Vbulletin ought to get rid of the leased license

[coffeefix]

Wow, I've posted on many different forums over the years and I think I haven't gotten this much feedback or debate over a topic in a long time.

Having said that, Jelsoft has maintined the exact same prices since they started in 2000. Given inflation, a vB license is actually cheaper now that it was 6 years ago. There aren't many commercial competitors that can make the same claim.

That is fantastic, I didn't realize that. My issue was not with the price but rather the lifetime of the license.

 You've had a year's usage. That's not "nothing" in the true respect.

I understand what you mean there and I agree somewhat, however I am left with a piece of software that can no longer be used. Downloaded, paid for but no longer usable unless another $85 or $160 is paid.

By reading your post, it is clear that your problem is not with leased licenses in itself, but in actual fact, the cost.

No, I paid the $85, not really the cost I am concerned about. But if by cost you mean am I having doubts about whether or not it is worth it to shell out more $ for software that I am already in possesion of after having purchased the original license..... Yes.


*note- and in case anyone is wondering.... no I am not still running the software*

[The Realist]

Why not just stick your hand in your pocket and get the full license and be done with it.

You know as well as the rest of us that Vbulletin is worth far more thajn the $160 for a full license and its far better than the competition.

The terms and conditions are all in black and white when you first purchased a license, you dont like it, why buy one in the first place.

Laters

[bairy]

Why not just stick your hand in your pocket and get the full license and be done with it.

Give the guy (I'm assuming) a break, he was just sharing his opinion on how strange it feels to buy a license for a year and then have to pay again to continue using it. Replies like this may well be strictly true but I think he was looking for thoughts about his opinion, not "you can't do anything about it so what's the point of saying anything" comments.

I understand what you mean there and I agree somewhat, however I am left with a piece of software that can no longer be used. Downloaded, paid for but no longer usable unless another $85 or $160 is paid.

I do agree with you. When you consider that a lifetime license costs a little under double what 2 years leased one does, you kinda feel like you've already paid for half a lifetime one. So to be asked to pay it again and re-eval in a year, or pay full price for a lifetime one, when you've already been running it for a year is indeed a strange feeling.
Of course it is what we agreed to and it's just like any other business who provided leases of some sort. I don't think you have a problem re-paying as I won't when my lease runs out.
But yes, I know what you're saying.

[Quillz]

I think the intent behind the leased license is for those who plan to run a short-lived website, with a board attached to it. Or, people who want to run a community for a year, and see if it's worth keeping online. In that case, the $85 would be a better value than the $160.

[Creepshow]

I think the intent behind the leased license is for those who plan to run a short-lived website, with a board attached to it. Or, people who want to run a community for a year, and see if it's worth keeping online. In that case, the $85 would be a better value than the $160.

Not if they then decide they want to keep their community though.

I have always personally thought the leased license is a total waste of time. Might as well just get the owned to begin with if you ask me.

[Onimua]

I think the intent behind the leased license is for those who plan to run a short-lived website, with a board attached to it. Or, people who want to run a community for a year, and see if it's worth keeping online. In that case, the $85 would be a better value than the $160.

Even then, if they had the lifetime, if one community failed, they could still take that license and use it somewhere else; something you can't do with a leased license.

[coffeefix]

Not if they then decide they want to keep their community though.

Exactly my point..... and I still have the same site up and running (minus the VB software of course) I've actually lost members because they didn't like the software that I converted to. Imagine...... if tomorrow, this site or any other long term running site were to suddenly to change board software (obviously that wouldn't happen here ) New layout, different features, new look etc etc. will throw some people off regardless if they enjoy the actual content of the site.

[Fusion]

Exactly my point..... and I still have the same site up and running (minus the VB software of course) I've actually lost members because they didn't like the software that I converted to.

Well, I guess a "good luck" is in order then.

[good2laugh]

I think we'd do well to remember that $85 maybe easier to come by for some than for others. Getting a leased licence is a gamble, if the site doesn't take off or we don't like the software its reasonable, but if we find we like the software or the site is doing ok having then to pay out $85 again or $160 does seem a bit steep. Maybe offering a small discount if someone upgrades from a leased to owned would be something to consider. Jelsoft already have a commission scheme for referring sites thru CJ so I don't even see its much difference.

Or failing that on the sign up have a FAQ: benefits of a leased Vs Owned licence where its more clearly pointed out, it may be displayed ten different places on these forums but unless we're forced to think about it at the point of sale we may not really consider the full implications of how restricted we really are if we choose leased. If it was more "in your face" at point of sale maybe a few people would consider holding off purchase for a month or two until they could raise the additional $75 JMHO

[Gomjaba]

My example : I KNEW I had a good idea since there was a demand so I bought an owned license since I knew there is almost no risk involved (ut2007world.com) - Then I had another idea but I am not sure if the forum works, so I got leased license so check the forum for a year .. THIS was the best decision I made and you should concider .. There is no need to keep complain about vb .. it is some kind of take it or leave it situation..

What you COULD do is using a free solution such as phpbb or SMF and when the forum hit off, get vbulletin and use IMPEX to convert over to vbulletin .. just my .02 cent

[Fusion]

I think we'd do well to remember that $85 maybe easier to come by for some than for others. Getting a leased licence is a gamble, if the site doesn't take off or we don't like the software its reasonable, but if we find we like the software or the site is doing ok having then to pay out $85 again or $160 does seem a bit steep. Maybe offering a small discount if someone upgrades from a leased to owned would be something to consider. Jelsoft already have a commission scheme for referring sites thru CJ so I don't even see its much difference.

Or failing that on the sign up have a FAQ: benefits of a leased Vs Owned licence where its more clearly pointed out, it may be displayed ten different places on these forums but unless we're forced to think about it at the point of sale we may not really consider the full implications of how restricted we really are if we choose leased. If it was more "in your face" at point of sale maybe a few people would consider holding off purchase for a month or two until they could raise the additional $75 JMHO

Eh, it's been a while since I read that text thoroughly, but when I decided to get my first license I found it to be spelled out rather eloquently. There really wasn't any confusion. Besides, as has already been pointed out, leases can be upgraded within a month of the purchase - Maybe that's on the short end, but it's plenty of time to see if you like the software or setup some scheme to make some earnings or whatever you fancy.

If on the other hand, it's the language of the license that's confusing no manner of FAQs can help that it may be a wee bit too early to make a purchase of either license.

[Panzer Max]

I also emailed Jelosoft about this. Here is the response I got:


support has been great on the other companies, as I have used their software before. (wbb, IPB).

.

This didn't occur to you a year ago?

[coffeefix]

This didn't occur to you a year ago?

I'm not sure what you mean Panzer Max. Are you asking if the whole leased licence issue did occur to me a year ago? It had, and I was planning on upgrading to an owned license but by the time I got around to it, the 30 days had passed. Another idea I think would be good is to allow leased license holders to upgrade at any time- While their current license is still good and active of course. Another words extending the deal that is in place now past 30 days. Even 60 days would have been good.

[Wynand]

And there are things such as IP Dynamic and IP Converge that so far VB hasn't been able to get anywhere near.

There are lot's of other way's to track some 1...

Well, i think you should get rid of those leased licences. I din't even think about buying a leased, got straid tho the owned

[Neal-UK]

Software expensive? I think it's pretty darn cheap at what it is now.

It makes sense to have different licenses. Plus with an owned license, it's cheaper to continue to have yearly updates.

I think someone must have got out of the wrong side of the bed today.