Update [3:37 PM]:
We did get a call back from Apple Spokesperson Russel Brady immediately after posting this story. Mr. Brady declined to comment on this issue.
[3:16 PM]
Yesterday, we reported on the release of AppleShare IP 6.2 but we missed a very important aspect of the release. Fortunately, many Observers were there to keep us on our toes and let us know that the pricing system for the new release is way out of kilter. According to Apple's press release, registered owners of AppleShare IP 6.0 and 6.1 have to pay full price to upgrade to version 6.2. Owners of version 6.1 who purchased the product after April 19th, but before June 15th are entitled to an upgrade price of US$19.95.
Here is the pricing information included in the press release.
AppleShare 4.x, 5.x or 6.x customers (with 10-, 50- or multi-client license) may purchase AppleShare IP 6.2 upgrade software for US $499 through the Apple Order Center at (800) 293-6617. Customers who purchased AppleShare IP 6.1 or a Macintosh Server G3 with AppleShare IP 6.1 between April 19 and June 19, 1999, can qualify to receive the AppleShare IP 6.2 Upgrade for US $19.95 plus tax. Details are available at www.apple.com/appleshareip.
This is the pricing information included at the above link.
Customers who purchased AppleShare IP 6.1, either as a software product or bundled with a Macintosh Server G3, between April 19, 1999 and June 19, 1999 qualify to receive an upgrade to AppleShare IP 6.2 for the cost of shipping and handling. All information, including the terms of this program are included in the upgrade coupon. If you qualify under the conditions noted in the coupon, you can download the AppleShare IP 6.1 to 6.2 Upgrade coupon for US customers or Canadian customers, fill it out, and mail it in. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of the program prior to sending in the coupon.
** This is a US and Canadian program only.
We also confirmed with the Apple Store that this pricing is the correct pricing. Calls to Apple PR spokespersons have not been returned as of this writing.
This is indeed an unusual pricing structure. Registered owners of version 6.x are asked to pay the full version price for upgrading. Most of the new features in the new version are not new features at all. Indeed, MacOS 8.6 compatibility is one of the biggest new features.
Here is what some Observers had to say on the subject:
$499 for a bug fix is getting all of us ASIP users where it hurts!
I cant believe apple would charge current users of ASIP 6.1 to pay $499 for a .1 upgrade!!
This is the worst tactic i have ever seen, can you guys shed some light on it??
Andy Boretto
I'm disappointed that your announcement of AppleShare IP 6.2's release didn't dig any deeper into the issue of the price. Most people are aware of the "twice as fast" argument's flaws. Many people, though, may not realize what a blatant rip-off the current pricing scheme is for upgrading to 6.2. I purchased AppleShare 5, went through all the revisions, still had problems with bugs in the software, was told to upgrade to 6.0, went through all the revisions to date, and the bugs STILL exist. Now I'm being asked to again fork over $500 for bug fixes?! This is ridiculous. Look at the "features" listed in 6.2 and compare them to 6.1 or 6.0. There's very little difference there.
I'm not the only one annoyed by this. The AppleShare IP mailing list is overflowing with people truly pissed about this pricing issue. I'd like to see Mac Observer do an article about current ASIP users' perceptions of this *new* ASIP 6.2. THAT might be a very interesting story indeed.
-CTP
Are you aware of the outcry by the ASIP server community relating to the paid ASIP 6.2 upgrade offered today by Apple. I am writing you to encourage you to look into the matter as I do not feel it is a good move on Apple's part and would like to see something change. Ultimately, there are several bugs yet outstanding in the 6.1.1 version. The majority of the ASIP users that have posted to the ASIP list today, including myself, feel this is an inappropriate place to leave the product. It was inappropriate with version 5.x of ASIP which now sits incomplete at version 5.0.4b (for the mail server component) and it is inappropriate now to leave v 6.1.1 unfixed. As I understand them, though I do not fight all of these bugs myself, there yet remain issues with a memory leak (fixed only by a res edit hack), FTP clients that cannot be disconnected, freezes whenever one selects "Web" in the Web & File server settings window in Web & File server Admin (fixable by an unsupported app offered by Una Daily of Apple), QuickTime extension bugs, and so on.
These issues must be resolved at the current version level. Then and only then should Apple be allowed to talk about a paid upgrade on "features". I can not think of another company that is allowed to make (non)working versions into working versions via paid upgrades only.
I find it difficult to believe that Apple wants to present the following message to its users: "Oh, your copy doesn't work, well, simply pay $1499 for an upgrade (the cost for my unlimited user lic) and then it will work."
Yet, after calling Apple's corporate Public Relations line at 408 996 1010 and speaking to Glen Green of Apple that is exactly where it stands. Apple will not give me any consideration towards a working version of ASIP other than that which they have already put on the table, a paid upgrade, AGAIN. Problem is, even if I would agree to pay for an upgrade to 6.2 what guarantee do I have that it will work? Apparently none. We have yet to have a final release bug free working version of ASIP. Upgrading based on wanting features is a joke in my consideration. I haven't even looked at the features since all I can see is the bug list.
Further complicating the issue are the network communication bugs fixed by MacOS 8.6. I am glad Dantz was able to save its reputation at least. Since ASIP 6.1.1 isn't supported on 8.6 and since ASIP 6.1.1 on MacOS 8.5.1 locks up in many networks (including mine) when copying files, it would be my contention that ASIP 6.1.1 (6.1.2) must also be made compatible with 8.6 to allow me the full server product for which I have already paid. If Apple wants to offer a free UPDATE to ASIP 6.2 to get me what I need, well, I only hope it works!
As a fellow publisher I urge you to look into this matter and thanks for a great website!
John M. Rauch
The Mac Observer Spin: Uhhh.... This just doesn't seem right. Owners of version 4.x amd 5.x shouldn't be asked to pay the FULL price for the upgrade, let alone owners of 6.x who have purchased the product during the last year. US$19.95 should be the upgrade price for these users too. Admittedly we don't have insight into what is going on behind the scenes at Apple. but customer service is customer service. It is not right to charge the full price for an upgrade.
In the past several months Apple has shown they will move from pricing positions that customers become outraged about (for instance the FireWire licensing issue). There are currently a bunch of AppleShare IP 6.x users who are extremely mad. Apple should reconsider their upgrade policy on this.
Also, this upgrade policy does not inspire confidence in people thinking of purchasing the product for the first time. Seeing that they may be charged for a full version just to upgrade could scare many potential AppleShare IP customers away.
Apple
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