapter called "Create Reality". Starting at 11'22", Paul Stenibauer discusses an upgrade path from Opus 1. At 11'35" he clearly states the following...

"...and we offer an upgrade path which guarantees that you never pay twice for the samples you already own."

With hindsight, it seems this claim is manifestly untrue or, to put it another way, it's a bare faced lie.

Hi Marsdy,

if you upgrade till July 15th 2008 you will get your upgrade price. (plus free extended libraries)

If VSL introduce any time in the future a new sampler platform there will be upgrade options, too.

(we do not have any plans now, but who knows)

And if you don't want to upgrade you don't pay twice.

Just curious, what were your primary upgrade plans?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have the feeling, that especially the people who didn't have any upgrade plans are most upset?  

best

Herb

 Another person here who DEFINITELY has plans to upgrade.  I'd love to have the productivity increase I know I'll get.  It's just taking a lot longer than I'd like.

@Pingu said:

And yes I did try to open a private dialogue with them, but they ignored that too.

Whom and when did you try to contact, I couldn't find any emails in our records?

best

Herb

Hi Herb,

I used the contact details on the front page of the website (office@vsl.co.at) on Saturday. Sorry if you didn't get it.

@Another User said:

"Why the *** should they tell you anything? Huh? Are they a listed company? I don't think so. Are you a shareholder? Well I don't believe you can be.

So where the *** do get off making those sort of demands? And who the *** is we?

If I decide to defend VSL because they understandably cannot - then that's my fucking decision - and if you don't like it - you can go and *** yourself! And if you want me to repeat that face to face - be my guest!!!"

I don't know what kind of forums you frequent at, but I would think this kind of posting doesn't belong at the VSL forum.

If someone chooses to call VSL liars, it's their buisness, but does it qualify as an insult? Well, it should be clear to most by now that nothing in their markeding atleast has indicated that complete removal of the "upgrade" paths.  So lying, misleading, corporate move...I don't know. It was certianly unexpected.

Most of the people posting here makes it quite clear that, ofcourse, money is an issue. Not everyone can afford these prices, still they choose to spend money on VSL products. Also alot of people has, despite postes with "negative" content, stated their clear respect for both the VSL and their achivements. We expect VSL to show us the same courtesy.

But again, why do I even bother to post this, it's time to ignore this guy as he probably is operating at an intelligence level way above our own. So how about not letting him drag this anymore off topic and keep trying to reach VSL? 

Back to topic...

"Maybe I'm wrong, but I have the feeling, that especially the people who didn't have any upgrade plans are most upset?"

Herb, is this really what you are reading from the all the above posts? In my opinion this couldn't be more wrong! Atleast what I am seeing is alot of people who absolutly love your accomplishments, your products and your policy. And from that I read that they want to keep it that way. I certainly think most were planning to upgrade. But moving from words like "guarantee" and "lifetime" to 3 (6) months is kind of harsh, isn't it? I would think it's quite clear in what way your customers have percived the VIP policy.

Kind regards

Tom-Erlend Malm

@Another User said:

Whether you like it or not - you have behaved badly on this, and other forums. You need to stop right now. If you have these problems - write to VSL direct. If they don't reply straightaway - then try and be patient for a change.

Don't make me laugh. All I've done is ask for some answers, express an opinion, and talk about how this latest development makes me feel. I thought it was an open forum. Apparently it's fine for you to call everyone stupid if they don't agree with you, to use foul language every time someone gets under your skin, and to openly declare your disregard for the welfare of everyone else; but I'm behaving badly?

@Marsdy said:

 Some of you may own the Performance Tool Tutorial DVD released in 2004.

On it there's a chapter called "Create Reality". Starting at 11'22", Paul Stenibauer discusses an upgrade path from Opus 1. At 11'35" he clearly states the following...

"...and we offer an upgrade path which guarantees that you never pay twice for the samples you already own."

With hindsight, it seems this claim is manifestly untrue or, to put it another way, it's a bare faced lie.

Hi Marsdy,

if you upgrade till July 15th 2008 you will get your upgrade price. (plus free extended libraries)

If VSL introduce any time in the future a new sampler platform there will be upgrade options, too.

(we do not have any plans now, but who knows)

And if you don't want to upgrade you don't pay twice.

Just curious, what were your primary upgrade plans?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have the feeling, that especially the people who didn't have any upgrade plans are most upset?  

best

Herb

Hello Herb,

I am not Marsdy obviously, and may I say that you joining this discussion as opposed to just monitoring it is at least a step forward, and if you could clarify a few things for us perhaps we can arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.

I certainly have plans to upgrade, as I believe most users here do, if for no other reason, beause other companies do not seem to make their products fully compatible with your early illustrious offerings. I don't think anybody here is a moron, customer or company member, yet some are drifting from the main issue, and the company does not seem to answer it, so:

1) The upgrade plan was offered forever (at least the lifetime of the licensee or the company's). As a consequence, regardless of any new products or combinations thereof offered, if the playing samples remained the same, the licensee should not be required to pay a cent more, not one! What we shall understandably be charged for will be a new engine, interface, etc. That is why this 15th of July (or October) deadline is irreconcilable with the company's long known motto. Not this year's July or the next's. If you said instead "whoever upgrades until July gets extra extended libraries" that would be perfectably acceptable, as you would be attempting to generate cashflow with an incentive, without compromising the original contractual warranty. However, this is not the case here, is it?

2) "If VSL introduce any time in the future a new sampler platform there will be upgrade options, too.

(we do not have any plans now, but who knows)"

What is this about? "Who knows?"?? I want to know and a lot of other users here I am sure will want to know too. And the main question is: Upgrade options for them as well means what exactly? Can you enlighten us with a hypothetical example? For instance, someone paid for the Pro Edition. Upgrading to the Cube now will cost him an additional €5400. How much will the upgrade path for a new sampler platform cost him (if it does not involve a complete re-recording of an orchestra)? Another €5400 for the same samples? How much will it cost to a complete newcomer that has not patronized your shop thus far? Will you sell it to him for €15000 over?

Thanks,

Errikos