Not happy with Acronis Upgrade and sales practices.

Just venting because I know no one at Acronis will care. Policy is policy afer all right?

The Acronis pricing structure forces many to not upgrade until a new version is available. I say forces, because some of us can't always afford to drop $80 a year on one software title. Let me explain:

Acronis sells on this site and mayby others for $50. If you are within a certain window, you get a free upgrade. If you are outside that window the upgrade is $30.

I bought my boxed copy from Amazon and had it delivered April 26, 2013. I got it for $30. Had I waited two months, I could be getting a free update.

I go to the website, see I'm not going to get a free update, so decide to buy the reduced price update. The update price for download is $30! Add the DVD to the order and your looking at $50!

How can Acronis sell these to places like Amazon, were they get sold for LESS than an upgrade price?

I don't want to waste my money, (But I like to be current on my software) and can't see paying $50 for a upgrade to a program I bought 4 months ago for $30.

What will happen is I will be forced to wait until it drops in price, then it will be a hit or miss as to whether or not I'm within the free upgrade period. At best, I'll get the upgrade, but there's more than a 50% chance I'll be forced to use outdated software again.

As buggy as 2013 was for me, I assume 2014 has stabilty and program enhancements that I should have recieved from 2013. Why should I pay a total of $80 in less than one years time to get this?

My opinion is that the window of opportunity should be tiered, based on how far back from the date of purchace you are out if a new version comes out. A cut and dry 40 days is not fair. I've had this software for 4 months, bought it from an authorized dealer, regardless of price. Now it's outdated and Acronis expects me to pony up more than what I originally paid for the newest version. Had they announced a new version was on its way with a release date, I may have waited.

As a 40 something engineer, who is also a computer enthusiatic, I can tell you I will be looking around to see what the competition is doing and reading up on thier policys. I like Acronis, always have. But don't alienate any segment of your customer base (who works with IT people, and other professionals daily). Word of mouth can EVENUALLY cost sales if someone else is doing it just a little bit better than you. You give a little to thise who loyally come back.

Flame away, I'm done venting.