No discount for existing customers for new builds
Its very disappointing that I've paid $20 for the upgrade protection for the last 5 years, only to have the next version come out after the covered 12 month period. Its even more disappointing to know that I've referred countless customers to Acronis who have also been suckered into this payment with no benefit. Every year for the past 5 years, my customers and myself have paid full price for each new version of TI and thrown an extra $20USD out the window.
Now I have a perfectly working version of True Image 2009 (works with all versions of Windows 7, Windows 2003 SBS, all versions of Vista, and all versions of XP... works on home networks and domain networks, works on USB devices, and hot bootable E-SATA devices).
My only incentive to buy the 2010 version is to understand the differences in order to support it and recommend it to my customers.
However, I can no longer justify paying full price for a new version just for those reasons. Nothing in technology will change enough in the next year to make 2009 obsolete. If I don't have 2010 to test myself, I won't be recommending it to any customers either. I certainly won't be advising any of my customers to upgrade from 2009 to 2010 when their current version is doing exactly what they need it to do.
In light of how Acronis has consistently failed to come out with a new release within 12 months (making the upgrade protection worthless), I would not recommend to any customer to purchase the upgrade protection. Worse, because of how Acronis offers no discount to existing customers for new versions (should something in technology change to require a new version), I am reluctant to advise a customer to purchase any of their products. When money is so tight for so many people, it makes more sense to look for free alternatives, or at least do business with manufacturers who reward their loyalty with discounts.
Maybe that's not important to Acronis, but if it is they need to do something about it. With many new free imaging software and disk partitioning software products becoming available, I'd think Acronis would want to preserve their customer base. But face it, if customer service and discounts to existing customers aren't included, Acronis's products no longer stand out for value.
I tried filling out a customer service form to express these opinions in case they wanted to keep my customers' business as well as my own. However the form (conveniently) does not work with IE8 or Opera 10. Its a shame that a company which once provided excellent customer service and the best product of this type in the world now seems to place little or no value on customer support and rewarding long time customers with discounts.
Sincerely,
David K Wendorf
Ultramax Custom Computers
I too am unhappy that having purchased a copy of True Image 2009 if I want to get True Image 2010 I have to pay the same price as a customer coming new to Acronis. Most other software I use will allow me to upgrade to the latest version at a discount compared to buying the software for the first time.
I will be checking out other backup software where there may be more interested in developing customer loyalty.
yours
Ed Freeman
Ed,
I don't understand what you mean. There is the option to purchase an upgrade on the Acronis US website costing $29.99 versus $49.99.
The gotcha is, despite the advertising banner on the product page, you won't get the (at the moment) free Plus Pack as that is only for purchasers of the full product. Weird I know, but thems the breaks.
Hi Colin
Thanks for your post - been going round and round the web page trying to find and 'upgrade' option - not under 'purchase', not there when you click directly on the links on the home page to True Image. But did eventually find it at. Thanks for spurring me on to look more closely - but would have been nice if link had been easier to find..
all the best
Ed
You can also add a coupon code to your order for an even better deal. http://www.allacronis.com/acronis-coupons.php
BTW I received several emails from Acronis offering an upgrade to TI 2010 with plus pack for for 29.95. I used a 10% off coupon
code so in the end I payed $26.99.
I also took advantage of an offer to get TI 2010 with plus pack for 29.99. Wish I had known about the coupon codes.