How can VB Justify the $170 Upgrade Costs for V4?

[Fergal]

Please see a copy of a post below that I posted here on the official VB forums - Click here to view the post.

How can VB Justify the Upgrade Costs for V4?
The cost to upgrade a VB owned licence from V3 to V4 is $170. When purchasing VB owned licences, I understood that they were owned lifetime licences and that the only future costs for using the software would be the annual membership fees - my best guess is that many other customers had the same understanding.

In my opinion, the upgrade fee is incredible given that;
Competing forum software sells new licences for around $150
I can purchase a completely new VB 4 licence for $195. Hence, I only save $25 by upgrading (195 - 170). Surely VB 3 licences are worth more than $25!

How can VB possibly justify an upgrade fee of $170 per licence?

I'd be interested in members' opinions on this issue.

 

[Ziveeman]

I have no idea. The software itself needs to be a huge change from vB3, and even then, all the mods won't work so that's a huge disadvantage.

Have you already pre-ordered vB4? IMO get IPB instead 😛

 

[DarkRaven]

vBulletin are getting far to big for their boots. I honestly don't know why people even buy proprietary message board software. IPB won't give you important security upgrades unless you pay a renewal fee every six months. With any one of the three popular free options (I don't think I need to name them), security upgrades are just that - free.

On top of that, the one message board software that I would not buy would be vBulletin. Especially given that they were not so subtle in ripping off IPB 3.

But yeah, proprietary software is not the way to go unless you have more money that you need, which most people this day don't have. The software package itself costs $150 - $195. Then you have to renew every 6 months or risk your forum being hacked.

 

[Ziveeman]

The one thing I don't get is why owners of forums that use free forum software constantly bash paid forum software, when the majority of them haven't even used it at all.

Let's see...IPB charges $25 every six months - if you can save up $4.17 a month you can afford it. That's 14 cents a day. That's pretty much free! I don't see the problem with that.

And even then, you don't have to upgrade. Find a stable version of the software and stick with it. For example, v2.3.6 is stable and you'll still see many forums with IPB v.2.3.6.

Also, $150 for a license isn't that much either. If you save up for a year, that's 41 cents a day. You could earn that money mowing lawns or babysitting kids if you're a broke-ass teenager like most of the people here.

Not to mention, the support for IPB (once again I'm only speaking for IPB, vB is a whole different story now) is superb. My forum came across an error that we could not fix, and the other customers could not help either. We just simply filed a ticket, and IPB replied 17 minutes later and with a simple explanation of what was wrong, they fixed it as soon as they could with an explanation of what had happened. We didn't have to do it ourselves. You can't get that much better than that!

Also, Fergal runs a business forum. Businesses don't have time to worry about finding a contractor to fix their forum. If a problem arises in the software, the business already has support in Jelsoft or Invision Power.

I can explain why people get proprietary software over free software. It's their cup of tea. If you're running a casual forum, then fine, don't fork over the $150 to get IPB or whatever extra to get vB. But don't just mindlessly bash paid forum software simply because you can't be arsed to try it out.

 

[DarkRaven]

Also, Fergal runs a business forum. Businesses don't have time to worry about finding a contractor to fix their forum. If a problem arises in the software, the business already has support in Jelsoft or Invision Power.

That actually is a good point. I can totally understand someone spending that much as a form of insurance. But the average forum owner doesn't need that muc. If vB want to remain competitive they'll have to drop their prices by quite a bit.

 

[USHost247]

I have bought both softwares..I bought IPB and VB3. They are both really great forum software.

Back on topic...

I can not believe they would charge that much just for an upgrade, just to have one the looks like IPB? RIDICULOUS! I'm going to stay with VB3. 🙂

 

[CyberFreak]

The problem is that the free forum softwares are getting better. Before people always used to look up to vb and IPB but now people aren't bothered by it as much and alot of people don't really mind having a free forum software. vb now seem to be dedicated to fleecing as much as they can from their current userbase. They already have forums using their software and vb know that at some point they will have to pay the really high amount to grab the latest version to update their forum to keep it secure. Nowadays people don't see that paying for a forum software is as important and that there are many other things to spend money on in life that you get more of a benefit out of.

vb are laughing. They are going to get shed loads of money by charging these fees as they know that alot of people will kind of be forced into paying them. This shows that they are in it to make as much money as possible not give the users a good service.

 

[Zenrer]

The one thing I don't get is why owners of forums that use free forum software constantly bash paid forum software, when the majority of them haven't even used it at all.

Let's see...IPB charges $25 every six months - if you can save up $4.17 a month you can afford it. That's 14 cents a day. That's pretty much free! I don't see the problem with that.

And even then, you don't have to upgrade. Find a stable version of the software and stick with it. For example, v2.3.6 is stable and you'll still see many forums with IPB v.2.3.6.

Also, $150 for a license isn't that much either. If you save up for a year, that's 41 cents a day. You could earn that money mowing lawns or babysitting kids if you're a broke-ass teenager like most of the people here.

