dcumpian

ndeboy
 
Dan, I hope you're right - but at the moment, it looks like the only thing that's reducing that cost is a prior renewal of rolling updates. I upgraded to Platinum in May for $199, which included a year of updates. If I had upgraded three weeks later, lifetime updates would have been included for free. When I go to the store, it wants me to pay $199 again to add them. It does feel a bit like I've been penalized two-hundred bucks for upgrading when I did. 
 
I've spent $199 on the product this year, and people who spent the same amount earlier or later are entitled to lifetime updates. I have to pay double though? I sent a message to support to make sure it isn't an error, but reading the other posts, I think that's the way they intended it to work.

If you only upgraded to Plat this year from an older version, then you missed a whole year of the membership. That was $149 you did not pay and may be why you aren't getting the discount. I thought you had renewed this year, so that's my fault for misreading your post. I would still contact sales/support just to be sure.
 
Regards,
Dan

 
The first comment wasn't even mine. I just happen to be in the same boat as that guy.
 
It’s more about the message being sent by this pricing strategy than the cost itself. New purchases and new upgrades get free lifetime updates. Purchasing history isn’t a factor there. Anyone who paid for an update subscription this year receives a discount. That does reward loyalty. But anyone who purchased an upgrade earlier this year (which also contained a year’s worth of updates factored in to that price) has to pay for what they’re now giving away to new customers. It feels like they’re saying “we already got your money, so tough luck.”   
 
I’m happy with the purchase I made, but when new customers are getting more for the same price, it stings a bit. Especially because they recognized that previous renewal customers might be unhappy and made a concession, but didn’t extend similar consideration to recent upgrade customers.  
 
I received what I was promised, but I don’t feel warm and fuzzy about Cakewalk wanting to charge me $199 now for a service they started giving away less than a month after I paid.

ndeboy
It’s more about the message being sent by this pricing strategy than the cost itself. New purchases and new upgrades get free lifetime updates. Purchasing history isn’t a factor there. Anyone who paid for an update subscription this year receives a discount. That does reward loyalty. But anyone who purchased an upgrade earlier this year (which also contained a year’s worth of updates factored in to that price) has to pay for what they’re now giving away to new customers.

 
I suppose Cakewalk could offer SONAR to new users at two different price points, one with a year worth of updates and one with perpetual updates, but that means two different SKUs, two different ways to track purchases, two different targeted emails, etc. which adds complexity. (If anything, IMHO Cakewalk already has too many SKUs because of all the update options for owners of previous versions...I think it could be simplified.) 
 

I received what I was promised, but I don’t feel warm and fuzzy about Cakewalk wanting to charge me $199 now for a service they started giving away less than a month after I paid.

 
I hear you...having once paid $2,000 for a 1 GB hard drive (yes, one GB). At one point Logic cost $999 for what now costs $199. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your timing) the longer you wait before buying technology, the less it will cost. If you're lucky, you'll purchase well in advance of a price reduction, and be able to amortize the extra cost. If you're not lucky, you'll purchase just before the date where you could get a new and lower price point. 
 
While an extra $199 may sting today, bear in mind that's the last time you'll ever need to pay for an update. Hopefully that helps compensate somewhat. $199 for lifetime updates may be somewhat more of a helluva for some people than for others, but no matter how you look at it, I think it's a helluva deal. 
 

Hello,
 
I purchased Sonar Professional on June 30 thru an online retailer.  Being a teacher, I will use it in the classroom, and bought/received the academic copy.  Have decided that the lifetime upgrade is to good to pass on, so I wanted to know how to go about upgrading again with the educational discount...?
Thanks for your reply...
Freq

Quick bump... emailed support, but not sure if they will get back to me before the lifetime updates offer expires.
 
Thanks,
Freq

I don't know this either, and will see if I can divine the info on pricing you are looking for - I'll post back shortly either way. :)
 
Bob Bone
 

I would suggest you post something in the Store forum, if you haven't already.  I would have moved this one over to there if you had created a unique thread for your question.
 
I DID take a look, and I see no information whatsoever on it for official posting - though I did not do an exhaustive search.
 
I located a PERSONAL post of Craig Anderton's, and here is the Permalink to his post: 
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3428782
 
And here is the text from the above post, to save you some time:
 
"All Platinum owners get the same updates and features. If you are an active member, the updates will be the same as the lifetime. Only difference is lifetime means you get all future updates to SONAR. Artist and Professional are still under membership and lifetime updates are exclusive to Platinum." Craig Anderton
 
I think that he would have a really good idea of the above, for him to state it so matter of factly.
 
I hope that helps you in your decision making.  For whatever the worth, I would hope you find a way to end up upgrading all the way to Platinum, as well as picking up the Lifetime Updates offer.  It is DEFINITELY a couple of costs to add to a given month's budget, but I believe you would be best served in the long term to make the upgrades (to Platinum, if both cannot be obtained in the time remaining).  Then again, if you do not see yourself using any of the additional features and functionality of Platinum over Professional, including 3rd-party plugins, then maybe it doesn't make sense.
 
I hope that no matter how you choose to move forward, that you find yourself with the tools you need to help you express yourself through music, and above all - have fun.  :)
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks for your time and help Bob... I will post over at the Store forum too
 
Freq

musicjohnnie
Hello all,
Just wondering if the Baker's will offer a sweet deal just before the expiration date on 
Lifetime upgrade. I have pro now, but may be talked into plat.
Just Saying. I would jump in a new York minute if lower offer was made. Even 20 bucks off would do.😉
MJ

Starting 8/25/2016, you get a free CA2A Leveling Amplifier. Unfortunately, I already bought all the compressors separately for my Pro version, so it's a little less sweet of a deal. At any rate, if you buy through Musician's Friend you might be able to skip the sales tax. So that's almost $20 off, and you get a free CA2A.
 
http://www.musiciansfrien...20platinum&index=2
 
 

If I upgrade to lifetime does that mean I don't have to pay monthly subscription fees anymore?
 
I call them subscription fees you all call them rolling updates.
 
I assume we are all talking about the same thing.
 
So if i update to lifetime before my subscription comes due this month I will not be required to pay this month's subscription fee I am assuming.

Well no one has answered yet, I imagine there are a lot of comments here to parse through. Well I counted my pennies and the change from the couch and bought the lifetime of updates. Hope I no longer have monthly Cakewalk charges. Cakewalk is worth it! Please if someone sees this reassure me there will be no monthly charges. Thanks!
 
Erm, don't forget Cakewalk charges for internet tax too! Not sure why.
 
:) 
 
mine was $199.00 + a little over $10.00 tax