The price does seem to have escalated rapidly. Prior to taking up lifetime updates I think my last renewal was something like $89, which was also credited to the cost of lifetime updates. Cakewalk have in the past always offered very fair paths to upgrade. Perhaps someone new is calling the shots. I hope it all works out for them. Let's face it - no one relies on customers continuing to renew more than those that have lifetime updates!

I think it might be a good idea to see what customers get for the extra dollars (assuming you don't wait for a special or discounted deal) before deciding whether it's worth it or not. There's a bit of a problem with this conversation:
 
Customer: "I'm not seeing spectacular enough updates. I want things that are rebuilt from the ground up like a revamp of MIDI, ripple editing, great notation...oh, and support for a bunch of controllers, bring back the eZine, 24/7 phone support that I can call up any time and get an answer, and a lot more of the Features and Ideas implemented. I mean, c'mon, there are hundreds of ideas in there...can't Cakewalk at least do the top 50? And an arrangement track! Yeah, and also, redo the audio engine for instant tempo changes. And I want great-sounding stretching and better video support, too. And how about doing more with touch, or that spiffy new dial in the Surface Studio? And take care of those loose ends in the Theme Editor and give us more themes! And the devs should spend less time developing and more time in the forum. There are other things, but that's a good start."
 
Cakewalk: "Whew! It's pretty expensive to do all that stuff, but we can raise the price and be able to do more."
 
Customer: "Yeah...well...actually I don't want to have to pay for it..."
 
 

Indeed. It would certainly make sense if the update path was to split between bug fixes only and new features. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with lifetime updates being only bug fixes and OS compatability, and Cakewalk did say from the start that at some point features would be added as paid options. It does of course open its own can if worms:)

I don't mind business decisions. I mind a very large price hike (imagine if this were your rent?!) and people answering with "well you should've paid for lifetime updates, neener". That's a really weird and useless reply, unlike what Anderton said to at least try and explain to the OP where the increase might come from.

Sanderxpander
unlike what Anderton said to at least try and explain to the OP where the increase might come from.

Well, that's only the tip of the iceberg. Salaries in the tech fields have exploded. Fortunately some people would rather do a gig they like for a lot less money than make smart bombs for a defense contractor. 
 
And of course, the price of a full price upgrade for Platinum is about the same as one reel of 2" tape. Now, it's easy enough to say "apples and oranges," but that's not really the case. All companies have to hit the sweet spot of keeping prices low enough to be competitive while still making enough to stay in business. The factors that dictate that sweet spot are pretty much beyond a company's control. There are exceptions, like Logic or Reaper, that have major money behind them...but those exceptions are rare.

John
 
I don't know but I don't recall CW every saying they would never increase prices.  They offered the Life Time deal for a long time giving people a chance to sign up. Lots took the deal some didn't. I can't see why one would complain about raising prices for updates when it could have been avoided with a little foresight.

 I took that deal and am very happy I did. It was stupid cheap too.

must be planning to delete this one

Caa2

Anderton
I think it might be a good idea to see what customers get for the extra dollars (assuming you don't wait for a special or discounted deal) before deciding whether it's worth it or not. There's a bit of a problem with this conversation:
 
Customer: "I'm not seeing spectacular enough updates. I want things that are rebuilt from the ground up like a revamp of MIDI, ripple editing, great notation...oh, and support for a bunch of controllers, bring back the eZine, 24/7 phone support that I can call up any time and get an answer, and a lot more of the Features and Ideas implemented. I mean, c'mon, there are hundreds of ideas in there...can't Cakewalk at least do the top 50? And an arrangement track! Yeah, and also, redo the audio engine for instant tempo changes. And I want great-sounding stretching and better video support, too. And how about doing more with touch, or that spiffy new dial in the Surface Studio? And take care of those loose ends in the Theme Editor and give us more themes! And the devs should spend less time developing and more time in the forum. There are other things, but that's a good start."
 
Cakewalk: "Whew! It's pretty expensive to do all that stuff, but we can raise the price and be able to do more."
 
Customer: "Yeah...well...actually I don't want to have to pay for it..."
 
 

Customer: "Ha ha... go for it. I've got lifetime updates!

Caa2

Proof that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

scook
must be planning to delete this one

Caa2

predictable
FWIW, the original post was

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