mettelus
There was no "loyalty" associated with lifetime updates, since a one time buyer qualified.

There was a discount for existing users.

(in previous CW politic the prices could be ridiculously different...)
 
Azslow, what does "politic" mean? 

John
(in previous CW politic the prices could be ridiculously different...)
 
Azslow, what does "politic" mean?

More then one "bug" from English point of view
1) in Russian, "a firm policy" sounds like "a firm politics" (so, the same word as used for government politics)
2) in German, politics is Politik. And can also be used with such meaning (Unternehmenspolitik)
3) a typo "politics"-> "Politik" -> "politic"
Since I use all 3 languages every day (but I am not a "pro" in any), I make many such mistakes... sorry 
 

No need to apologize Azslow. I know the word here is referring to "the people" i.e. "the body politic" Its used in politics. 

Please no discussion of politics here. 😉

Right! LOL

 
Like the OP , I had a lot going on when it was first offered .Let's just call it dealing with life on life's terms for simplicity's sake  .
 
Cutting to the chase, I feel that I was very lucky to have squeaked in a couple of weeks before the extended deal ended during last years holiday season . I recall at the time there was some people that weren't happy back then that Cakewalk had extended the deal those few extra months ...
Maybe a few of them did feel slighted that they may have had to juggle finances around to pull off the deal only to find out that they did have a little extra breathing room once Cakewalk had decided to give the deal an extension ....
 
For the record my Crystal Ball sucks and it wishes it had half the functionality and accuracy of the SONAR staff view 
 
 
Having successfully made the jump to lifetime , I feel a tremendous weight has been lifted off my shoulders .
Every month I install the updates in total confidence with out any level of fear . Absolutely love most of the new content , functionality & plugs ... 
 
In the Grand Scheme of it all . What difference does it really make if you were the first or the last to get the deal ?
 
My whole stance on the whole Lifetimes deal is pretty simple ...I hope Cakewalk decides to offer it again ...
I'm much happier and I would like to see other people that missed out on the lifetimes deal find their happiness  .
 
 
all the best,
 
Kenny

I am like abacab, almost exactly.  I was on X3.  I didn't ever buy into the subscription of Platinum until I happened across the forum one afternoon and saw that there was going to be a big announcement.,  When I saw what that was, even though I've been away from the DAW a lot more than I prefer, I couldn't pass on the offer at the time.  $199 was less than it would have been for me to get about 18 months, as I recall calculating, using the pricing at the time and for that I got all of the updates ever.  If I got a few years worth and Cakewalk turned their backs on us, well, I'd have been better off than if I had bought at the then-current full price.
 
So happy that it has turned out as it has.  I'm now at that turning point of having "made money" and it neither looks as though CW is going anywhere nor that they are going to "screw the users".  Indeed, it was just a good deal and "for a limited time only".
 
I guess I kind of look at it like a good stock purchase.  Some people luck out and are paying attention at exactly the right time and make a fortune.  Do you wish that everyone had been paying attention?  To a degree, yes, but at the same time, you can't say "well - riches for all" just because someone makes a good investment, right?
 
I feel for the OP because the deal was missed, but at the same time,. it seems that he was in the same situation as I was: not using Sonar a whole lot anyway.  Fortunately, part the reason I've gotten back into using my gear was hat I was able to upgrade in this way and it gave me a much-needed push back into "my room".
 

Now over 30 months ago, Cakewalk changed not only their business model but their development and release method too.

So many skeptics said it wouldn't work, could never sustain the pace of making monthly releases. Before that it was Cakewalk going out of business because Gibson had bought our beloved company and it was all downhill. Then more skepticism when the Free Lifetime Updates were offered. More people arguing about Cakewalks integrity in making the offer and if it was really genuine. There was more discussion about whether it was for real than gratitude for the offer that was made in all sincerity.

Well some people didn't trust the offer, some didn't hear about an offer than was on the table for more than 4 months. So some ended up with an offer that many scoffed at and said was too good to be true and for those people we'll start to reap the benefits come January next year when we get the first of our free updates. Sorry some missed out but that's the way it goes.

mudgel
Now over 30 months ago, Cakewalk changed not only their business model but their development and release method too.

So many skeptics said it wouldn't work, could never sustain the pace of making monthly releases. Before that it was Cakewalk going out of business because Gibson had bought our beloved company and it was all downhill. Then more skepticism when the Free Lifetime Updates were offered. More people arguing about Cakewalks integrity in making the offer and if it was really genuine. There was more discussion about whether it was for real than gratitude for the offer that was made in all sincerity.

Well some people didn't trust the offer, some didn't hear about an offer than was on the table for more than 4 months. So some ended up with an offer that many scoffed at and said was too good to be true and for those people we'll start to reap the benefits come January next year when we get the first of our free updates. Sorry some missed out but that's the way it goes.

Boy do I remember those days. I was right in the middle of trying to convince people to take the deal.  I feel sorry for those that didn't have an opportunity to take it but I do not feel sorry for those that didn't want it.