Not to mention, the support for IPB (once again I'm only speaking for IPB, vB is a whole different story now) is superb. My forum came across an error that we could not fix, and the other customers could not help either. We just simply filed a ticket, and IPB replied 17 minutes later and with a simple explanation of what was wrong, they fixed it as soon as they could with an explanation of what had happened. We didn't have to do it ourselves. You can't get that much better than that!

Also, Fergal runs a business forum. Businesses don't have time to worry about finding a contractor to fix their forum. If a problem arises in the software, the business already has support in Jelsoft or Invision Power.

I can explain why people get proprietary software over free software. It's their cup of tea. If you're running a casual forum, then fine, don't fork over the $150 to get IPB or whatever extra to get vB. But don't just mindlessly bash paid forum software simply because you can't be arsed to try it out.

So, if I save up for a year, get a license, then like 1 month later vB4 comes out and I have to save up for another year, only for the cycle to repeat, I would be pretty pissed off. Yes, it isnt justified, I am sure it sais somewhere you pay for a lifetime license. I rest my case.

 

[Bossanova]

The problem is that the free forum softwares are getting better. Before people always used to look up to vb and IPB but now people aren't bothered by it as much and alot of people don't really mind having a free forum software.

THAT is so true. Look at ProBoards, and how V5 of their service should be released in a month. I've never seen the admin panel for VB, but I'm assuming most of the options in it will be released with V5 of PB.

I've used the Mod panel of VB, it isn't that impressive. With the way people are migrating to the free hosts, you'd think VB would get scared of losing all their "paid" customers and reduce prices.

With the release of this new version of VB, I have to say that if this new version proves to be a waste, and not many new features are implemented, people will be pissed, and VB will lose all together.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I hate to be ripped off and it would cost me over $500 to upgrade three VB forum licences to version 4. When purchasing an owned lifetime licence I, like most people, understood that the only fees I would have in future would be the annual membership fees.

 

[Bossanova]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I hate to be ripped off and it would cost me over $500 to upgrade three VB forum licences to version 4. When purchasing an owned lifetime licence I, like most people, understood that the only fees I would have in future would be the annual membership fees.

Why not upgrade only 1 of your VBs, play around with the new features/settings, and see if it's worth it?

 

[Nebulous]

It ridiculous if you ask me. Its not a different software just because they slap another number on it. If you ask me, anyone who paid for v3 should get a free upgrade to v4.

 

[Cloverfield]

Yup, I was shocked at the increase. My license is due to be renewed in 5 days and they are forcing me to buy 4.0 which is $195. I've had to ask for donations and everything to help me with this cost.

 

[DarkRaven]

I just went to view that topic and I couldn't. Did vB delete it or something?

 

[Ziveeman]

So, if I save up for a year, get a license, then like 1 month later vB4 comes out and I have to save up for another year, only for the cycle to repeat, I would be pretty pissed off. Yes, it isnt justified, I am sure it sais somewhere you pay for a lifetime license. I rest my case.

That has to do with the company, not the forum software. That's why people are looking for a class-action lawsuit against Internet Brand.

Invision Power, when they changed their licensing model to the one it is now, let people who bought the lifetime/perpetual licenses KEEP them and get free support and whatnot.

I'm not at all defending Internet Brand's decision. I'm very much pro-Invision Power. I like vB as the software itself, but Internet Brand is screwing up. Why has Invision Power seen an increase in vB converts? Because IB can't justify the licensing changes.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

POsted this on HB as well:
It seems like the post you made was deleted, or the forum is private because it prompts me to login when I click on the link.

While I'm liking vB more and more now that I can see more of the back end of it (there are tons of stuff here that SMF hasn't even thought of, though I'm still sticking with SMF), I think it is a bit overpriced. But the fact that you pointed out about the upgrade costing too much doesn't make me like it.

If they still send out security upgrades for the 3.8 line, I don't think it's that big of a deal, but if it is upgrade or face a major security threat, I think that the move they are making is a terrible one.

 

[DarkRaven]

So is vB censoring criticism?

Wow

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Don't speculate. I think it would be best for Fergal to answer if his post got deleted or not.

 

[DarkRaven]

All right, I just find it odd that it would disappear like that.

Can anyone actually justify this price hike? One of the reasons I wanted to see the topic was the official vBulletin line on this...

 

[CyberFreak]

If they still send out security upgrades for the 3.8 line, I don't think it's that big of a deal, but if it is upgrade or face a major security threat, I think that the move they are making is a terrible one.

It is not going to be forever. They tempted people in to buying their software and are now demanding more to get the latest version. People have started forums, got custom styles made, modified their forum and got it active. When the support for 3.8 ends they will be forced to either pay the money vb want or go through all the trouble of converting to another software. Alot of people (especially with bigger boards) will just pay vb as it it alot easier. vb knows sooner or later people will pay what they are wanting. The reason it is so high is they know they can charge that much and people would still kind of be forced to pay for it. No doubt they will drop 3.8 support pretty sharpish so they can force people into a panic and get peoples money faster.