Title pretty much says it all.
Having sworn I would never be back, I got tempted by the $25 upgrade offer.
Bought it at JRRShop.com and predictably, nothing in my Cakewalk account to show me how I get the download or even where to enter the licence code I have.
 
Anyone managed to do this yet? If so, what am I too dumb to see?
 
I did write support, but unless things have changed a lot recently I am not expecting a reply any time real soon.
 
Oh, and HI to any of the old stagers who remember me flouncing off shortly after X1 was announced! (grinz)

Couple of thoughts:
 
1.  When you go to the Cakewalk Store, are you selecting the correct Region?
 
2.  Did you check your email for any download links?  (Perhaps spam folder as well), and is the email address connected to your Cakewalk account a valid email address?
 
3.  While it may not be convenient or cost-effective to phone technical support, with you being in the UK, you DO have enough posts to allow you sending Private Messages to folks like Noel, Bothwick or Ryan Munnis.  They have been VERY helpful to the small number of folks who have asked them for assistance in resolving registration/download issues.  This may be your best bet, if the first couple of thoughts I listed above do not resolve things for you.
 
I am not at all sure why you seem bitter/disappointed (or something else) with regard to your past experiences with Sonar and/or Cakewalk - and I do not need to know.  I would suggest that by all accounts, both here in the forum and out on the web, Sonar X3e (particularly Producer Edition) is being regarded as one of, if not THE, best released version of Sonar - perhaps ever.
 
X3e does not have any 'show stopper' crashes that I am aware of, and has a rich, useful, and powerful set of features and add-ons.
 
For any issues/questions that arise, the forum has been extremely cooperative and thorough in helping folks get things figured out.
 
Lastly, per some posted content from the Cakewalk folks, the largest set of reported issues with X3e are actually problems with 3rd-party plugins, and not with Sonar itself, so please consider that prior to jumping to any conclusions with regard to the stability of X3e.
 
I hope this works for you, 
 
Bob Bone
 

I believe when purchased from a third party all you receive is a code which must be entered on this page http://www.cakewalk.com/Redeem to get the product added to your store account

What I don't understand is why some people buy it from a 3rd party vendor when you can buy it directly in the Cakewalk store? It was pretty easy to spend my money there. 
And yes the customer service is top notch as far as my dealing have been. I've never had to phone them but Ryan jumped on my download issue with in an hour and sorted it out. And that was after hours! 
 
And it is to be noted that yesterdays deal  is for only plain Jane X3. I personally would spend the extra and get Studio. Well worth the few extra dollars. 

Cactus Music
What I don't understand is why some people buy it from a 3rd party vendor when you can buy it directly in the Cakewalk store?

JRRShop generally offers an additional discount on their published prices. Some may buy from third paries because they receive marketing materials from them and are unaware of sales at the Cakewalk store. Maybe the exchange rate is be better elsewhere. I am sure there are other reasons. It really does not matter the redemption code process works, it is up to the vendor to make the process clear when emailing the codes.

Cactus Music
What I don't understand is why some people buy it from a 3rd party vendor when you can buy it directly in the Cakewalk store? It was pretty easy to spend my money there. 
 

Probably because it's nearly always cheaper elsewhere and many other retailers don't screw UK customers for an even higher price to cover "exchange rate fluctuations".

scook
I believe when purchased from a third party all you receive is a code which must be entered on this page http://www.cakewalk.com/Redeem to get the product added to your store account

+1 I completely forgot about this option.
 
This indeed might apply to you.
 
Bob Bone
 

I bet if we hear anything else it's going to be that he didn't realise the price I was for the base version of Sonar.

I do wish Cakewalk would change that as it does seem a bit misleading, even if it was just called X3 Basic.

mudgel
I bet if we hear anything else it's going to be that he didn't realise the price I was for the base version of Sonar.

I do wish Cakewalk would change that as it does seem a bit misleading, even if it was just called X3 Basic.

Yes, and it's particularly misleading when the offer is directed via email to existing Sonar Producer users. When people say "Sonar", I always think about the Producer Edition and don't immediately consider other cut-down editions.

Thanks for the tip on how to do it, SCOOK, but sadly the Cake system is now saying I have an invalid registration number.
EDIT: *YAY* after three attempts, the system accepted my number and I have download links!  
Currently in France till June 1 with minimal internet, so I may have to find the nearest MacDonalds and see if I can download over the next few days. Super size me! (grin).
 
And to all you wise, welcoming folks:  
Yes, I DID know I was getting the base version.
Nothing in  Studio or Producer that I care to have right now, plus JRR shop saved me a few bucks (also they let me pay in USD, saving even more) and since I have dealt with them for years, I trust them.
If the honeymoon works out OK, I might upgrade later. This is a dipping toe in water after a long absence, not some newb jumping in with  both feet.