Just purchased Sonar Platinum through Musician's Friend

The redemption code you receive will be for SONAR Platinum with Lifetime updates. It should show up well before Dec 31.

mortega76
Just purchased Sonar Platinum through Musician's Friend, couldn't pass up that lifetime updates deal. I was excited to receive the item this week but instead I got this email.
 
Your Backordered Items
Qty     Description    
0.00     Cakewalk SONAR Platinum Regular – #J19524 03
 
 
What happens if I don't get Sonar before Dec 31st? Will I then not qualify for the Lifetime updates? Thanks!
 

I would cancel the order.  Go to Audiodeluxe.com sign up for an account, add it to your cart.  You will save ~$75 and have the serial number within 24 hours.  
 
(that freebie from MF is now free from Cake directly, so MF isn't bringing value to the table).  

tenfoot
How on earth does a downloadable product go on backorder?
 

Thats what I was wondering.

Thanks for the info everyone, part of the reason that I got it through MF is that I got 17% off along with $73 in rewards that I used towards that purchase. I did end up calling them and was told it should have shipped today or will ship tomorrow. I don't know why but I wanted to also get the physical media. Do I also get to have the full downloaded version as well in case I lose my discs? With regards to the freebie, are you talking about the compressor? Thanks!

The box only contains a number in it, they no longer have discs, so instead of instant access to the program you will be waiting a few days to get a virtually empty box.

Yes, the freebie is the compressor.

Glad to hear you got a good deal.

MF generally doesn't charge for shipping unless you choose expedited delivery, e.g. 2nd Day Air. So worst case, mortega76 has to delay gratification for a couple days. No harm done in the end, and he got a good price.
 
It's a shame that nearly all audio software companies are going away from physical media. Downloads are PIA if you have slow internet access, and after a lengthy download you still have to make backups. I think most consumers would happily pay a few bucks more for the disks. But for vendors it's convenient and cheap, and you don't have to deal with slipstreaming updates in manufacturing or culling out-of-date copies from fulfillment.
 
I like Spectrasonics' best-of-both-worlds approach: download-only if you buy from them directly, but USB-only from retailers. Buy direct if you want it RIGHT NOW, or buy from a third-party and skip the download, skip the backups, and pay less for the product.

YMMV, of course, but -- I tried to buy the Platinum lifetime from MF this summer before the deal got extended, exactly for the same reason -- the free CA-2A. The shipment kept getting delayed over and over. When I called, they said they were out of boxes and waiting for more, couldn't just get a serial number to me.

It got too close to the end of the promo period for me to reasonably expect a shipment in time, so I cancelled and bought from one of the online vendors. IMHO, MF needs to up their game and get more digital. Boxes are sooo last-decade.

GreyLion
YMMV, of course, but -- I tried to buy the Platinum lifetime from MF this summer before the deal got extended, exactly for the same reason -- the free CA-2A. The shipment kept getting delayed over and over. When I called, they said they were out of boxes and waiting for more, couldn't just get a serial number to me.

It got too close to the end of the promo period for me to reasonably expect a shipment in time, so I cancelled and bought from one of the online vendors. IMHO, MF needs to up their game and get more digital. Boxes are sooo last-decade.

100% unfair criticism.
 
They offer the Download version
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/cakewalk-sonar-platinum-on-demand
 
They also offer a boxed version for those that like something physical when shelling out that kind of money.  
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/cakewalk-sonar-platinum
 
If it wasn't for the rolling updates, I'd want a box with discs personally.  I'd even like to have a box for my Platinum purchase, if for no other reason than to have an obvious place to print out my login information here and my IDs and Passwords, etc.  Good to have that stuff in a physical as well as digital realm.  

There is no physical media. The box contains a redemption code card, printed versions of the "Getting Started" section and Quick Start Guide. An internet connection is necessary to redeem, download and authorize the product. SONAR may be installed on the PC connected to the internet or the files may be copied from the connected PC to another machine. In order to install Addictive Drums though does require the DAW be connected to the internet.
 
My understanding is the boxed versions are intended for physical stores but many resellers on the web carry both the download and boxed versions.

I gave up on MF, they charge Canadian customers a handling fee  on top of the exchange rate,, Nobody else does this,, they suck.  I unsubscribed from their  deals.