'Cleverbridge' should be renamed 'Not-so-Cleverbridge'
I have owned Acronis True Image since 2011, updating every year.
Now I go to buy an upgrade to 2017, and Cleverbridge responds: "Payment not authorized"
I never had a problem in the past. I expect it is because I am now using a VPN (so my ISP can't collect and sell my personal data), even though the VPN proxy IP Address is in the same city in which I live (Sydney). I should not have to disable my VPN just to buy some software - most other online shopping sites don't block VPN purchases.
Unless, of course, Acronis are getting Cleverbridge to filter such purchasers out so that Acronis can:
1/ Engage in Geo-pricing .... Australians pay 50% more (in $US equivalent) than USA and EU customers.
2/ Collect my real IP Address and other personal information, possibly for sale\share\lease\swap with 'trusted partners'.
Australians find geo-pricing highly offensive and insulting. We are not rich, and any perceived wealth we may have had has been siphoned off by all the geo-pricing multi-nationals.
I could walk into a shop, pay cash, and not have hand over personal information - why do I have to hand over personal information online?
I have decided not to upgrade Acronis True Image. The old copy will do. Maybe I will find a free substitute in future years.
..... Para Dox


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It is difficult to comment on relative pricing for Acronis when you use AU site rather than another. There are times when it is cheaper to use the AU site than the international site. Unless there is a delay, Cleverbridge should start charging GST for Australian users from 1 July 2017; it is uncelar if they have been doing so up to now, but I suspect not. Another thing to be careful of is that the sales are processed by Cleverbridge Ireland, and even if the transaction is in AU$ you credit card provider may treat it as a FC transaction and hit you with fee and commission. The only safe card to use at the moment is Amex (not a third party Amex).
Ian
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